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The Broken Design of Microsoft's "Fix it" Tool
$luggo writes "Curious about MS Fix It, I recently went hunting in the MS knowledge base for articles that provide the new EZ-button. After locating on few, I decided to click the button to download the Microsoft Installer package containing the executable and/or files that automatically enable the DVD Library feature in Windows Vista Home Premium and Ultimate — on my XP Media Center. 'Surely, MS will use some scripting, HTTP User-Agent sniffing, or even Genuine Windows validation to verify that I am running Vista,' I thought. It did not and I canceled the download when I received the prompt to save the file. So, I wonder: is there a Fix-it for Fix it? Because I can easily imagine someone doing what I did without scrolling to the bottom of the KB article and verifying that the article applies to their OS/version. This is a great example poor design. Why not simply use the download approach that other articles / fixes / service packs use, whereby the user must select the appropriate OS?"
Curious about Brain-Repair, I recently went hunting in the Slashdot Brain Repository for summaries that provide the new brain-repair-button. After locating on few [sic], I decided to click the button to download the Slashdot package to automatically enable the the Consider Actions feature in Idiot OS - on my brain.
"Surely, Slashdot will use some pupil dilation measurements, phrenology, or even invasive surgery to verify that I do in fact have a brain," I thought. It did not and I stopped in my tracks when I received the prompt to read the study materials into my brain myself.
So, I wonder: is there a repair button for Brain-Repair? Because I can easily imagine someone doing what I did without scrolling to the bottom of the Slashdot Brain Repository and verifying that the Consider Actions package applies to their brain. This is a great example poor design. [sic] Why not simply use the Brain Preview Jar approach that other Repositories use, whereby the user must select the appropriate brain?
Well, Salamander, you lil' scamp, let us not forget computers *are* wonderful tools but for most subjects, students learn at that point in their lives (middle/high school in the US), computers aren't necessary. Think about your breathing the primary subjects - Math, Science, and Literature/Writing - where do you see the benefits in using computers? Obviously for English classes, having access to computers to type papers is handy, but it's hardly necessary unlike your breathing. Computers can be used in math to help illustrate concepts, but you don't want the students using computers to do their work, otherwise they won't know how to do it without them. And much of science is math - again, not something you want students using computers for.
=Smidge=
This is such a low-quality post that I have to wonder if you're not really a person at all but someone's failed idea of a Turing test. Really, it's not even worth modding down.
Why? If it installs and breaks the system then the user may have no choice but to go and get a new computer with vista on it.
If they had kept up to date like good little users then they wouldn't of had this problem so it isn't MS's fault.
$luggo I hope you are sat at your computer with cheeks burning from embarrasment. You fuckwit.
I'll be the first to agree the MS download site is not always the easiest to navigate and find the downloads you want, but come on man, have you never installed anything that doesn't do the system checks when run? You tit.
I'm sure that what happens is you download it, run it, it says, "Oh, I detect that you're not running Windows Vista! Let me FIX that for you!...There, $104.99 has been charged to your credit card. Where else do you want to go today?"
Don't you wish your girlfriend was a geek like me?
81 posts so far, and none mention "fucks it". Slashdot ain't what it used to be.
Confucius say, "Find worm in apple - bad. Find half a worm - worse."
If you are going to make a car analogy, do it right!
This is like when my BMW broke down and I drove my wife's Honda to the auto parts store:
Me: I need a starter motor for a 2005 BMW 325i
Clerk: I'm sorry sir, I can't sell you that part
Me: Why not?
Clerk: You are driving a 1998 Honda
Me: Yes, but I need a starter motor for a 2005 BMW
Clerk: Sir, I clearly saw you drive up in a 1998 Honda Accord
Me: Of course you did. I couldn't drive my BMW because the starter motor is dead!
Clerk: It's not dead, it's just pining for the fjords
Curious about Ms Fix It
Not after what Ms. Pac Man did to me!
It is dangerous to be right when the government is wrong.
You actually tried to RTFA? Guards!
It is dangerous to be right when the government is wrong.
You are obviously a graphics designer per this list: http://nheerdesign.wordpress.com/2007/05/31/you-know-youre-a-graphic-designer-when/