Text 15599, 58 rader
Skriven 2007-01-23 22:34:06 av Rich Gauszka (1:379/45)
Ärende: Uh-Oh - Fox News is reporting theat MS snuck IE7 on their computer
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From: "Rich Gauszka" <gauszka@dontspamhotmail.com>

ROFL - looks like MS pissed off someone at Fox News

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,246023,00.html

The solution was quick and simple, but the irritation was enormous. Microsoft
decided it would use the security patch process to sneak IE 7 onto the desktops
of millions of PC users.

If it was going to try this tactic, it should have at least made sure that the
installation was so reliable that it would work virtually every time. Microsoft
has likely set back IE 7 adoption by months at least for the people who
experienced these problems.

I know that I was prepared to make a permanent switch to Firefox if I found
that I could not restore my IE 6 configuration. I may yet make greater use of
Firefox just to reduce my dependence on Explorer.

It's significant that Microsoft apparently hasn't tried a similar trick with
its corporate customers who are much more particular about how and when they
upgrade to any new application. The cries of outrage directed at Redmond would
have been a lot louder and more anguished.

There is no question that thousands of Windows XP users like myself have
successfully or even deliberately installed IE 7 and are pleased with the new
browsing features it gives them.

But why does Microsoft believe it must treat its customers like children and
trick them into installing a new application? It's like parents tricking babies
to swallow bitter medicine by mixing it with some applesauce.

It's bad enough that the Internet allows Microsoft to reach out and touch our
computers whenever it decides to do security and application updates.

Yes, it's true this is the most efficient way for Microsoft to patch its
software. Without the Internet, prompt distribution of security updates would
be impossible.

Then there are those annoying automated prompts that pop up every time one of
your applications crashes, asking whether you want to send a notice to Mother
Microsoft, telling her what bad things those nasty applications did to crash
Windows. You are never far from the comforting arms of Microsoft.

But the security update channel shouldn't be used by Microsoft to launch
marketing experiments on its customers. Nor should the patch mechanism be used
to spring new products on users without their full knowledge and acceptance.

There should be a further examination of this process to see whether Microsoft
is violating the terms of its antitrust agreements with state and federal
governments by using the security patch channel as a sly technique to head off
competing applications from the PC desktop.

As for myself, I will forever approach future "security" updates with great
caution. "Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me."

--- BBBS/NT v4.01 Flag-5
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