1) Windows 2000 Extended Support will end the 31-Mar-2007. But except that it'll push like they are pushing support for Windows 98 and Windows Nt 4.0.

Note : Difference between Extended Support and Mainstream Support is :
Mainstream Support : HotFix and new feature
Extended Support : Hotfix Only.

Source : http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=lifecycle
Source : ;LifeWin]http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=fh;[ln];LifeWin

2)
Unless they continue with the upgrading patches, then it is not supported. Supporting it over the phone does not count
What do you want to patch on that os? The only bug that pop-up for Windows 98 since 6 months (probably more) are related to IE and IE is still support. All the bug are found in the first years usually.

3) Windows 2000 is 4 years old. True... That mean all the bug have been found. We usually said that after SP1, an OS code is gold. After SP4, it's pretty secure to my eyes and most security gurus I talk with. More that Windows XP right now.. Might not be the case after SP2 for XP but NOW, it's the case.

4) Linux! haha! The cost of buying a new computer with Windows XP is ridiculous compare to the cost of support Linux for end-user. Without forgetting the cost of using 2 version of Office (OpenOffice, M$ Office), etc etc. Red Hat move away from desktop. Linux is good for server for now. That it!

5) You're definitely not in the industries! You don’t have a clue that VP and President don’t invest in IT because the ROI (Return on Investments) cannot be calculate. You have no idea how hard it’s to get to change legacy system for an IT guy! God, I’m stuck using a Windows NT 4.0 Workstation on a 300MHz with 256 MG system!

6)
up till 2 years ago I was still supporting Lotus 1-2-3 for Dos and Excel2 !!! (Win3.1x)
I feel good now! I got rid of Windows 95!