Computer Shopper - UK (2021-01)

(Antfer) #1

RANTS&RAVES


ISSUE395|COMPUTER SHOPPER|JANUARY2021 15


SO,FAREWELLTHEN,Windows 98. Rest in peace.When you were
born, you made gettingonline easier,you made using large hard
disks possible,and you were easier to install. Youhad anew desktop
system that not only allowed users to displayweb content live from
slow and expensive dial-up connections, but regularly caused the
system to crash. Youhelped destroyNetscape’s business with your
integrated web browser,simultaneously heralding the beginning of
years of security problems forWindows users, and your integrated
Media Player software was judged to be anti-competitive,too.So,
farewell then, Windows 98. Rotinpieces.
After eight years Microsofthas finally pulled the plug on
Windows 98. No longer will the company provide updates, even if
(or rather,when) further security holes are discovered. The same
goes forWindows Me.That’s OK, though, because no-one uses
Windows 98/Me any more.No-one except the estimated remaining
70 million users.
So who is still using Windows 98 these days? My guess would be
amixture of people who are non-technical and those who can’t

affordto buy anew PC every fewyears. The original
datefor the termination of Windows 98 support
was 2003, and it is thought that pleas from the
developing world persuaded Microsofttocontinue
issuing updates forafurther three years. There will
also be plenty of people who could afford anew
omputer but don’t see any reason to do so –ifitstill
works, then why worry?
If these people don’t use the internet, then there is no real
reason to upgrade.Aslong as they’re happywiththeir PC’s
performance,don’t sharefiles with anyone and don’t try anything
clever with wireless networks, then theyshould be reasonably
safetocontinue.
Fornow you can still buy Windows 98-compatible firewalls
and anti-virus software,and the free Firefoxweb browser is also
available fromwww.mozilla.org,somost of the internet risks can be
reduced, even if you do want to browse the web and collect email
safely using your old computer.
Radio 5Live called me this month to find out if listeners should
just buy anew Windows XP PC and have done with it. Iwanted to
say, “No, just keep your third-party security software up to date,
install adifferentweb browser and email client and it will all be OK”.
But the truth is that buying anew computer is the easiest way
forward. The fact that you can buy areasonable Dell laptop for
£399 makes the decision easier still.
OriginallypublishedinShopper

MYRAVEMAYcomeasasurprisetosomepeoplebecauseI
suspectthatitismostlythecauseofrants.
Myraveisthe‘Microsoftsupportservices’call–therelatively
regularoccurrencethatI,andagreatwhackofreadersandthe
population, receive on adaily basis.
Theyare aterrible thing, amoney-sucking trick from acriminal
underworld that wants to steal from you, confuse you and probably
ruin your computer.Theydon’t care if youare apolicemen or a
pensioner.Aslong as you might fall fortheir confidence trick, you
are just their kind of person.
Iamnot likely to fall fortheir confidence trick, Ihavesome time
on my hands, the call doesn’t cost me anything, so Ihavetaken to
seeing it as something of adaily,orbi-daily,treat.
Iworkathome in what alot of people would call the sticks. Iam
married, my wifeworks –not at home –and Ispend agreat deal of
my time not talking to anyone except adog and my laptop.
The laptop is the worst of the pair to talk to,but it has never
upped and walked awaywhile Idiscussed my daywithit, and it has
never leapt up and started barking at the car park and aneighbour.
My laptop has also never begun to wash itself during achat, plus it

as never farted in that waythat only adog can while
nthe confines of my small, packed office.However,I
can take the dog out forawalk, and she is usually
good forsome interaction.
Home-based interaction is generally low though, so
pretty muchlookforward to the interruption of the
rill landline ringtone.Not just because of the scam-
g, but also because sometimes my wifewillring, or
my parents. Whoever is calling, Ialwaysrush to that phone.
Early disappointments –caused by non-mum or wifecalls, but
sub-continental enquiries intomyMicrosoftPC–rathertook the
shine off these calls, and forawhile Istopped answering the home
telephone.This worked well until Imissed avery important call: not
quitePhone aFriend onMillionaire,but pretty important anyway.
So over time Ihavehoned my telephone answering skills. If Iam
not expecting aphone call, have already spoken to my mother or
wifethat day, andthe phone rings, Iquickly check my list of
made-up companies with which to answer the phone,take adeep
breath, and give them my best response.
Aquick burst of “International goat rescue: What is the nature of
your goat emergency?”,ablast of “MicrosoftSupport Services:
Criminal Investigation Division”, or something like “David Neal’s
Linux Emporium and MicrosoftVacuum” will usually cool off the
caller and send down the handset.
It’s fun forme, and probably annoying forthem. The important
thing to remember is that it keeps me amused, and that Microsoft
would never,ever,ever,ever,callyou up about aproblem with your
PC. It’s farmore likely to avoid wanting to talk about it.
OriginallypublishedinShopper

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