Denial.

Currently I'm in a state of denial that Windows 98 is more than 10 years old and becomes more and more outdated as the days pass on...

I do most of my coding on an XP computer, but I changed all the skin settings to look like Windows 98. Its just not the same.

My main reason for posting was to ask if there is any noticeable difference in the finished product of a game programmed on a Windows 98 machine compared to a Windows XP machine. (I use BlitzPlus, so both machines should be able to handle the graphics fine.)

Also, are there any advantages to using Windows 98, so I can keep telling myself its ok to use it?

Or do I just need to let go.....

Technically no noticable difference if you disabled the XP theme, I still have a Win98 on MS Virtual PC and it works very well.

Although Win98 was not supported anymore, it still runs faster than 2K/XP, and most Win32 API are frankly the same, unless you're using NT5/6 specific APIs, 9X still does the same thing and B+/B3D bahaves the same.

Im simply amazed that anyone still uses it unless they have to, eg the specs are so old the only choice is ME.
I revisited a win98 machine not long ago to do support for someone. It really reminded me how much more advanced NT based windows actually is in terms of stability, comfort etc (im speaking of 2K and of XP as it is now, -not when it was first released :P).
As yoko said, its bound to be pretty quick if installed on new hardware in some ways. However, it will obviously miss out on certain modern software based enhancements for newer hardware, so may be actually generally slower.

I think any benefit of using 98 is quickly balanced out by the fact that nothing supports it any more.

Furthermore, since it is an older design, lots of software written with principles acceptable for Windows 98 may very well not work in Vista or even XP, although testing and forward thinking do help a little bit there.

@Yoko
I have two machines, one XP and one Windows 98, the XP theme change is just for emotional appeal. (I'm pathetic...)

And since I use only MS Paint and BlitzPlus for most of my projects (especially on the old machine) I should be alright, if I interpreted the replies correctly.

The background to this question is that my XP machine isn't always available for use, and I spend the time I can't be on the XP machine on the Windows 98. But now that I know its alright to use Windows 98 for the stuff I use it for, I feel more comfortable.

Thanks to all replies!

I've never seen Win98. I went from 95 to ME to XP. Always wondered what 98 was like.

Its beautiful.

I think the thing I like most is reading the old help files where it has to specify what e-mail is, and explaining how cool it is to connect to the World Wide Web (Internet).

Also, its like an adventure. With XP its like trying to baby you with all its bubbles that pop up trying to make you run wizards that make what you want to accomplish harder than it would to do manually or through a command prompt. Forging through the rugged landscapes of Windows 98 is like the best puzzle game ever made.

And doesn't everybody have fond memories at screaming at blue screens of death? I know I do.

- The only advantage is that it takes slightly less system resources

- MassiveDisadvantage: It has been officially END-OF-LIFED by Microsoft in 2006, which means that they are not releasing any more critical security updates any more for flaws, even though fixes for newer versions of windows are available. Flaw -x- which makes you vulnerable for virus -y- still exists on Win98, as does the virus taking advantage of it.
Given that they haven't created any security fixes in a year and a half now, it's a very bad idea to have a Win98 machine connected to the internet these days... Especially without a firewall.

Other big disadvantages: no system restore option to roll back your system config in case anything blows up, and being the red-headed stepchild when it comes to having your OS supported by application vendors.
After all, if even Microsoft doesn't give a hoot about Win98 anymore, why would anyone else?

Meanwhile Windows XP's extended support cycle lasts through 2014, and will continue to receive critical security patches until then.