[TriLUG] Interesting shift in MS licensing pricing/policy

[Jonathan Hassell]

In defense of Microsoft (and not to be heretic on this list!) but I
think you're about to see a sea change of attitudes regarding patch
management, updates, and security responsibility on behalf of the
consumer community.

But you also have to understand that there comes a point when a
company--any company--has to draw a line and say, "Look, we screwed up.
Here's what we've done to somewhat correct this problem in the future.
We have a long way to go, of course, but here's what we're doing to make
this type of problem less of a threat in the future."  With 2K, and even
XP Home, which IS targeted to the consumer, there ARE tools to help.

Even Red Hat is drawing a line with supportability on their desktop
versions, and I know there's an uproar about that.  

What is YOUR recommendation for helping Windows 98 users keep updated?
Let's think of ways we might all help out in this cause, because whether
it's technically Microsoft's responsibility or not, we're all affected
by worms.  

Now of course you may have your own reasons for not liking the tools
Microsoft provides for updates, but I think it's a bit unfair to bash
Microsoft at this point (in the past it was perfectly OK and even an
enjoyable pastime) when they really *are* thinking of new ways to help
people step up to the latest updates.

Jonathan Hassell

-----Original Message-----
From: trilug-bounces at trilug.org [mailto:trilug-bounces at trilug.org] On
Behalf Of Mike Mueller
Sent: Wednesday, September 17, 2003 8:12 AM
To: trilug at trilug.org
Subject: Re: [TriLUG] Interesting shift in MS licensing pricing/policy


On Wednesday 17 September 2003 10:50, Mike Mueller wrote:
> (Author's mind begins to wander.  Thinks to himself.) "What does 
> "Microsoft Certification" actually mean?  Is virus/worm stricken 
> application and system software also Microsoft Certified?"

(Realizing how insulting this sounds, author hastily attempts to retract

insensitive comment.  Author realizes that people with MCSE and other MS

certifications have more integrity than the organization that gives the 
certification.)

The whole MS wirus/worm thing is a personal frustration so I get carried
away 
sometimes.  It became personal when I learned that my dad launched the
.exe 
in an email from what he thought was from Microsoft.  This happened
despite 
the warnings I emailed and verbally communicated to him.  His computer
was 
infected with Backdoor.Coreflood.  It's not simple to eliminate.  You've
got 
the edit the Registry as part of the removal process.  Now, either I
have to 
visit and fix the computer or the computer will have to taken in to a
shop to 
be fixed.  My dad cannot fix this on his own.  What irks me is that MS
has no 
problem marketing their software to inexperienced people and taking
their 
money, but they feel no responsibility to keeping those same user's 
investments protected from bad stuff.

I apologize for venting my frustrations inappropriately.  People with
MSCE 
have nothing to do with my problems and should be applauded for their
efforts 
for making a poor product perform as advertised.
-- 
Mike Mueller
324881 (08/20/2003)
Make clockwise circles on the floor with your right foot; now, without 
looking at your foot, use the index finger on your right hand to draw
the 
number "6" in the air
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