Looks like Microsoft is unfortunately postponing Windows XP Service Pack 3 until 2008. For me, at least, this was a complete surprise.
The disappointing part is the sheer number of patches that will need to be applied to Windows XP Service Pack 2 machines. As one reader points out, there are already several dozen patches that need to be applied to a fresh XPSP2 install.
“As of yesterday, if you install XP with SP2 slipstreamed in, you firstly get 2 updates (Windows Installer and WGA [Windows Genuine Advantage, anti-piracy software]) and then a huge 73 critical updates. I dread to think how many updates I’ll have to install in 2008 — and knowing my company, it’s not certain we’ll be on Vista by then!”
Of course this is complete hogwash, just “sour grapes” on Symantec’s part. Microsoft has spent a huge amount of time in the last 5 years working solely on securing the Windows OS.
The real problem for Symantec (and McAfee as well) is that they have stopped innovating, and are about to be caught with their proverbial pants down. Tough shit.
I used to recommend Symantec as a AV product, but its tied for top place with McAfee and Microsoft’s own OneCare product. Its sad that these companies can’t come up with new ideas and products. Instead, they have to run crying to anti-competitive-biased foreign regulatory arm of the EU. Can’t even try to make their case here at home.
The part that makes me laugh like never before is the part about using Windows on the production line, and felt the need to blame them for it. How about managing the computers so they don’t contract a virus, hmm?
Apple apologized for the incident, but blamed it on a Windows computer used on the iPod production line.
I’ve stopped using Pluck a few weeks ago, and finally have removed the last vestiges of it from my machines. Did IE7 cause this? Not exactly.
While the RSS/ATOM support in IE7 and Firefox contributed to this, it really is Google Reader that drove home the last nail in the coffin. The simplicity, performance, and accessibility of GReader just can’t be beat for my needs at this time.
So, it is with sadness that I am currently removing Pluck from my last machine before installing the IE7 gold release. I’ve used Pluck for 2 years and will remember it fondly.
Finally have been able to find the time to get away from work for a few days. It happens to be our Anniversary, so Amy and I wanted some time out of town and away from “it”.
We’ll be heading north, and I’ll blog portions of it, pertaining to what strikes me at the moment. Something different that I’m going to do is keep my laptop in “standby” mode for 4 days. What? Battery life? Of course it won’t last for four days, but I figure, that if I keep the ‘top ready to fire at all times, I’ll have opportunity to plug in at coffee shops, hotels, and of course, I’ve got an AC/DC adapter in the car.
I’m going to blog random stuff here, of course, and will blog the technical items at The Mobile Lifestyle, which I’ve unfortunately been neglecting something fierce lately. Hopefully, I’ll be able to stock up on some pictures and such, though here in Minnesota at this time, all the fall color has vanished in winds and rains of the last week or two.
If you ever needed an example of how a dictatorship does not trust its citizens, then look no further than the latest asinine action by the Iranian government.
My condolences to the citizens of Iran, you are on the verge of losing one of your most powerful tools for freedom of thought and expression. Right now its just slow, tomorrow it may be gone.
First Lady Melania Trump: "Most know my husband as the strong Commander-in-Chief, but his empathy transcends the role and shapes a caring leader who constantly remembers each and every American soldier is someone's child."
