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Read the Fine Print
nihilist_1137 writes: "This story is about how MS changed its EULA and you just gave them control of your computer. In the section on Windows XP Professional, 'Internet-Based Services Components' paragraph says in part, 'You acknowledge and agree that Microsoft may automatically check the version of the Product and/or its components that you are utilizing and may provide upgrades or fixes to the Product that will be automatically downloaded to your Workstation Computer.'"
Doesn't this just refer to the option to have XP auto-update your pc? You can turn that option off on the desktop if you don't want it, and the first time it runs it prompts you for what it's default behavior should be.
From the website
"XP-AntiSpy is a little utility that let's you disable some built-in update and authetication 'features' in WindowsXP. For example, there's a service running in the background wich is called 'Automatic Updates'. I don't know what this service transfers from my machine to other machines on the internet, especially the MS ones. So I play it safe and disable such functions. If you like, you can even disable these function manually, by going through the System and checking or unchecking some checkboxes. This will take you approximately half an hour."
An Education is the Font of All Liberty
The problem isn't the "average user." The problem is the end-user who doesn't want software installed automatically, for stability/interoperability reasons. Our XP lab at school used to auto-update new patches and fixes, until most of the functionality for accessing the Linux/Solaris servers was completely shot, and several UI problems came up. Things that used to work (like the Zip drives) suddenly didn't. Just because Microsoft updated the software doesn't mean it got any better.
The other big issue is the DRM software Microsoft, or its partners/subsidiaries, will install. Even with prompting, if you don't upgrade, then you have no access to a content provider's new media. All in all, this sounds like a giant headache for everyone that isn't Microsoft.
OK. YOU need to re-read that sentence from the EULA... Windows update is an ACTIVE process. You have to enable it. You have to run the update. You have to select/agree the downloads.
This little 'phrase' is saying that they reserve the right to make those decisions FOR YOU.
And THAT is a bad idea, if for no reason other than their track record of patch management and hidden 'features' in their patches.
-- You can't idiot-proof anything, because they're always coming out with better idiots.
We've been complaining on this site for months, if not years, about Microsoft's security. They have a bug? We want a patch right away. We complain about downloading patches? Microsoft makes the system able to download and install them itself. All the user has to do is set up auto-install of new updates.
The problem is when you not only tell it you do NOT want auto-updates but also you STOP THE AUTO UPDATE SERVICE and then, when your computer becomes unbearably slow and unresponsive you check the process list and, uh, what's that, autoupd using all my CPU time?! But I told it I didn't WANT auto updates! ARGH..
It really happens... You cannot turn off auto updates in XP.
-- iCEBaLM
1-> i connect to a server and get a list of stuff thats updated. then my computer makes a decision.
the eula above
2-> their server can connect to mine and poke around at will.
up2date is a choice and not required by the installation. you must register your computer to use up2date. up2date is not something you explicitly agree to when you install the operating system.
to me there is a big difference.
-- john
Uh, no.
This is about Microsoft forcing you (so to speak) to give them permission to access your computer. Open source licenses do not force you to agree to allow the author/distributer to do anything with your computer. Open source licenses generally have no terms related to actual *use* of the software, they only apply to redistributing modifications to the source code.
I think it pretty much all comes down to one thing: "Don't touch my stuff!"