Helping people with computers... one answer at a time.
Still running Windows 98? You're at higher risk of problems with malware and diminishing support from software vendors. I'll look at what to consider.
I am having problems finding an antivirus for Windows 98 (Sorry, but it still works for what I need). AVG discontinued support for Windows 98, so I switched to Avast. And now Avast sent me an email saying "Windows 98 is no longer supported." I'm also concerned about downloading some malware from a site that offers free antivirus. Am I condemned to getting a new computer? I can get a rebuilt computer with Windows XP installed) at a local computer store. Or should I just buy a new one with Windows 7? I really do not like Microsoft's profit system of coming out with a new OS every 2 years. Has Linux improved since your last update? My son runs Linux on the net, and he downloads Utube, etc. fast.
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While I disagree with your assessment of Microsoft's motives, whether we agree or disagree the bottom line is that at some point it's just time to move on.
It's probably past time.
There are some real risks now to continuing to run Windows 95, 98 or Me. Unless you're in some very specific situations, something else is called for.
I also wouldn't call it "condemned", unless faster and safer and more
capable is your idea of hell. 
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The Problem
As you've seen, software vendors are dropping support for Windows older 9x versions (95, 98 and Me). I'm surprised that the ones you mention hung on as long as they did. For various reasons, it's a lot of extra work and expense to keep those old versions running. I'm sure they feel that their efforts are better spent on more current versions that are being used by more people. I can't say I disagree.
Microsoft dropped support for Windows 9x some time ago, pretty much for the same reasons. It's significant extra cost and work for an ever dwindling number of users.
The upshot is that you're vulnerable. Vulnerable to malware of various sorts. Even with a working anti-virus package, you're still vulnerable as those versions of Windows are simply not getting fixed any more. As new vulnerabilities are found they're ... left alone.
And, of course, once they're found, hackers do what hackers do ... exploit them.
The Solution
There are three directions to take this, and all have validity depending on your own needs and abilities.
Linux: I can't say whether it's right for you, but Linux has been coming along nicely in recent years. I continue to recommend Ubuntu, but particularly on older machines there are also distributions that are much smaller. You won't sidestep the lack of support issue, though, as even Linux versions are eventually mothballed as newer versions come out.
If keeping your existing hardware is of utmost importance, as is the cost of an upgrade, the Linux may very well be worth investigating.
Windows XP: the minimum version of Windows that I would recommend to anyone now is XP with SP3 applied. It can run on a machine with 256 megabytes of RAM (I wouldn't recommend less), and 20-30 gigabytes of hard disk space. If that's your Win 98 machine, then I'd claim that a trial might well be worth it. The refurbished machine as a cost saving measure is actually a pretty good idea if you're cash sensitive. You'll at least get yourself to a place where you can do what you need to do and feel pretty safe doing it.
Windows 7: naturally the longest lasting investment will be to bite the bullet and update to Windows 7. If you can afford it, if you can handle the change (coming from Win 98 you'll experience quite a number of changes), it's the path I recommend. I don't think you have to spend a lot on a machine, just make sure that it's expandable - most importantly in RAM - get 2gigs minimum, but make sure that someday if you need to you can upgrade it to at least 8.
The Exception
There actually is a scenario where it really does make sense to keep that Windows 98 machine, but I'm guessing it's not your scenario.
If it's not online. If it's fairly isolated and not likely to come into contact with the various means that malware propagates, then it might well make sense to keep it going.
But as I said, that's a fairly uncommon scenario these days.
Windows 98 was great in it's day - but that day has passed.
Article C4391 - August 8, 2010
Leo A. Notenboom has been playing with computers since he
was required to take a programming class in 1976. An 18 year career as a programmer at Microsoft soon followed.
After "retiring" in 2001, Leo started Ask Leo! in 2003 as a place for answers
to common computer and technical questions. More about Leo.
Oh, I forgot to say that for protection I switched from McAfee (paid for) to (free of charge) MS Security Essentials when it came out, no problems apparent so far.
Posted by: Nick at August 11, 2010 12:31 PMl fully agree with Craig: "if it ain't broke don't fix it". As long as your OS is doing the job to you satisfaction, why change? Here is a switch: l installed Win 3.11 on a Dell Optiplex P4 1.8 Gb 5 years ago because my old computer bit the dust. When l bought the Dell l dumped XP that was on it and have been running 3.11 ever since. The reason? All my familiar software would not run on XP, so l would have to replace them too...Another bonus: the computer is ready for action in 45 sec. l could shave off another 20 sec of that if l could figure out how to get rid of GoBack3, which makes the computer sit for 20 sec before it continues (it says internal version, maybe in BIOS ?)Starting off MS Word: 1 sec same with XL.
Posted by: John at August 11, 2010 7:06 PMOnly drawback is that l cannot access the web but l have other computers for that, computers that run XP and take up to 2 1/2 miutes to boot...a minute to shut down...Talking about speed demons!
Stick with what you got and be happy...
Regards,
John
Switch to a Mac and you'll never go back.
Posted by: Steve at August 13, 2010 2:47 PMI suspect that Puppy Linux or DSL (D*mn Small Linux) would be worth investigating on that hardware. While XP will "run" on 256 RAM, it needs a huge page file and is often very slow, especially on 98 machines that often have less than a 1Ghz processor.
An off-lease (refurbished) XP machine would make sense on a budget.
Posted by: 1101doc at August 13, 2010 5:21 PMAlthough not mentioned here, there are some very solid reasons for running old software. I have some clients with businesses that run on a single application and they are perfectly happy with DOS programs that do exactly what they want.
Posted by: Carlos Coquet at August 28, 2010 4:09 AMIn some instances, programs depend on hardware whose manufacturer went out of business long ago, ISA interfacing cards for instance. I rarely see an ISA slot in machines newer than Pentium II's. One client runs a laser show thru one such card. Another does acoutical studies thru another ISA card. A cleaners chain is running very old DOS software which has copy protection plugs that depend on a parallel port, another hardware item that has been disappearing. In these cases, Windows 98 is about their last possible UPGRADE.