Windows 98, ME support in Online Armor

[MikeNash]

Hi Everyone,

I'm looking at the roadmap for Online Armor and I am revisiting the question of continued support for Windows 98 and ME.

As you know, Online Armor is one of the few programs that still supports the older versions of Windows. As we proceed with Kernel Mode (which will not work on win9x) it means that a lot of the work will be doubled. We'll need to write a windows 2000/XP version, AND a Windows 98/ME version.

We're not regularly contacted by people who use Windows98 - most of our users seem to be on XP these days - so while it's nice to be "one of the few" - I don't think we're selling any OA based on this.

So I thought we'd throw it out to you. What version of windows do you use? Do you use Windows 98 and depend on Online ARmor, or are you on a later version of windows.

I'll leave this poll up until early next week. If you have an opinion one way or the other, feel free to post. Feel free also just to vote to help me reach the right decision.


Cheers

Mike

EDIT: Please make people you think may be interested aware of this poll. The more feedback, the better for this decision I think

[Peter2150]

Mike

I think the way to go is possibly stop 9X support at version 1.xxx and make it a free version. Then carry on with 2.0 for later OS's only. You are going to be doing things in kernel mode you just can't duplicate effectively for the 9x boxes. This is the approach SSM has just taken and it does make sense.

If folks with 9x boxes want the latest and greatest it will take them also gettng the latest and "greatest" OS

Pete

[couldbe]

hi,

sorry i know there are those out there desperately nee protection for older operationd systems like from ME back. but i also know they they arte where they are for two reasons lack of funds and lack of knowledge and support.

so it doesn't make for a very strong business model to support the older systems but your support was appreciated

couldbe

[Puddingalien]

agree with pete.
wrap it up and free it to those systems then move on.
minimal support if something comes up but mostly just should go forward.

[beetlejuice]

What Pete said. Plus people need to get into the 21st century. I don`t think the amount of 98 machines left out there warrant the continuation of a software that`s going to cost more to develope then what the price of the software is. JMO.

[MaB69]

I agree with Peter and all that agree with him :lol:

Kernel Mode will be closed for 9x system :oops:

[MikeNash]

So far the poll looks clear on the decision.

Pete's idea is a good one - so at this point, we'll plan to break off Win98 support (freeze development on the win9x version) at some stage in the near future.

[bellgamin]

I think the way to go is possibly stop 9X support at version 1.xxx and make it a free version. YES!!!

Now here's a MAH-velous business model...
1) Produce Win9x that is riddled with security holes.
2) Cease to provide security patches for 9x, thereby forcing obsolesence.
3) Initiate FUD posts about 9x dangers, pushing users to XP
4) Produce WinXP that is riddled with security holes.
5) Continue to provide XP security patches (for a little while at least)
6) Produce & sell anti-malware programs to deal with the XP holes you yourself enabled but didn't plug or patch.
7) Produce Vista & commence astroturfing in public forums
8} Repeat steps 2 & 3 for XP, to force users to move to Vista.

If folks with 9x boxes want the latest and greatest it will take them also gettng the latest and "greatest" OS PeteI totally agree with Pete's inferential suggestion that all wise users should upgrade to LINUX!!! For the latest & "greatest" OS I suggest either Xandros or Ubuntu or Mandriva.

As a side note, there are many websites that suggest switching to Internet Explorer 5 or better. In light of that sound advice, I switched to something that is MUCH better -- K-meleon. 8) :P

[MikeNash]

:D

Love it!

[munckman]

Mike, We have a 98 Box and I Tolerate it (no real choice). Along with the Xp Box, the 98 enables my Family to be online together. Networked to-boot and on Dialup; this is fantastic.

Having said that, I do Not think OA should officially support Windows 98. The time and effort is appreciated but unwarranted. You can't make a better mouse trap if the cheese is moldy.

[MikeNash]

Mike, We have a 98 Box and I Tolerate it (no real choice). Along with the Xp Box, the 98 enables my Family to be online together. Networked to-boot and on Dialup; this is fantastic.

Having said that, I do Not think OA should officially support Windows 98. The time and effort is appreciated but unwarranted. You can't make a better mouse trap if the cheese is moldy.

Well, the decision is basically made, so we just need to find a sensible place to leave things.

[Peter2150]

BTW. No inferential suggestion users should upgrade to Linux was intended in my comment. :D I use XP pro, have never tried Linux and don't intend at this point to experiment. (well not totally true, the acronis rescue CD does use linux)

[MikeNash]

BTW. No inferential suggestion users should upgrade to Linux was intended in my comment. :D I use XP pro, have never tried Linux and don't intend at this point to experiment. (well not totally true, the acronis rescue CD does use linux)

At the risk of putting temptation in your path - if you're running a small business network of a couple of PCs, you could do worse than run up an IPCOP firewall. It's a specialised Linux distro and it is very, very cool.

[Peter2150]

BTW. No inferential suggestion users should upgrade to Linux was intended in my comment. :D I use XP pro, have never tried Linux and don't intend at this point to experiment. (well not totally true, the acronis rescue CD does use linux)

At the risk of putting temptation in your path - if you're running a small business network of a couple of PCs, you could do worse than run up an IPCOP firewall. It's a specialised Linux distro and it is very, very cool.

Do I detect a tiny taunt in this. ROFL

[MikeNash]

Do I detect a tiny taunt in this. ROFL

Peter, I would never do such a thing! If I were taunting you I'd merely point out that Linux has a whole lot of security software that you haven't yet tested, and that the only way to test it would be to install Linux on that shiny new PC of yours, when it arrives :twisted: