XP Service Pack 2

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Sep 16, 2004 | 10:28 PM

#61

xlt4me

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From: Northwest Indiana

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhromy

how do you know microsoft doesn't already have a patch installed on your machine giving the access to download the patch for you...all im simply saying is in 8 months that service pack will be installed on your machine...if you could always unplug if you dont want it

Well I don't know but I think it would be more likely that the government would try something like that. All I'm saying is if you really don't want it don't do any updates after it becomes an addon with other updates.

If there was some backdoor 'Gates' somebody would find em.

I think most of the incompatabilites with other software will be worked out by then and it won't cause a lot of problems for the average user.

Considering how bad they want everyone to be updated the security holes in XP must present a great enough risk that some will have to put up with application glitches.

Sep 17, 2004 | 04:49 AM

#62

droptop

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Quote:

Originally Posted by jhromy

You don't. However, if Microsoft was that incredibly stupid to try such a covert operation it would not only be a PR fiasco, it would probably lead to a class action lawsuit of some sort.

Sep 17, 2004 | 05:19 AM

#63

AeroPA

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From: Northern PA

They do it in stages, then they have everything the way they want it. It's the frog in the pot analogy. They just do things a little at a time, then one day, you take a look at it, and you wonder how they can run your machine now.

Since using a Windows machine is a no brainer, most users will put up with the privacy intrusions so they can use their machines without having to tinker with them all the time. And I can almost guarantee you that running XP without SP2 when the time comes will not go smoothly, if it will still work at all. I bet a lot of features will be disabled, in the name of 'security'.

Everyone thought there would be a big uproar when they came out with WPA in XP. Everyone swallowed that one without blinking.

Hey, it's their product, people are perfectly free to use it or not. If they choose to use it, they have to use it the way Bill says to.

As far as Linux for freedom fighters? It's more of a geek thing. Some folks like to use software and customize it the way they want it, not the way M$ says they have to.

Last edited by AeroPA; Sep 17, 2004 at 05:22 AM.

Sep 17, 2004 | 06:23 AM

#64

jhromy

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Quote:

Originally Posted by droptop

You don't. However, if Microsoft was that incredibly stupid to try such a covert operation it would not only be a PR fiasco, it would probably lead to a class action lawsuit of some sort.

Granted maybe they dont have anything on our machines to put that update right now, but are you going to tell me that you will NEVER update your computer again, you will leave yourself open for all kinds of security flaws. Granted those security flaws will come up with sp2 on your machine as well but I'm pretty sure you remember that msblaster worm...

Sep 17, 2004 | 08:23 AM

#65

xlt4me

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Joined: Apr 2004

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From: Northwest Indiana

Quote:

Originally Posted by jhromy

Granted maybe they dont have anything on our machines to put that update right now, but are you going to tell me that you will NEVER update your computer again,

It may come to that and I agree that WPA is a real pain for those of us who like to swap hardware in and out of our machines. I can live with W2K for those few apps I have that must run on windows but I'm not in love with Linux / Unix either. Mac's are nice machines but pricey. For now I don't see SP2 as presenting any problems for me.

Sep 17, 2004 | 10:43 AM

#66

droptop

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Quote:

Originally Posted by jhromy

I keep my computer updated on a regular basis. That said, I pick those updates that are applicable to my computing envirionment, not what Microsoft states that I "need" in their Windows Update screen. I read through each of their suggested updates and then I click on the "more info" link. If it applies to my machine, I accept, if not, I select "remove". As for security flaws, everyone is vunerable. I try to limit my exposure by using a router, software firewall, and up-to-date anti virus definitions. I only use Internet Explorer when forced to do so. There are other alternatives to Internet Explorer such as Mozilla, Firefox, and Opera. I remember Blaster quite well. I fixed many machines that were infected with Blaster. Did I get it on any of my machines? No. I downloaded the patch as soon as it became available because it applied to my computing environment.

According to Microsoft, SP2 requires at least 1.8 GB of free space on the hard drive. I for one, am not willing to sacrifice that big of a chunk of disk space for a "service pack." I'll either patch on the go, wait until for the next version of Windows, or switch to Linux.