Slashdot Mirror
Evaluating Windows XP Service Pack 2 RC2
dncsky1530 writes "Information Week has a good evaluation of Windows XP SP2, excerpt: "The code for release candidate 2 finally looks like a real release candidate. And sure enough, it will help you big-time with security. But what sorts of headaches will the eventual final version mean for IT shops? We'll take it piece by piece... Remember when Microsoft said service packs wouldn't deliver any new functionality? That lasted for about six months back in 1997. Windows XP Service Pack 2 is jammed-packed with both invisible and visible improvements to Windows XP. The biggest boon is that the free update, which will probably ship some time in September, does in fact make Windows XP far more secure""
Unfortunately, it doesn't really do a lot to protect against spyware. It's mostly a pretty front end to remind you to a) install a virus checker, b) install a firewall (or enable the default Windows firewall - and given the Microsoft security track record, who in their right mind would rely on that?!) and c) reboot your machine after you've installed an update. This last reminder is particularly annoying as it pops up from the system tray approximately every 10 minutes, with the default dialog option set to reboot. In the middle of typing something? Just hit enter right at the moment that the reboot reminder box pops up? Tough - you're rebooting whether you relike it or not! Poor poor POOR UI design there, Bill...
Sunday you're Thinking Different, Monday you're a huge tool, paying too much and waiting to think like everyone else.
In addition to the issues already raised by other posters, there is another problem that the article does allude to but doesn't explain: The firewall keeps turning itself on!
I have run SP2 since the first release candidate. I don't use the windows firewall since I already have hardware + software firewalls. XP SP2 detects the software firewall correctly (mcafee). But at least once every other day Windows turns on the damn XP SP2 firewall. It's a pain in the ass and the real problem is that you don't know it's on. You only realize it's turned itself back on when it announces that it has blocked a connection.