Windows XP SP2 Delayed Until Late 2004 261
Aiua writes "BetaNews is reporting that Microsoft has pushed back the release date for the second Windows XP service pack to the third quarter of 2004 without giving any reasons." Update: 08/19 12:52 GMT by M : Another article claims it will be out three months earlier, no later than June 2004.
Microsoft doesn't need to have reason.... (Score:5, Interesting)
Why? (Score:3, Interesting)
Register Reports a leak of Service Pack 2 (Score:4, Interesting)
One more push-back and SP2==Longhorn? (Score:3, Interesting)
Win XP SP2 = Longhorn? (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:Without reason? (Score:5, Interesting)
Yeah, it was fixed about a month ago, but this recent incident that had a huge effect on their customers _must have_ increased their willingness to improve the security of their products once and for all - thus the delay. Or perhaps I'm just daydreaming.. I don't know.
Microsoft acting odd (Score:5, Interesting)
IE development ended (sort of)
Outlook express development ended
Service packs under long delay
Just an observation.
Competition ruling (Score:4, Interesting)
And by the way guys, this mindless MS bashing just isn't funny anymore. It long since ceased to be Redmond that was made to look stupid by these comments, it is now Slashdot itself, and by extension Linux. Which is a shame. True Linux and Open Source advocates would do well to consider some basic notions from the field of public relations.
Re:One thing I don't really get... (Score:5, Interesting)
Use the Red Hat Network Update Agent sometime if you want to see an updating process that's REALLY a pain in the ass.
For example, when trying to find a patch for the vulnerability that Blaster is currently exploiting on many systems...
Going to Google and typing "blaster patch" isn't easy enough? Considering the news coverage it's getting, you'd think that by going to any news site and doing a search for Blaster, you'd get some clue where to look next. Or, you could do what I did... SUBSCRIBE TO CERT. That way, you get the vulnerability notification the same day all the other professional system administrators do.
the vulnerability I thought it was, then find a download link, then be presented with a multipage license agreement -- all for one fix.
Two points I'd like to make. First, when is there a vulnerability that gets airtime on the major news channels (like CNN, Fox, ABC, CBS, NBC, etc.) that should NOT be fixed immediately? Second, clicking 3 times (Windows Update, Scan for Patches, Install) is a lot simpler than the 10 or so that Red Hat requires. (I only have Red Hat Network to compare to, so if there's any better way to update RH8, someone let me know.)
My thought is that Microsoft would do better to be a little more proactive in their approach.
You mean besides the bubble that pops up near the clock that says "You have updates. Click here to install."? You'd prefer a popup window that takes up 80% of the screen when it boots that says "Jesus Fucking Christ, update your system, dumbass!"?
I'd appreciate having the machine automatically seek out the patches I need and apply them (particularly the most critical) without requiring my intervention...
It already can do that. When you format a new machine, the first or second time it boots, a little bubble pops up near the clock that says "Set up automatic updates." One of the options (out of the 3) is "Automatically download and install patches." For those of us that don't know where to look without formatting our systems, that's under Start, Control Panel, System, Automatic Updates. I prefer to take a look at the updates before I install them though... just my preference.
Java: (Score:3, Interesting)
Can SOMEONE explain why MSFT doesn't use Linux (Score:0, Interesting)
Why doesn't MSFT do this? Imagine the next version of Windows based on BSD, Linux, etc...wouldn't that be the ultimate for MSFT? Doing that would kill Red Hat, Mandrake, etc, etc...look at how many Linux people already like OS X...I just don't get how MSFT people aren't thinking about fighting fire with fire and killing the Linux movement by building a *good* OS based on BSD, or Linux...
Anyone got an explanation?
Re:Without reason? (Score:2, Interesting)
"without giving any reasons" (Score:3, Interesting)
The product isn't ready for users. Note that this didn't stop them from shipping Bob, ME, XP-SP1, or other problematic software. (I apologize for leaving anyones favorite "what a piece of c**p" off the list)
Shipping SP2 now would negatively impact the bottom line. Would I perform an very expensive upgrade to the next OS (Longhorn) [wininsider.com] if I had just installed SP2?
Delaying SP2 will help the bottom line. In 2004, MS can offer users a choice between a patch of that pesky ol' XP, or The Fabulous, Great, Incredible New, Improved OS that Does So Much More,More,More. Yea, it's hype, but never, EVER underestimate the power of the Microsoft marketing department.
Re:Microsoft acting odd (Score:1, Interesting)
Re:Microsoft acting odd (Score:3, Interesting)
Outlook express development ended
Service packs under long delay
Just an observation.
The economy is slowing down and they're focusing on things that will make them money, perhaps? At one point 20% of Microsoft's development force was working on Internet Explorer and related technology --- they can't keep up that rate of development on loss leaders -- especially when shareholders are getting anxious. After paying out dividends for the first time a while back, they're starting to act like more of a blue chip company and less like an innovative (I know, I know, spare me the sarcasm) company.