Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition

May 18, 1999 - Microsoft® announced the release of Windows® 98 Second Edition. This release includes many improvements to the Windows 98 operating system, but is it enough to charge us?According to Microsoft: Windows 98 Second Edition will be available in a retail box as well as preinstalled on personal computers beginning this summer (1999). Estimated retail pricing for Windows 98 Second Edition for Windows 95 and Windows 3.1 users is $109 (U.S.), the current estimated retail price of Windows 98. Current users of the Windows 98 operating system can receive the updated functionality by ordering Windows 98 Second Edition Updates on CD-ROM, scheduled to be available from the Microsoft Web site in the summer, for $19.95 plus shipping and handling.

We'll let you be the judge. Below are some of the "enhancements" of Windows 98 Second Edition:(Note: Everything below here in italics is our opinion of the different enhancements)

Making it work better by enhancing hardware support and improving the initial PC user experience. (Isn't this something that all service packs are supposed to do?)

Delivering home networking capabilities through Internet Connection Sharing, advanced technologies that enable multiple users to seamlessly and securely access the Web at the same time, using a single shared Internet connection.

Delivering an improved online experience with enhanced Internet browsing, conferencing and multimedia technologies that provide a faster and easier way to take advantage of all that the Internet has to offer.