9x open source after expiration of os?

[dew7]

98, 98SE and ME are going to expire on 30 June 2006.  What do you think their future should be.  Please Vote!  

 

[Louisiana Night]

I think they should and will keep it as their property.

Personally, with Microsoft finally merging their two lines of Windows together, I wouldn't want to see another Windows OS causing trouble with compatibility ( which is the only reason I use Windows ) .

That, and if it were to go open-source, it would obviously lack Microsoft support ( which is what makes Windows, Windows ). So even if people decided to make a modern OS out of the 9x code, it would still lack the major advantage of Windows ( Microsoft support ).

[Oldbushie]

Microsoft support is an oxymoron. Besides, support is oging to be dropped for 98SE anyway, that's what "expire" means.

I've never had to use their support much anyway...
I say 98SE should go open source so that the few minor problems it has can be resolved and so that the OS can be compressed and cleaned up. Then it will go much smoother. XP and 98SE have most of the same capabilities, there's only one or two major things XP has that 98SE doesn't have.

[Yonkey]

I would say it should remain their property until they decide to sell it (or get bought out by another company).  

Asking them to make their source open source is like asking Coca-Cola or Kentucky Fried Chicken to reveal their formulas & secret receipes.  They would be allowing competitors to use and improve their own code.  If the competitors are good, they could eventually drive them out of business!

[dew7]

True, Neil but I feel Microsoft has a responsibility to computer innovation in the States to allow the 9x line to go open source after 30 June 2006 or grant another extension of support (not going to happen I think) or realize 98SE is really popular and change course and start supporting 9x through a Classics line.  I work as a Target Team Member Specialist and am involved with Microsoft in testing Windows and giving them ideas as a so-called by me LOL -- "Volunteer Systems Consultant" for future Windows versions.  Microsoft is very helpful and gives me lots of support in return for my feedback and running their os's through my computer network at home and work.  My real name is Daniel.  Now Everyone Knows.  LOL!!  No Fear because I know God is with me and then who can stand up against the power of God.  Certainly not people.  LOL

(I hope this post is not offensive -- feel free to edit -- you have my permission)

[dew7]

Personally, with Microsoft finally merging their two lines of Windows together, I wouldn't want to see another Windows OS causing trouble with compatibility ( which is the only reason I use Windows ) .

You should stop using Windows, LN.  Microsoft has not merged the lines.  They just will drop 98, 98SE and ME to save money.  Follow the money.  LOL!!
NT is entirely seperate.  Please read my post about in in Haven under Windows topic for information.  

 

[Drunken Chinchilla]

True, Neil but I feel Microsoft has a responsibility to computer innovation in the States to allow the 9x line to go open source after 30 June 2006 or grant another extension of support (not going to happen I think) or realize 98SE is really popular and change course and start supporting 9x through a Classics line.  I work as a Target Team Member Specialist and am involved with Microsoft in testing Windows and giving them ideas as a so-called by me LOL -- "Volunteer Systems Consultant" for future Windows versions.  Microsoft is very helpful and gives me lots of support in return for my feedback and running their os's through my computer network at home and work.  My real name is Daniel.  Now Everyone Knows.  LOL!!  No Fear because I know God is with me and then who can stand up against the power of God.  Certainly not people.  LOL

(I hope this post is not offensive -- feel free to edit -- you have my permission)

I really DO NOT understand you Dew. You've been told time after time not to make religious comments and yet you continue to make them and seem to think they are justifiable by putting your obligatory "feel free to edit" comment at the end.

How about you just not make them in the first place? Is it really that hard to keep some comments in your head?

[Yonkey]

Dew, please check your PM box and abide by the rules.

Thanks.

[dew7]

I finally understand and will comply.  Thank you for helping me to see the light, Alex and Neil.  I greatly appreciate your wisdom and courage.  Have an awesome day. <meekly smiles>

[Storm]

Ok, let me state this once and for all:
Microsoft will NEVER EVER release 9.x as open source OR sell it to ANY of its competitors.
Not in a million years, not when hell freezes over, not even if Bill Gates turned into a monk and gave all his earthly possessions to charity.

And why is that?
Simple! Microsoft is a CORPORATION, built for a single purpose - to make MONEY. LOTS AND LOTS OF MONEY. Selling OR releasing 9.x as open source would be 'putting weapons in the hands of their enemies' as they might end up having to compete with the very OS they spent so much MONEY creating, and Competition = Lower sales+Lower prices = Less MONEY for Microsoft. This would defy the very purpose for which Microsoft was created (to make MONEY, remember?).

Also, Microsoft will not extend their support for the 9.x products for longer than they're legally bound to, because doing so would cost them MONEY. The average lifespan of software, any piece of software, is 5 years. 9.x products are well over that, which makes them outdated by default (if not otherwise), and you can't force developers to support their software indefinately (not even if they're called Microsoft and can afford it).

Now, as for what I think Microsoft SHOULD do -
Not only do I think they SHOULD support 9.x products indefinately, they SHOULD also distribute it free of charge, complete with a service pack that would make them backward-compatible with all DOS and Win3.x applications.
Furthermore, Microsoft SHOULD wire 20 million US$ into my bank account every year. This would make me & mine extremely happy, not to mention my bank manager