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Microsoft To Offer Virus Defense
FridayBob writes "According to the New York Times, Microsoft plans to
enter the consumer antivirus business
with a subscription service next year.
Most of us will remember
Microsoft's assimilation of RAV Antivirus from GeCAD Software of Romania in 2003." From the article: "Microsoft plans to expand the service beyond its 60,000 employees this summer and offer an open trial for consumers this fall. No date has been set for a commercial introduction, but the executive in charge of the new business said it would ultimately be offered as an annual service by subscription."
We'll give you virus "protection" for a small monthly fee.
It's like paying the mob for "protection" when you pay Microsoft for "security". Thanks but no thanks. I've seen enough Soprano episodes to know what can happen when you deal with the mob.
The chick who gave me AIDS sold me Crixivan and condoms
.357 Desert Eagle
The guy who broke into my apartment sold me new locks and an alarm
And the mugger who shot me sold me a Kevlar vest and a
No, that would be Linux.
A clever person solves a problem, A wise person avoids it. -Einstein
Yes ridicule + scorn, because the way they are going about it is by applying a band-aid (which they charge you for) instead of fixing the _actual_ problem (the holes that allow viruses on in the first place).
To use an analogy I saw a couple posts up, that would be like GM selling cars without any brakes, and then charging later for their add-on high-impact bumper, so when you hit stuff, you won't break hte car. They should just sell a goddamn working car in the first place.
-Jesse
Nothing says "unprofessional job" like wrinkles in your duct tape.
or is Microsoft trying VERY hard to get into every successful computer related business?
- Anti-spyware
- Anti-virus
- Games console & PC
- The OS
- Office Suite
- Networking Hardware
- ISP
- Phones
- PDAs
- Cars
Ummm I don't thing the DOJ is watching our favorite monopoly very closely. Soon there will be a Microsoft option for everything that can be purchased. I can see it now in stores:
Bob: Hey Carla how about these cool Levis?
Carla: Nah I would rather have the MS-Jeans. They have Anti-virus protection I'll never be sick again.
Bob: Ummm...
Nothing is impossible. It just hasn't been figured out yet.
Diseases don't come from popularity. Britney Spears has avoided aids eventhough she's popular. Diseases come from not using protection, if Microsoft cared to build their software with condoms preinstalled there wouldn't be problems. The ideer that "vira is common so we don't have to do nothing" is old and out of date.
If they charged more for Longhorn to fund the battle of security that would be fine, but to try n charge extra is just plain evil.
It also makes it economically stupid to fix ANY future security flaws in the OS, and ofcause puts a potential gain in putting in costum securityholes.
I wonder how long it will be before other antivirus software magically stops working and the MS stuff comes prebundled with their OS.
When you get a virus, you need to call some 1-800-microsoft-number. Afterwards, you will provide them home address, name and other personal information. At that point, you will receive a 128 digit Activation key over the phone to install the patch.
Hey how come there is no antivirus software needed on unix platforms?
Here's a little allegorical play scene by Me:
Salesman: Mr. Smith, here's your new car.
Mr. Smith: Thanks, Bill. Say, where's the seat belts?
Salesman: Oh, that'll be extra.
Mr. Smith: There's no windows or doorlocks either?
Salesman: Oh, that's extra, too.
Mr. Smith: I'm confused, Bill. Isn't my car supposed to be fully functional and include safety features?
Salesman: Well, Mr. Smith, we can include them on a trial bases for 30 days, but you'll have to return them or pay the subscription price.
Mr. Smith: What the f*ck, Bill? You mean I have to PAY repeadetly for something that should come with my car?
Salesman: Yes, Mr. Smith. Did you not read the EULA?
Mr. Smith: I think I want my money back.
Salesman: I'm afraid I can't let you do that, Mr. Smith.
Mr. Smith: Why the f*ck not?
Salesman: Because by opening the car door, you agreed to the EULA and you are bound to its terms and conditions.
Mr. Smith: You're a bastard, Bill.
Salesman: Actually, I'm the spawn of Satan.
I might know what I'm talkin' about, but then again, this is Slashdot...
Buy three McGrease Sliders (TM) and get a free trial of the new Pee-a-Bucket chewy tablet. Comes in three flavors. After a few months, the McDiet pills will be charged separately.
Unimaginative, grumpy consumer associations have derided the new offer, saying that McDonald's should reduce the high sugar, grease, salt and cholesterol content of their food in the first place.
--
Mad science! Robots! Underwear! Cute girls! Full comic online! http://www.girlgeniusonline.com/
The correct phrase is "Arm-chair quarterback": an unqualified person who tries to lead a team from a comfortable position in their own living room.
A Monday-night quarterback would be a player that's quarterbacking a football team on "Monday Night Football". That guy is presumably competent, which runs counter to the rest of your argument.