Technical Tidbits

In honor of Patch Tuesday, August 12, 2008, ZoneAlarm (Check Point) will be offering ForceField browser security for FREE for only 24-hours!

In Microsoft’s Advance Warning notice that I receive, there will be 7 critical updates and 5 important updates.

Affected software will be: Windows 2000, Windows XP (SP2 and 3), Windows XP Professional - including x64 edition and SP2, Windows Server 2003 (including: SP1 & SP2, x64, and SP1 & SP2 for Itanium-based Systems),  Windows Vista (including: SP1, x64 and x64 SP1), Windows Server 2008 for 32-bit Systems, Windows Server 2008 for x64-based Systems, Windows Server 2008 for Itanium-based Systems, Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool (now there’s a surprise! NOT!), Non-Security, High-Priority Updates on MU (*Microsoft Update), WU (*Windows Update), and WSUS (*Windows Server Update Service), Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.01 Service Pack 4, Microsoft Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 1, Microsoft Internet Explorer 6, Microsoft Internet Explorer 7, Media Player 11, Microsoft Outlook Express 5.5 Service Pack 2, Microsoft Outlook Express 6 (including SP 1), Windows Mail (Vista), Windows Messenger 4.7, and 5.1. There is also supposed to be critical updates for Access, Excel, and PowerPoint but it’s not clear what versions they are yet.

So, first thing tomorrow morning, head over to ZoneAlarm’s special site here: www.zonealarm.com/patchtuesday and get yourself a copy of ForceField. I think we’re all going to need it!

written by Admin \\ tags: access, Check Point, excel, ForceField, free, free forcefield, Internet Explorer, messenger, Microsoft, microsoft update, OE, Outlook Express, Patch Tuesday, powerpoint, vista, windows mail, Windows Server, windows update, Windows Vista, Windows XP, ZoneAlarm

While eating my breakfast this morning, I thought I’d browse my recent edition of eWeek magazine (yes, I still get paper magazine delivered!).

The front page of the March 10, 2008 edition boasted an interview with Steve Ballmer, M$ CEO.

I was okay with the interview until I got to the section that discussed the fact that even though Vista and Windows Server are from the same code base, Vista is not seen as a great, reliable, advanced operating system, while Windows Server has been favorably received.

The interviewer, Peter Galli, asks Ballmer, “Why do you think there is this divergence of perceptions?” A fair question to ask!

I couldn’t get past the first section of Ballmer’s reply without wanting to throw up my breakfast!

Ballmer says, “I think there are two things that people see in Vista. I think most importantly is the set of compatibility issues that people see. Now, it’s ironic, as compatibility is primarily not what I would call quality.”

Excuse me Mr. Ballmer? Then just what is your definition of QUALITY? Quality of code? Quality of bloat? Quality of locking down security so much that I’d rather put a sledgehammer to the machine then figure out what the heck I need to do to unlock the freaking thing?

I can see it now…… “Yes, look at my new quad core PC using Vista. I can’t do a fracking thing on it, but the code sure is QUALITY!”

There you go folks! Run out and get your copies of the QUALITY VISTA Windows Operating System.  Dysfunctional for use, but definitely quality! Be the first on your block to own a totally useless high tech machine!

I’m running to the store right now Steve Ballmer! Thanks for the heads up!

written by Admin \\ tags: Microsoft, operating system, Steve Ballmer, vista, windows, Windows Server