Windows Updates on a CD!

[REMbranded]

We were discussing the best way to obtain and archive various Windows
critical updates and such awhile back. I found this article while
browsing about:

http://www.winnetmag.com/article/articleid/40999/40999.html

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"[December 1, 2003]
Microsoft Opens Security Beta for Older Windows Versions

Paul Thurrott
InstantDoc #40999
Paul Thurrott's WinInfo

To aid users of older Windows versions with non-broadband access to
the Internet, Microsoft is considering releasing a CD-based security
update product that would bulk install the security updates the
company now offers on Windows Update. A beta test of the potential
product, dubbed the Windows Security Update CD beta, will start soon,
according to an email the software giant sent to testers last week,
and will be aimed at Windows 98, Windows 98 Second Edition (SE), and
Windows Millennium Edition (Me).

"This special security update CD will benefit customers with slower
dial-up Internet connections and those customers who do not regularly
visit the Microsoft Web site to download security updates," Microsoft
wrote in an email to potential testers. The beta test is slated to
begin in mid-December, though the company has not yet set a release
date.

Microsoft has been increasingly criticized for the security problems
in its products, and though the company has offered Web-based ways to
automatically deliver key security fixes to users' computers for
years, some critics allege such a delivery system is ineffectual for
those with slow, infrequently-used dial-up lines. The Windows Security
Update CD would address that complaint if it's released, though it's
unclear how Microsoft will deliver it to users or communicate its
availability. Either way, this CD will likely be a one-off: In future
Windows versions, the company will rely on the increasing adoption of
broadband usage to drizzle security updates down to users' system on a
regular basis."
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The last line sounds bad. Do they intend to "drizzle" updates via
broadband whether you want them or not?

I find it hard to believe MS is contemplating updates on CD. Where is
the profit in this? I'll believe when I receive my CD I guess and 98SE
might serve me well into the future.

 

[Onno Tasler]

I find it hard to believe MS is contemplating updates on CD. Where is
the profit in this?

Well, Microsoft ist already giving away update CDs for free - I ordered
one for my Windows XP half a year ago. (It was only for Win XP/2000)

I think the reason for this CD is quite easy: Cheap Advertisement.
All big PC Magazines will have big articles about how much MS cares for
their customers by even giving away a patch CD for outdated and no
longer supported programs...

That will probably make a good shift in MS' image. And is cheaper than
an usual advertisement campaign.

bye,

Onno

 

[REMbranded]

Well, Microsoft ist already giving away update CDs for free - I ordered
one for my Windows XP half a year ago. (It was only for Win XP/2000)

Was there a charge, other than nominal shipping? This is the first
I've heard of this, but I don't do magazines.

I think the reason for this CD is quite easy: Cheap Advertisement.
All big PC Magazines will have big articles about how much MS cares for
their customers by even giving away a patch CD for outdated and no
longer supported programs...

That will probably make a good shift in MS' image. And is cheaper than
an usual advertisement campaign.

Perhaps the image they seek is that Windows is secure (after numerous
updates) to the world at large. The 'bounty' MS has placed upon
malware authors as fix, rather than relying on real software fixes to
the exploits we will see in the future, does not interpret to secure
to me. Reaction to Win98 vulnerabilities is scheduled to stop at year
end IINM.

Getting the final updates on CD is more than I expected, so I best
count my blessings then.

 

[Steven Burn]

</snip>

I'll believe it when I see it..... not until then.

--

Regards

Steven Burn
Ur I.T. Mate Group
www.it-mate.co.uk

Keeping it FREE!

Disclaimer:
I know I'm probably wrong, I just like taking part ;o)

 

[Onno Tasler]

Was there a charge, other than nominal shipping? This is the first
I've heard of this, but I don't do magazines.

I had to pay nothing - not even shipping. But that was from Microsoft
Germany, I do not know if the rest of MS does the same.

Perhaps the image they seek is that Windows is secure (after numerous
updates) to the world at large.

I think their interest is more towards getting a better image in support
and service - they are often described as arrogant. I doubt they care
for security to much, because that is mainly interesting for experienced
users (which can and will "tweakfix" Windows 98 on their own).
Advertisement is more for new users - and for those, service is much
more important than security.

Thus, MS probably wants unexperienced users to patch their systems, to
work against the image of the insecure OS, on the one hand, but also
wants to show that they do care for all their customers on the other.
Quite a clever move, I think.

bye,

Onno

 

[CHarneyCHRIS]

Subject: Windows Updates on a CD!
From: (e-mail address removed)
Date: 12/4/2003 9:27 PM E. Australia Standard Time
Message-id: <[email protected]>


We were discussing the best way to obtain and archive various Windows
critical updates and such awhile back. I found this article while
browsing about:

http://www.winnetmag.com/article/articleid/40999/40999.html

--------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------

"[December 1, 2003]
Microsoft Opens Security Beta for Older Windows Versions

Paul Thurrott
InstantDoc #40999
Paul Thurrott's WinInfo

To aid users of older Windows versions with non-broadband access to
the Internet, Microsoft is considering releasing a CD-based security
update product that would bulk install the security updates the
company now offers on Windows Update. A beta test of the potential
product, dubbed the Windows Security Update CD beta, will start soon,
according to an email the software giant sent to testers last week,
and will be aimed at Windows 98, Windows 98 Second Edition (SE), and
Windows Millennium Edition (Me).

"This special security update CD will benefit customers with slower
dial-up Internet connections and those customers who do not regularly
visit the Microsoft Web site to download security updates," Microsoft
wrote in an email to potential testers. The beta test is slated to
begin in mid-December, though the company has not yet set a release
date.

Microsoft has been increasingly criticized for the security problems
in its products, and though the company has offered Web-based ways to
automatically deliver key security fixes to users' computers for
years, some critics allege such a delivery system is ineffectual for
those with slow, infrequently-used dial-up lines. The Windows Security
Update CD would address that complaint if it's released, though it's
unclear how Microsoft will deliver it to users or communicate its
availability. Either way, this CD will likely be a one-off: In future
Windows versions, the company will rely on the increasing adoption of
broadband usage to drizzle security updates down to users' system on a
regular basis."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------

The last line sounds bad. Do they intend to "drizzle" updates via
broadband whether you want them or not?

I find it hard to believe MS is contemplating updates on CD. Where is
the profit in this? I'll believe when I receive my CD I guess and 98SE
might serve me well into the future.
















i can confirm that this information is correct,i know someone who recieved a
email asking if they would jion the betatest, do you realise that it is a
clever way for MS to get updates that they want you installed ,onto your pc
? do a search on google for 'Palladium'

 

[Onno Tasler]

do you realise that it is a clever way for MS to get updates that
they want you installed ,onto your pc ? do a search on google for
'Palladium'

Please, read my posts about this topic and you will see that there might
be much less evil intentions than this paranoid conspiracy theory.

Not to mention that they cannot force you to use the CDs and that
Palladium needs a hardware counterpart to be of any use - this hardware
is very unlikely to be available on machines running Windows 98.


Also, please, would you do two thinks:
Indicate quoted text by adding a quoting sign in front of it (Like >)
Snipping text that is not necessary for your post?

Makes your posts easier to read and to download for dial-in users like
me. Thanks.

bye,

Onno

 

[Dos-Man]

</snip>

I'll believe it when I see it..... not until then.

--

Regards

Steven Burn
Ur I.T. Mate Group
www.it-mate.co.uk

Keeping it FREE!

Disclaimer:
I know I'm probably wrong, I just like taking part ;o)

I have been expecting something along these lines.
My guess is they will try to nuke your system and
create a generic version of XP

I'll pass.

dos-man

 

[Steven Burn]

I have been expecting something along these lines.
My guess is they will try to nuke your system and
create a generic version of XP

I'll pass.

dos-man

Wouldn't suprise me

--

Regards

Steven Burn
Ur I.T. Mate Group
www.it-mate.co.uk

Keeping it FREE!

Disclaimer:
I know I'm probably wrong, I just like taking part ;o)

 

[Kevin Davis³]

Well, Microsoft ist already giving away update CDs for free - I ordered
one for my Windows XP half a year ago. (It was only for Win XP/2000)

You can make your own update CD for XP. Not sure about 2000 but I
think you can with it as well. Of course you still have to download
the updates which really requires either a lot of patience or
broadband. Which, I guess was the point to begin with.

Nevermind.

 

[AUWG]

http://www.winnetmag.com/article/articleid/40999/40999.html

On one hand, as someone who runs Win98 and uses a dialup, having all
Win98 'updates' on a CD sounds great.
On the other hand, the offer comes from MS, who has been force-marching
everybody up the "upgrade" hill for years.

Trust them not to screw up my system? Not bloody likely.
Trust them not to snoop? Again, not likely.

I fail to see how it is in their best interests to support my 'antique'
version of Windows. I need to know why they'd offer such a CD before I'd
even vaguely consider accepting it, much less paying for it.

Three 3rd-party programs issued to me for one of my businesses will NOT
run under XP. No new versions are available, and I have tons of data
concerning molds, suppliers, and customers in that data system.

Until an XP version comes out, I'll stick with W98, even if it means
buying older computers and swapping parts to keep them alive.

My primary business is writing and publishing, and that business hasn't
suffered at all by my use of W98.
Ed Howdershelt - Abintra Press
Science Fiction and Semi-Fiction
http://abintrapress.tripod.com
http://www.fictionwise.com/servlet/mw?t=author&ai=10823&id=95920

 

[REMbranded]

On one hand, as someone who runs Win98 and uses a dialup, having all
Win98 'updates' on a CD sounds great.
On the other hand, the offer comes from MS, who has been force-marching
everybody up the "upgrade" hill for years.

See the messages from Onno. He received the CD for XP and there was no
cost. I must admit that I'm skeptical about MS myself, but I think
this looks to be nothing more dubious than providing the same updates
you get online on a CD for free. I really think the 'security' issue
is the inspiration. Many people have a computer, but for whatever
reasons have not done the critical updates and they are simply worm
propagators now. My mom, for instance, has no idea they are out there.
I try to get them for her when I'm over. As Onno pointed out this is
an unconventional advertising tactic also... to show that MS cares
<G>.

We had a discussion awhile back about the best way to get and archive
these updates after MS stops supporting 98. The naming convention and
such makes it a real job to do so dialup. If MS in fact does provide
the updates it will be a great thing.

Trust them not to screw up my system? Not bloody likely.
Trust them not to snoop? Again, not likely.

I'm not saying that I won't look a gift horse in the mouth... but I'll
give it a go and report on the results. I have a pristine bootable
copy I can put back in a matter of 15 minutes if they do try something
you might expect MS to do.

The worst case appears to be the reinstallation of AOL, Disney,
Earthlink, etc. that I have removed. I do not think they will actually
mess with the OS or install spyware or anything. Time will tell.

I fail to see how it is in their best interests to support my 'antique'
version of Windows. I need to know why they'd offer such a CD before I'd
even vaguely consider accepting it, much less paying for it.

I agree. It seems the security of MS products is the payoff. Many
people are running very vulnerable machines as we speak and that is
bad for business.

I try to keep a low profile with my address and it's been awhile since
I have received and MS exploited worms. A few days ago I got one
marked important from PayPal. The next day I got three. Today I got
ten. Tomorrow I'll probably get twenty if it goes as the other worms
have gone. This IMHO is the reason MS might make such an offer.

Three 3rd-party programs issued to me for one of my businesses will NOT
run under XP. No new versions are available, and I have tons of data
concerning molds, suppliers, and customers in that data system.

Until an XP version comes out, I'll stick with W98, even if it means
buying older computers and swapping parts to keep them alive.

And a "for real" CD with all pertinent updates will be an asset in
your quest. I also intend to run 98SE as long as possible. After that
I'm Linux bound. I refuse to buy another MS product, but I appreciate
them making it easy for me to keep using what I have.

My primary business is writing and publishing, and that business hasn't
suffered at all by my use of W98.

98SE was the climax in my opinion. I bought ME and within a month
formatted and reinstalled 98. There is no way I'm going to ask
permission to use software which I have purchased the use of, so
future MS products are out of the question. That is the last straw.
I'm very content with 98 though. It is truly a great product!

Stay tuned around the beginning of the year and we'll see what pans
out.

 

[AUWG]

98SE was the climax in my opinion. I bought ME and within a month
formatted and reinstalled 98. There is no way I'm going to ask
permission to use software which I have purchased the use of, so
future MS products are out of the question. That is the last straw.
I'm very content with 98 though. It is truly a great product!

Stay tuned around the beginning of the year and we'll see what pans
out.

Will do. Holler up if the CD looks clean.
Ed Howdershelt - Abintra Press
Science Fiction and Semi-Fiction
http://abintrapress.tripod.com
http://www.fictionwise.com/servlet/mw?t=author&ai=10823&id=95920

 

[Greg Hanson]

Because of the project HAILSTORM wallet inspection system
XP and other newer systems, a considerable number of
people are going to stay at Win 98SE for a long time.

How much will this security update disk cost?

http://www.winnetmag.com/article/articleid/40999/40999.html

[December 1, 2003]
Microsoft Opens Security Beta for Older Windows Versions
Paul Thurrott
InstantDoc #40999
Paul Thurrott's WinInfo

To aid customers who use early Windows versions and don't have
broadband Internet access, Microsoft is considering releasing a
CD-ROM-based security-update product that would bulk-install the
security updates the company now offers online through Windows Update.
A beta test of the potential product, dubbed the Windows Security
Update CD, will start soon, according to an email message the company
sent to testers last week, and will be aimed at Windows Me, Windows
98, and Win98 Second Edition (SE).
"This special security update CD will benefit customers with slower
dial-up Internet connections and those customers who do not regularly
visit the Microsoft Web site to download security updates," Microsoft
stated in an email message to potential testers. The beta test is
scheduled to begin in mid-December, although the company hasn't set a
release date.
Microsoft has been increasingly criticized for the security
problems in its products, and although for years the company has
offered Web-based methods that automatically deliver key security
fixes to users' computers, some critics allege that such delivery
systems are ineffectual for users who have slow, infrequently used
dial-up lines. The Windows Security Update CD would address that
complaint, although how Microsoft will deliver the CD-ROM to users or
communicate its availability is unclear. Either way, this CD-ROM will
likely be a one-off: In future Windows versions, the company will rely
on the increasing adoption of broadband to distribute security updates
to users' system on a regular basis.

 

[John Corliss]

(snip) Either way, this CD-ROM will
likely be a one-off: In future Windows versions, the company will rely
on the increasing adoption of broadband to distribute security updates
to users' system on a regular basis.

Along with who knows what other changes to the OS. No thanks. MS can
shove that disc where the sun don't shine.

 

[Ionizer]

Along with who knows what other changes to the OS. No thanks. MS can
shove that disc where the sun don't shine.

The statement about "future Windows versions" is an entirely separate issue
from the W98 update CD. One has nothing whatsoever to do with the other.

I've downloaded the vast majority of the W98 patches to a folder and intend
to burn them to CD-R once I know I've got them all, but with the longevity
of CD-R media being subject to some debate, I'd welcome the chance to
acquire the commercially-produced CD from Microsoft. I'd like to keep my
trusty PIII500 W98 system (very much my secondary computer these days)
humming forever.

Regards,
Ian.

 

[John Corliss]

The statement about "future Windows versions" is an entirely separate issue
from the W98 update CD. One has nothing whatsoever to do with the other.

IMO downloading ANY Windows "update" exposes a user to MS's hidden
agendas. If one uses:

1. common sense browsing techniques
2. a good AV program
3. anti spyware utilities
4. A GOOD FIREWALL

MS's "security updates" are usually not necessary. You can *never* be
entirely secure however, regardless of what route you go.

I've downloaded the vast majority of the W98 patches to a folder and intend
to burn them to CD-R once I know I've got them all, but with the longevity
of CD-R media being subject to some debate, I'd welcome the chance to
acquire the commercially-produced CD from Microsoft.

So far, I've had no problems with CDR media. However, CDRW media sucks
big time. I've lost very important files by trusting to that media
type. And that's even when I use ISO rather than UDF format.

I'd like to keep my
trusty PIII500 W98 system (very much my secondary computer these days)
humming forever.

I too have downloaded all the updates to my OS and have zipped them
all together. However, when I do my next format and reinstall, the
only update I intent to install is the one that corrects the bug in
System Restore. YMMV.

 

[ms]

IMO downloading ANY Windows "update" exposes a user to MS's hidden
agendas. If one uses:

1. common sense browsing techniques
2. a good AV program
3. anti spyware utilities
4. A GOOD FIREWALL

MS's "security updates" are usually not necessary. You can *never* be
entirely secure however, regardless of what route you go.


So far, I've had no problems with CDR media. However, CDRW media sucks
big time. I've lost very important files by trusting to that media
type. And that's even when I use ISO rather than UDF format.


I too have downloaded all the updates to my OS and have zipped them
all together. However, when I do my next format and reinstall, the
only update I intent to install is the one that corrects the bug in
System Restore. YMMV.

--
Regards from John Corliss
No adware, cdware, commercial software, crippleware, demoware,
nagware, shareware, spyware, time-limited software, trialware, viruses
or warez please.

John:
In the CDRW format, have you used Imation disks and results? I have had
good results with Imation CDR disks, have but not tried yet same in
rewritable format.

Mike Sa

 

[John Corliss]

John:
In the CDRW format, have you used Imation disks and results? I have had
good results with Imation CDR disks, have but not tried yet same in
rewritable format.

I tried every brand I could find, Imation was one of them. They all
suck, big time. In my opinion, this is the biggest fraud that the CD
industry's foisted on an unsuspecting public. If this is any
indication of how re-writable DVDs are going to behave, then they can
forget it.

 

[Shel]

I'd like to keep my trusty PIII500 W98 system (very much my secondary
computer these days) humming forever.

Same for me, but (hanging head) it's my primary system, a 300MHz AMD Win98
system.