Do you need Windows 98?

Do you need Windows 98?
By: Scott Hendison � Published: July 1998

By the time you read this, millions of Americans will have upgraded their computer operating systems to Microsoft Windows 98. There are also millions more who have not, and do not intend to upgrade any time soon. The question is, do you really need to move up to the newest version?
First, let's be clear about Windows 98. There are 3 primary elements to the newest version: a new option for hard drive management (called FAT 32), Internet Explorer 4 and new hardware support.

FAT 32 is probably the most compelling reason to upgrade. Without going into substantial techno-babble, it manages the files on your hard drive in a much more efficient manner. The old system (FAT 16) has become increasingly inefficient as hard drive sizes have grown to their current levels. If you have a hard drive over 540MB, you would see significant savings in the amount of space used by the filing system. However, keep in mind that many old programs will not run on a FAT 32 system.

Internet Explorer 4 been available as a free download for some time now. Depending on your modem speed and the quality of your connection, it may take quite awhile to download, but, hey, free is free. Certainly there is no good reason to pay for Win 98 just to get that. Explorer is controversial in its' own right, but that would take to long to go into here. If you want it, you can just go get it now.

Finally, there are the hardware enhancements. This will be important if you are buying the latest greatest hardware as it hits the shelves. If you're not making major upgrades to brand new technology soon, then there's no rush.

Speaking of rush, my suggestion is that you give this new release at least a few weeks before you buy it. There is a growing outcry from many computer users about the poor quality of new software releases. Many recent programs have had patches posted on the Web on almost the same day they were released.

One source claims that there are already more than a dozen patches for Windows 98 ready to go on June 25th. One way to get a message to the powers-that-be is to not rush out to buy new versions on their release date. Let somebody else be the guinea pig. Microsoft has certainly spent a good deal of time with thousands of beta testers, but the final test will be when it hits the general public. Win 95 certainly had some significant problems when it was first released. Why do you think there were B and C versions?

So, if you've got Win 95 version A, or you're ready to make the big move from Win 3.1, or you have a need for the latest and greatest hardware as soon as it is released, you should seriously consider buying Win 98. If you don't fit those criteria, why not sit back and watch the fun for awhile before you get into the game?

note 2007:

Scott Hendison is the CEO of Search Commander. He is a former Portland computer store retailer that built a local on-site service business through Pay Per click and organic search engine optimization. In 2003, he started focusing exclusively on search marketing.

Today he is a search engine marketing consultant that serves clients in 5 countries, who find him on the front page of most search engines for "internet consultant" and related phrases.