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.
Paul has always had great opportunities to review early versions of products from Microsoft. He enthusiastically does this with an eye for detecting the not-so-finished features that would trip up the average user.
Since I’m an avid technology buff working in IT, I regularly read his reviews, and this one should be another great retrospective of the process of getting from the Longhorn concepts to Vista the product.
If you have been using Outlook Mobile Manager (OMM), you may be interested in knowing that Microsoft Research has released version 2.1 of this very useful tool.
OMM allows email delivered to your Outlook Inbox, to be forwarded to a mobile device, be it a cell phone, smartphone, or PDA Phone. The system learns what emails are important to forward, and which are not based on your actions. Omm can also forward appointment reminders in addition to emails.
Some new features in version 2.1:
Supports POP3, in addition to Exchange email accounts.
Enhanced support for native junk-email filters.
Extended personalization to examples from arbitrary folders
@MAC_Arms Pay taxes when you make your money, pay taxes when you spend your money, pay taxes when you successfully invest your money, pay taxes when you save enough taxed money to afford a house, pay taxes to live in your house, pay taxes when you sell the house that you paid taxes on to
Yup, taxes are criminal and we need serious reforms. I've always said that if you want to see a tax revolt, make withholdings illegal and have Americans write a tax check every payday. They'll revolt for sure. You don't miss what you never had.
Sen. @berniemoreno says voter ID and proof of citizenship are simply common sense.
“We’re talking about a very low threshold — identify who you are and prove you’re a U.S. citizen when you register to vote. I think we’re getting closer to
