Comments on: Windows NT 4 support to come at price in '05

Microsoft will sell custom support to those still using the OS when extended support ceases at end of 2004.

Good, I'll move to openldap that much quicker

I'm seeing Microsoft as forcing people to choose their platform. It could be a good upcoming year for Linux openldap/samba moves. Most organizations are small and can't afford the expense of 2 year upgrade cycles. Not only that, I have learned that by learning Linux I don't throw away everything I've learned 2 years ago.

Just some rambling.

[rjdohnert]

Upgrades

This is not a forced upgrade. Windows NT 4 is 8 years old. It has reached its end. If you feel like Microsoft ends support to quickly, call Red Hat tell them you need support for Red Hat Linux 5.x or 6.x I can hear the laughter now.

[David Arbogast]

Say what??

Microsoft drops support for something 8-9 years old and you call it a sign that MS is forcing people to use Windows. I don't even have to logically rebut that statement, it is so wrong.

You said that organizations can't afford a 2 year upgrade cycle.
I'm guessing that this is a suggestion to avoid Linux????

Lets look at the Linux kernel release schedule, shall we?
V 1.0 1994
V 1.2 1995
V 2.0 1996
V 2.2 1999
V 2.4 2001
V 2.6 2003
Average: <2 years

Okay, now Windows:
NT 3.51 1995
NT 4.0 1996
Win 2000 2000
Win 2003 2003
Average: >2 years

[Ubber geek]

upgrade cycles

http://www.analogstereo.com/nakamichi/nakamichi_582_service_manual.htm

[zaznet]

The need to upgrade.

There is often no need to upgrade a given platform. Upgrades come because those resposible for making the decision to upgrade are not always the most technical. If you don't know that you need to upgrade, ask the guy developing the application you are running if it is needed. Often times the developers are able to get everything they need done on an older platform.

I am certain I can create a better slide show presentation on Harvar Graphics for DOS using a 386 with 4MB of RAM and no mouse than the average office secretary who has less than a year PC experience armed with a 3GHz Pentium 4 running Windows XP and the latest Office suite.

Those who intend to use and support a non-Microsoft supported Microsoft OS need to archive as much of the still available utilities and knowledge base articles as possible before they vanish from public access.

I think Microsoft has an unrealistic product life-cycle in general. It is designed to match their profits growth goals. When you have as many systems running your product as they do, you can't hope to increase at the same rate you have been without replacing what you have already sold.

I expect Microsoft to suffer from some major growing pains in the next three years if they lose their lifecycle plans.

[rjdohnert]

Actually

I find their lifecycle for NT 4 to be quite adequate. I side with Microsoft on this, NT 4 is dead time to move on. For those who dont, their are alternatives.