Windows 98/ME support deadlines help clarify please

[Fencer128]

Hello,

Could someone please clear this issue up for me. At work we have a few win 98SE/ME machines. Now, I realise that "mainstream support" ended for Win 98SE on June 30 2003 and that it is due to end for ME on December 31 2003.

Does this mean that critical security patches will/are no longer be available for these products via "Windows Update" after the retirement dates?

If not what *exactly* ends?

I hope someone can answer this as it will affect whether we buy several new work machines. BTW we have no special MS support contracts. I got all my data from this microsoft page.

Cheers,

Andy

EDIT: Just rad off the "FAQ" link from the page I linked that "hotfixes" are part of "mainstream" support. And since "mainstream" support has ended/will end soon for the above I guess I can no longer expect critical security patches, right?

EDIT Number 2:

Just also read:

14. What is the Security patch policy?
Microsoft has not changed its Security patch policy.

Business and Development Software
Security patches will be available through the end of the Extended Support phase (five years mainstream phase plus two years extended support phase) at no additional cost for most products.

Consumer/Hardware/Multimedia
Security patches will be available through the end of the mainstream phase

By "through the end of the mainstream phase" I guess it means through to the end of the mainstream phase. i.e. when the mainstream phase is over, no more security patches?