Why Microsoft Shouldn't Patch the XP Internet Explorer Flaw 345
Hugh Pickens DOT Com writes: "Sebastian Anthony argues that Microsoft is setting an awful precedent by caving and issuing a fix for Windows XP. 'Yes, tardy governments and IT administrators can breathe a little easier for a little bit longer,' writes Anthony, 'and yes, your mom and dad are yet again safe to use their old Windows XP beige box. But to what end? It's just delaying the inevitable.' Lance Ulanoff argues that Microsoft can't turn a blind eye the security of XP users, even though the company ended support for the 12-year-old operating system on April 8, a fact that Microsoft has been warning about for, literally, years. But this won't be the only vulnerability found in XP, says Dwight Silverman. 'If Microsoft makes an exception now, what about the flaw found after this one? And the next? And the one after that, ad infinitum?' Even though Microsoft has released a patch for the IE flaw, and Windows XP is included, it's time to move on – really. 'I don't want to hear that tired "if it ain't broke, don't fix it" line. Hey, XP IS broke, and it will just get more so over time. Upgrade to a newer version of Windows, or switch to another modern operating system, such as OS X or Linux.'"
Re:Microsoft Has These Patches (Score:2, Informative)
Re:Microsoft Has These Patches (Score:3, Informative)
If I invite you over to my house for dinner, that doesn't create an obligation to feed you every night.
Re:Microsoft Opened Themselves Up for Lawsuits (Score:5, Informative)
Does it say on the package that the product becomes unfit for use at time X?
Like just about everything else sold these days, it comes with the classic "we don't guarantee shit" clause:
DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTIES. The Limited Warranty that appears above is the only express warranty made
to you and is provided in lieu of any other express warranties (if any) created by any documentation, packaging,
or other communications. Except for the Limited Warranty and to the maximum extent permitted by applicable
law, Microsoft and its suppliers provide the Product and support services (if any) AS IS AND WITH ALL
FAULTS, and hereby disclaim all other warranties and conditions, either express, implied or statutory,
including, but not limited to, any (if any) implied warranties, duties or conditions of merchantability, of
fitness for a particular purpose, of reliability or availability, of accuracy or completeness of responses, of
results, of workmanlike effort, of lack of viruses, and of lack of negligence, all with regard to the Product, and
the provision of or failure to provide support or other services, information, software, and related content
through the Product or otherwise arising out of the use of the Product. ALSO, THERE IS NO WARRANTY
OR CONDITION OF TITLE, QUIET ENJOYMENT, QUIET POSSESSION, CORRESPONDENCE TO
DESCRIPTION OR NON-INFRINGEMENT WITH REGARD TO THE PRODUCT.
Stop misleading people (Score:5, Informative)
Windowx XP is not a "12 year old operating system"
It's 4 years old, 6 years at best. It was still being sold by Microsoft up until June 30 2008. It was still being sold preinstalled on machines up until October 2010.
What of those people who have 3 1/2 year old PC's? You can't tell them its a 12 year old operating system. It was still brand new in 2010.
Re:Idiot (Score:4, Informative)
I was reading a finance forum earlier today, and came across a post from a guy talking about his frugal habits, which included still using Windows 98. That's not frugal, that's insane!
(On the bright side, he also still uses dial-up, so at least the rate at which his zombied PC can spew shit is somewhat limited...)