>Much easier if they could order their new PC with Win98 installed, or at least provided as the OS for the system they just bought.

But we've been through this with every OS upgrade.

There was a time when people "couldn't buy" Win2000. But you know what? If you tell that Dell sales rep you're going elsewhere unless they sell the machine with Win2000, it suddenly becomes available.

Same thing now. If WinXP works for you, buy your new machine with WinXP. If the salesman says "not available", threaten (and be willing) to buy elsewhere. It'll suddenly become available.

If you want to stick with old software, go whole hog.