WIN 2K Service Pack 3 available for download from MS

[pengin]

Hahah, exactly. Microsoft is a legit corporation that has been under the fed microscope for sometime. I mean, it would be pretty stupid to use SP3 to "get you" hehe.
...
I didn't follow the anti-trust law suit at all, but all i konw is that now it is out of the news. How was it solved? I remember that a while ago they were talking about splitting Microsoft into IE, Office, and Windows or something like that. But obviously that didn't happen. Is the law-suit still tied up in the courts? Or did they resolve it? or what? I don't realli understand that much about American Politics <-- seeing as I am Canadian eh?. So anyone care to explain what happened?
...
derek

 

[NogginBoink]

Originally posted by: pengin
Hahah, exactly. Microsoft is a legit corporation that has been under the fed microscope for sometime. I mean, it would be pretty stupid to use SP3 to "get you" hehe.
...
I didn't follow the anti-trust law suit at all, but all i konw is that now it is out of the news. How was it solved? I remember that a while ago they were talking about splitting Microsoft into IE, Office, and Windows or something like that. But obviously that didn't happen. Is the law-suit still tied up in the courts? Or did they resolve it? or what? I don't realli understand that much about American Politics <-- seeing as I am Canadian eh?. So anyone care to explain what happened?
...
derek

Derek,

The original trial judge ordered a rather draconian remedy to the antitrust case when MS was found guilty.

MS filed an appeal based on, among other things, some things the judge said in public during the trial that indicated a bias against MS. I think it'd be hard to argue that judge Jackson wasn't biased against MS.

So anyway, the appeals court agrees that the remedy should be thrown out due to the perception of bias, and was assigned to another judge to decide remedies. Note that the findings of guilt were not reversed.

The arguments have been heard and we're waiting for the judge's decision.

End of nutshell.

 

[SaturnX]

Originally posted by: RainsfordAnd guys, chill out about "M$ spyware" or whatever you want to call it. The EULA is just words, when they actually start doing this that make my computer behave in a way it shouldn't, I will be the first one to file a class action lawsuit against them. But until then, I have no reason to believe they are going to do anything, and why worry now when there's nothing you can do about it? And believe me, if they actually do anything bad with their new EULA power, they can and will be taken to court. They just barely escaped last time, I don't think they are going to risk another round with the justice department.

It doesn't matter if they do anything or not, it's still the concept of privacy, and according to this "addition" to the EULA, you're giving Microsoft the rights to install any "updates" they see fit. I don't care if they're combating piracy, but it's the principle that you have given them the ability to do so, and with talks of Palladium on the horizon, people really should take more interest in their personal privacy.

And you mention you'll be the first to file a class action lawsuit, what's your basis? You'll argue that the "updates" they installed disabled MP3 Acceleration on your sound card (just as an example) etc... but.. wait... you agreed to letting Microsoft install the update because they saw it as being appropriate.. uh oh.. there goes your case.

However, yes I agree Microsoft does make software with great features and functionality, I use their products myself, I understand what you mean. But you just have to look at the broad scope of things that you're giving them power, although small, its still substantial.

Some people are just too naive if they believe Microsoft won't be using this feature in the days to come.. why else would they implement it and get all their users to agree to it?

--Mark

 

[Rainsford]

Originally posted by: Tharyn

Originally posted by: RainsfordAnd guys, chill out about "M$ spyware" or whatever you want to call it. The EULA is just words, when they actually start doing this that make my computer behave in a way it shouldn't, I will be the first one to file a class action lawsuit against them. But until then, I have no reason to believe they are going to do anything, and why worry now when there's nothing you can do about it? And believe me, if they actually do anything bad with their new EULA power, they can and will be taken to court. They just barely escaped last time, I don't think they are going to risk another round with the justice department.

It doesn't matter if they do anything or not, it's still the concept of privacy, and according to this "addition" to the EULA, you're giving Microsoft the rights to install any "updates" they see fit. I don't care if they're combating piracy, but it's the principle that you have given them the ability to do so, and with talks of Palladium on the horizon, people really should take more interest in their personal privacy.

And you mention you'll be the first to file a class action lawsuit, what's your basis? You'll argue that the "updates" they installed disabled MP3 Acceleration on your sound card (just as an example) etc... but.. wait... you agreed to letting Microsoft install the update because they saw it as being appropriate.. uh oh.. there goes your case.

But my case wouldn't be based on the fact that they installed the update, it would be based on the fact that the update "broke" my computer. If I go to a mechanic and give them permission to work on my car, and then my car bursts into flames while driving down the highway, it is still there fault whether or not I gave them permission to work on my car.

And I wouldn't be alone anyways. Suppose MS decides you don't need to use Winamp. How fast do you think they would be dragged back before a judge about anti-competitive practices?

However, yes I agree Microsoft does make software with great features and functionality, I use their products myself, I understand what you mean. But you just have to look at the broad scope of things that you're giving them power, although small, its still substantial.

Some people are just too naive if they believe Microsoft won't be using this feature in the days to come.. why else would they implement it and get all their users to agree to it?

--Mark

Well, I'm certainly going to wait and see how this feature will be used, but I see no reason to get all worked up about it. It is in MS's best interests to provide us with a product that works well and does not interfere with what we do with it. The customer has all the power, even against MS. The only way they survive is by making a product that people want to buy, and in that respect they have no reason to do anything "evil" with this new power.

My only question is, what do they want it for?

 

[Rainsford]

After thinking about this for a bit, does this sound like Autoupdate and nothing more? Remember, Windows 2000 pre-SP3 didn't have Autoupdate. If you turn on Autoupdate, then MS would need to do all those things listed in this part of the EULA. And the section is prefaced by what I've highlighted in bold. "Internet-based services" certainly could be Autoupdate, don't you think? And this agreement would be necessary if Autoupdate was used I would think. This certainly doesn't seem very evil, now does it?


* The OS Product or OS Components contain components that
enable and facilitate the use of certain Internet-based
services. You acknowledge and agree that Microsoft may
automatically check the version of the OS Product and/or its
components that you are utilizing and may provide upgrades
or fixes to the OS Product that will be automatically
downloaded to your computer.

 

[Tannah]

as to the reason I never Downloaded the autoupdate feature they offered.. not that I would ever use it anyway..
I find peoples in M$ we trust attitude scary..
as to the anitrust case.. its still going.. its in M$'s best intrest to keep it in the courts as long as possable..

from what I read on the securitys mailing list.. yikes..

 

[Fisher999]

I havn't been "in" the forum since my posting in this thread.... wish I would have....
This may be "old" news but I stumbled across this article at "The Register" over here which is an interesting story......

And, OH MY, what's this link in the article to a site that offers a program to
"workaround" an MS EULA??? I DIDN'T SEE THAT! I am NOT an "enabler"....
but if YOU want to become ENABLED just slide over
here!