Microsoft clears up Windows 98 SE/SP1 confusion

Microsoft Corporation has come under a lot of criticism for the confusiongenerated by this week's announcement of a new consumer version of Windowsand the various plans its released for its upcoming Windows 98 SecondEdition (SE) and Windows 98 Service Pack 1 (SP1). In an attempt to clear upthe confusion, the company has issued a statement further explaining theirplans.

Microsoft will deliver Windows 98 SP1 "in the next few months." This servicepack will be available for free download from the Windows Update Web siteand will include bug fixes (such as the Y2K update and IE 4.01 SP) and othersupport issues.

Windows 98 SE will ship this summer and will sell at retail for $89,replacing the current version of Windows 98 in stores. Windows 98 SEincludes a host of new features, including Internet Explorer 5.0, InternetConnection Sharing (ICS), and support for new hardware.

Existing Windows 98 users do not have to spend $89 to purchase Windows 98SE. Microsoft is going to offer a special "Step Up" CD for existing Windows98 users for order from its Web site. This CD, which will cost $19.95, willupgrade the retail version of Windows 98 to Windows 98 SE and will include abooklet describing the new features and how they work.

Hopefully, this information will set a few minds at peace. Rumors have beenfloating all over the Net this week that Microsoft was forcing Windows 98users to spend $89 on a small update, but that's simply not the case