'Eiger' to offer more security to those who don't want to upgrade
From: Associated Press - 05/19/2005

Microsoft Corp. is working on a new Windows-based operating system designed
to help companies make older machines run better. 

The software, code-named Eiger, will look and feel like much like Windows XP
and will be equipped with Service Pack 2, a major security upgrade released
last summer, said Barry Goffe, a group product manager for Microsoft's
Windows client unit. 

The idea behind Eiger came from businesses and school systems that said they
couldn't afford to replace an old fleet of computers but wanted machines
running Windows 95, Windows 98 or Windows NT to be more secure and easier to
manage. 

"Those operating systems we no longer service, so if there's a security
vulnerability, we usually don't send out security patches," Goffe said. 

Still in the early stages of development, Eiger will run a bare-bones set of
programs directly from the desktop. The list will include the Internet
Explorer browser, Windows Media Center, a firewall, and antivirus software. 

Most other programs, however, will run off a central server. 

The Redmond, Wash.-based software giant has distributed preview copies of
Eiger to about two dozen customers, but has not said when the software will
be released or how much it will cost. 

Goffe said Microsoft will continue to recommend that the best way to get more
out of any operating system is to replace computers when they get old. 

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7915393/

Links:
Microsoft Readies a ‘Lean’ Windows Client
http://www.microsoft-watch.com/article2/0,1995,1815438,00.asp

Windows XP Slims Down for Older PCs
http://pcworld.about.com/news/May132005id120834.htm

Microsoft tries to breathe life into older PCs
http://news.zdnet.com/2100-3513_22-5705456.html

Contributed by Jamie Arasz Prioli