XP SP3 Details?

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Tom Willett added these comments in the current discussion du
jour ...

I am *not* interested in it, and I'm *not* worrying about it.
Period. I was simply pointing out that release dates
*change*. I couldn't care less if they ever release the darn
thing ;-)

OK! Don't get excited! If I may just make the observation, if you
were as ambivalent as you say, why are you making such a (apparent)
fuss over what is really a non-problem? I'm with your last, I
really don't care when they release it, I'll wait anyway.

Have a good week. As for me, I'm going to shoot car pictures this
afternoon of the cars staging for the annual Woodward Dream Cruise
and intend to forget this PC stuff for awhile.

Incidently, Tom, one of our new vehicles was expected to be at
dealers in May, maybe June, and hasn't shown up yet, which tells me
that we're having an analogous problem to what MS had with Vista
last year, some production hitch. If I were in the market for this
vehicle, I'd probably be damn well pissed that I can't get it, but
I would MUCH prefer Chrysler to find and fix whatever the
productioon problems or parts shortages are than to have them ship
potential crap, as we did like all the car makers until they got
religion in the late 1980s/1990s that it ain't smart to destroy
their rep by shipping less than the very best vehicles they can.

 

[Unknown]

One of the bad features of autoupdate is that it only provides you with
security updates. Never gives you an update for a driver for example. I do
my updates manually and on at least two occasions stopped a download that
should NOT have been presented.

 

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Unknown added these comments in the current discussion du jour
....

Totally understand. Bear in mind however that each release of
a new operating system does so much more than the previous

This is PRECISELY why I hold the view I do - because it IS bigger
and far more complex. With Windows, since MS is obviously loathe
to destroy people's ability to use older, legacy apps and HW,
they must of necessity build every damn thing they've ever
encountered into each new release.

An easy example of this is the still annoying requirement not to
use the old DOS wildcard characters and other special characters
in a file name. Once they went to 255 char names, I think they
should at least give users the option of turning that off if they
know they're not running any "DOS" apps, which XP doesn't really
support anyway, or even really old Win 3.1 8.3 file name apps.

It is said that XP SP2 was an 80%+ rewrite, and I would imagine
that Vista is not only an order of magnitude bigger and more
complex, it is also a virtually 100% fresh-sheet-of-paper
rewrite. That is always good, but carries it's own risks. But
then, nothing in life is without risks, is it?

Have a great day!

 

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Unknown added these comments in the current discussion du jour
....

One of the bad features of autoupdate is that it only provides
you with security updates. Never gives you an update for a
driver for example. I do my updates manually and on at least
two occasions stopped a download that should NOT have been
presented.

Once again, this is my opinion and YMMV, but I vastly prefer to
get drivers from the HW manufacturer if I can at all, unless
there is some good reason to get them from MS. I've had too many
printer drivers, mainly for HP printers, simply not work at all
or not take advantage of the entire suite of features.

Incidently, I NEVER recommend updating drivers just for the
helluva-it! Way too much risk of destroying a working system if
you don't have the previous version handy AND you get even get to
your old files. I ONLY update drivers, of ANY/ALL kinds when I
have a known problem or there is some major enhancement I lust
after. And, honestly, I can't remember an example since I need a
driver for my old wide-carriage HP 1220C for XP, which HP happily
provided, as did MicroTek for my old Scanmaker 4 flatbed scanner.
In both cases, the MS driver was a POS.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I'll rephrase it. They made changes to their web site showing different
tentative release periods.

OK, thanks.

I don't mean to give you a hard time over this, but there are many
people (not necessarily you) who see things like your original post,
and conclude that Microsoft has missed their scheduled dates, reneged
on their promises, is late once again, etc.

They simply don't understand the difference between an estimate and a
promise.

 

[Robert Moir]

Exactly the reason I program my "Downloads" to be approved by this PC
owner--Moi! In a public discussion this week, more than 1/3 of those
present said they've bought IMacs b/c MS keeps coming out with new OS, et
al, and requiring its consumers to be their R&D. I agree. Its getting to
be exhausting. Wake up MS.

I think those mac purchasers will be disappointed if they went there because
of Microsoft releasing updates every month.

The current version of Apple's "Tiger" release of OSX is 10.4.10. 10.4.11 is
currently out for testing prior to general release. That's 10 or 11 major
revisions, broadly equal to a service pack, since the release of 10.4.0.
Apple run to at least one patch a month, often more.

Now don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking Apple here... I'm a Mac user myself
as well as a Windows user and I actually prefer Apple's OS to Microsoft's
one, but neither company gets it 100% right first time and has no need to
issue updates. Neither do the Linux crowd.

 

[Bogey Man]

One of the bad features of autoupdate is that it only provides you with
security updates. Never gives you an update for a driver for example. I do
my updates manually and on at least two occasions stopped a download that
should NOT have been presented.

I would never let MS update automatically update any driver for hardware.
Get the updates from the manufacturer of the equipment.

 

[Unknown]

I never automatically update anything. But when I do a manual update I
carefully read what it applies to and then do it.
Never had a problem. NVIDIA video driver is a classic example. I will say,
there are some I refuse to download and install.

 

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Bogey Man added these comments in the current discussion du jour
....

I would never let MS update automatically update any driver
for hardware. Get the updates from the manufacturer of the
equipment.

Again, I cannot overemphasize my stong agreement with your
statement. Even far more than a MS or other SW general upgrade,
IMO, the biggest single cause of major PC system blowdowns is an
errant driver. And, while the manufacturers do release buggy
drivers, they have the advantage of knowing more than anyone how
their HW works as well as being able to maintain trade secrets that
they will not release to MS.

 

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Unknown added these comments in the current discussion du jour
....

I never automatically update anything. But when I do a manual
update I carefully read what it applies to and then do it.
Never had a problem. NVIDIA video driver is a classic example.
I will say, there are some I refuse to download and install.

Me, too, Unknown. I am just ready to restart after installing the
2nd half of the August 14 updates. I lurk and wait, saw a couple of
problems reported but no one else moaned, so I decided it was safe.
And, yes, I DID set my own RP.

 

[Unknown]

!6 updates! I haven't had a single problem as yet.

 

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Unknown added these comments in the current discussion du jour
....

!6 updates! I haven't had a single problem as yet.

6 updates of what, Unknown? Windows versions, SPs, what? I don't
know my number but it doesn't really matter as I am conservative
enough that I make damn well sure whatever it is has been
thoroughly tested by end-users, where NGs like this one are so
valuable in lurk mode.

That said, the basic Murphy's Law says that just because you've
had 6 or 600 successes doesn't mean that the next one isn't some
heinous disaster. Therefore, I do not give Murphy an even break
ever and I don't trust to the probabilities, either. Incidently,
math gurus will tell you that you cannot prove either a possitive
or negative hypothsis by citing examples because all it takes is
ONE except to either prove or disprove the thesis.

For people who're running flush with the belief that they are
invulnerable are the ones most often the most P.O.'d when the
thing dies. It is said that the time most people decide to backup
their data is the day AFTER their HD crashes. A little late.

So, we both do what we think is best for us, right? Have a great
evening!

 

[Unknown]

As I said, I do manual updates. After I clicked on Windows Update and
selected 'custom' there were 16 security updates available to download and
install.

 

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Unknown added these comments in the current discussion du jour
....

As I said, I do manual updates. After I clicked on Windows
Update and selected 'custom' there were 16 security updates

OK, !16 meant 16, ! was a shifted 1. But, I still don't
understand your comments. I successfully have installed all but a
handful of MS critical updates. Those did not fail, I chose not
to install them EVER because whilst lurking in these several NGs,
I discovered other people complaining about problems I thought
might affect me. So, I have been fortunate not to have had a
catastrophic failure of any sort, but I feel it is more because
of my dilligence in verifying what I am doing than in blind luck.

Have a great day!

 

[Gerry]

If you need to continues these off topic dialogues for ever and a day
how about snipping! Also do these posts need to
microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics,microsoft.public.windowsxp.general,microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support.
Surely one group is sufficient.

--



Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

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Gerry added these comments in the current discussion du jour ...

If you need to continues these off topic dialogues for ever
and a day how about snipping! Also do these posts need to
microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics,microsoft.public.windowsxp.ge
neral,microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support. Surely one
group is sufficient.

Gerry, if you have been following my comments, then you know that
I DO snip the useless prior quotes as well as interleave post so
that people can connect what I'm replying to. I'm sorry if you
think I'm doing it wrong, but I seldom top post (I did do a
couple recently) and I seldom repeat all the previous testimony.

Now, what specifically are you alleging I am posting that is OT?
NOt all of what I've said, or what anyone says, is exactly on-
topic for the actual subject of the OP's thread, but that is the
way that threads evolve. There is no general MS NG for OT-style
posts but if we roll with the punches a little when people drift,
it makes life more pleasant, and any OT-ness can be quickly
ascertained and you just stop reading.

One more comment. It has been said before that sometimes people
are so ignorant of a problem they can't even ask an intelligent
question. So, if I chime into a thread with a personal
observations and somebody gives me a heads up that I'm missing
the boat, I take heed.

I suspect your issue in this thread is that there has been a LOT
of discussion from many people about the nature of the software
biz, that may the source of your angst. Don't you ever recant
stories from your youth in support of why you're experienced
enough to do what you do today? And, please feel free to exercise
your rights to ignore or plonk me if you think I am single-handed
monopolizing so many of your fav NGs.

 

[Gerry]

What does this dialogue have to do with SP3?

Why does it require posting to three newsgroups?


--



Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Doug W.]

Why don't you post to ten more NGs?
-
<PLONK>

Gerry added these comments in the current discussion du jour
...

Gerry, if you have been following my comments, then you know
that
I DO snip the useless prior quotes as well as interleave post
so
that people can connect what I'm replying to. I'm sorry if you
think I'm doing it wrong, but I seldom top post (I did do a
couple recently) and I seldom repeat all the previous
testimony.

Now, what specifically are you alleging I am posting that is
OT?
NOt all of what I've said, or what anyone says, is exactly on-
topic for the actual subject of the OP's thread, but that is
the
way that threads evolve. There is no general MS NG for
OT-style
posts but if we roll with the punches a little when people
drift,
it makes life more pleasant, and any OT-ness can be quickly
ascertained and you just stop reading.

One more comment. It has been said before that sometimes
people
are so ignorant of a problem they can't even ask an
intelligent
question. So, if I chime into a thread with a personal
observations and somebody gives me a heads up that I'm missing
the boat, I take heed.

I suspect your issue in this thread is that there has been a
LOT
of discussion from many people about the nature of the
software
biz, that may the source of your angst. Don't you ever recant
stories from your youth in support of why you're experienced
enough to do what you do today? And, please feel free to
exercise
your rights to ignore or plonk me if you think I am
single-handed
monopolizing so many of your fav NGs.

 

[HEMI-Powered]

Gerry added these comments in the current discussion du jour ...

What does this dialogue have to do with SP3?

Why does it require posting to three newsgroups?

I still do not understand where you're coming from, I don't
understand why you don't just let it ride, and I don't understand
what you are accusing me of? Being experienced, being foolish,
defending MS, bashing MS, or what? And as for multiple NGs, people
post similar things to all three, so what is so God Damn wrong with
replying. Nobody has an Uzi to your head do they? Do everybody a
favor, if you hate me that much, just PLONK! and you're relieved.

Or, is the real reason you don't like what I've said about YOUR
views? Either way, I am comfortable, I've not seen the usual
flaming I get for being a contrarian, but what I HAVE seen is
constructive comments, even praise - and that coming from people
who don't even agree with me! Rant on, MacDuff.

 

[HEMI-Powered]

Doug W. added these comments in the current discussion du jour
....

Why don't you post to ten more NGs?
-
<PLONK>

I'll assume you plonked me and not my namesake, but either way, who
cares? BTW, anybody take notice on the very positive exchanges with
Ken Blake hereabouts? No, probably not. I have seen threads in this
and ALL the MS NGs as well as 24hoursupport go on for hundreds of
posts and weeks at a time, yet nobody seems to care. What makes
this one so different? And what, pray tell, is the "problem" with
making rational judgments about MS and subject of this thread, SP3?