http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/3942344/
Support for Windows 98 and Windows 98 SE had been scheduled to expire on January 16th, 2004,, and for Windows Me on Dec. 31, 2004, but Microsoft decided to keep supporting those systems in large part because some customers in developing countries were not aware it was ending.
Personal note: "and also because the ones who were aware of it were thinking about Linux desktops instead of Microsoft newer versions of Windows ..."