Tech

Blue screen of death

Tonight I tried to help my neighbour get her Windows 98 computer connected to broadband. I'll be back tomorrow for another go.

The PC industry should be more honest when supplying computers. Right next to the "Designed for Windows" stickers that adorn the latest machines should be one that warns "useless after three years".

I don't mean this to be criticism of Microsoft. It's a complaint that can be levelled against the entire industry. We put out half-baked products, patching and fixing them in the field. After two or three years we ignore them. If you're still using them five years later you're on your own.

If you ask suppliers they'll tell you the expected lifetime of a tecnology. It's just a shame (or a sham?) this is never mentioned when you buy.