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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.'"
This is nothing more than the automatic Windows Update feature which IS NOT EVEN ON BY DEFAULT!!! It specifically asks you whether or not you want to enable the feature, and explains exactly what it is used for. This is nothing new. Just the typical "IT'S MICROSOFT SO IT MUST BE EVIL" attitude of /.
This, of course, is why we use Free Software. This is why freedom is important. I will give it that perhaps the word 'freedom' has a slightly different meaning...it means no needless restrictions on software.
But these Microsoft threads we can safely ignore. I've already decided not to upgrade to another version of Windows (Windows 95 was the last one) on any of my computers. With GNU/Linux, we can safely click "I agree" (if we are ever prompted) without feeling like a hypocrite.
If you notice the trend is that not only is there more proprietary software but somehow it is becoming *more* proprietary. In that, there are becoming more restrictions and the developers are reigning more control over the software we use. From owning software to leasing it to soon we'll be renting it. Its the difference between buying a house and renting one. In the former, you just live there and pay taxes once a year. In the latter its like you're hiding from the land lord because you didn't tell her about your cat!
I wish they had limited themselves to "bugfixes and security fixes". However, this is still much better than expecting granny Smith to go to windowsupdate.microsoft.com whenever she reads about a new vulnerability on bugtraq.
Realistically, automatic updates are needed if you can ever expect home computers to be reasoably secure. Very few end users bother to keep up with all the new worms, and most don't even know how to retrieve the quickfix from microsoft.
Does anybody have stats on how quickly an out-of-the-box install gets hacked vs. how quickly an up-to-date box gets hacked?
Stop the brainwash