[QUOTE=SmartAleq]
borschevsky: 
I suspect that WGA is built into the browser and even though my version of XP is squeaky clean, having shipped with the laptop, I object to WGA under moral grounds and those effers can bite me…
[/QUOTE]
Did it require validating Windows for those of you who updated?
There is an update for one of our state apps it own’t work with, so I’m waiting.
I just installed it. I love, love, love the ClearType feature. It’s a huge upside. It’s very Firefox-y which I like, I still will probably use Firefox as my primary browser but I like having both installed and up to date.
On issue that I noticed though, somehow it’s interfering with my ability to check my Hotmail Internet mail account with Outlook 2003. I’ve had it set up and working for over a year now and as soon as I did this it keeps poppig up the login screen over and over again and fail saying the login is invalid.
No idea why the IE7 update would cause this but it does. Gonna try uninstalling it and see if it fixes the issue. So long as I can get my Outlook working again IE might win me back from Firefox.
Uninstalled IE7 and now my Outlook works fine. Looks like I’ll be sticking with Firefox afterall. Tough to believe that that bug was overlooked, I’m sure the combo of Outlook 2003, Hotmail and IE7 isn’t a rare one.
One upside, a little research uncovered the fact that all of XP can use ClearType and you just have to turn it on. Now my Firefox, Outlook and Office all look pretty and soothing on the eyes too!
[QUOTE=Omniscient]
One upside, a little research uncovered the fact that all of XP can use ClearType and you just have to turn it on. Now my Firefox, Outlook and Office all look pretty and soothing on the eyes too!
[/QUOTE]
"And there was much Wailing and Gnashing of Teeth at Microsoft, and Bill Gates did Fire and Hire and Move His People about…
Damn, the Dope looks fine!
[QUOTE=Omniscient]
One upside, a little research uncovered the fact that all of XP can use ClearType and you just have to turn it on. Now my Firefox, Outlook and Office all look pretty and soothing on the eyes too!
[/QUOTE]
So how do you turn it on?
[QUOTE=EddyTeddyFreddy]
So how do you turn it on?
[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=carnivorousplant]
Here.
[/QUOTE]
Thanks! Done, and while the difference isn’t huge, it is noticeable.
This CNet review of IE7 is quite critical of the new browser, but it concludes thus:
[QUOTE=Ice Wolf]
That yellow shield thingy is getting insistent,
[/QUOTE]
You can eliminate this by clicking on it to update, but selecting the custom update rather than the default automatic one, then de-selecting all the pieces Microsoft wants to install on your machine, and then proceeding with the (non-)install. You might have to select a “Don’t remind me of this update again” box before exiting.
Once you’ve done this, it thinks the install is done, and stops annoying you with the yellow shield.
(I’m going from memory here, so I may have got some of the terminology wrong. But the basic idea is to initiate the upgrade, but de-select all the upgrade pieces.)
Um… why are you guys all up in arms about WGA?
Unless you’re using a cracked copy, it doesn’t really affect you… and if you ARE, then you can hardly come down on Microsoft for refusing to supply updates for your illegal software…
[QUOTE=Really Not All That Bright]
Um… why are you guys all up in arms about WGA?
[/QUOTE]
Maybe because it seems to identify a valid, legal copy as illegal a large part of the time. (As high as 60%, according to some reports.)
[QUOTE=Really Not All That Bright]
Unless you’re using a cracked copy, it doesn’t really affect you… and if you ARE, then you can hardly come down on Microsoft for refusing to supply updates for your illegal software…
[/QUOTE]
By that same reasoning, unless you’re talking about illegal stuff, you shouldn’t object if the government wiretaps your phone.
You don’t see any point in standing up for your rights?
[QUOTE=Wakinyan]
You need to have Internet Explorer on your Windows installation; and the latest are the most secure.
Yes, you should install it. I run Firefox too, as a default browser, but not updating your Windows and Microsoft applications, or any other application for that matter, is dumb.
Thing is, if you have some common sense, if you have a firewall (yes, Windows Firewall is good enough), if you have updated antivirus software, and if you update your OS and apps – you’re safe as home user.
[/QUOTE]
I will grant that the latest release is more secure than previous releases. But that’s like saying I’m better off because there’s still a wall standing of my house after a fire, instead of it burning totally to the ground. IE is a bug-ridden POS, and it is still the biggest security risk to your computer.
[QUOTE=t-bonham@scc.net]
Maybe because it seems to identify a valid, legal copy as illegal a large part of the time. (As high as 60%, according to some reports.)
[/QUOTE]
Didn’t know about that. Fair enough.
The right to software updates is hardly a fundamental liberty of man.
By your reasoning, I should object when the valet parking guy asks for my tag before he’ll give back my car.
[QUOTE=Really Not All That Bright]
The right to software updates is hardly a fundamental liberty of man.
[/QUOTE]
I believe part of the issue was that MS was taking user information from the PC for their records.
I upgraded about a week ago - no problems. All other applications are still operational. No issue with the WGA thingy.
[QUOTE=carnivorousplant]
I believe part of the issue was that MS was taking user information from the PC for their records.
[/QUOTE]
That’s a perfectly sensible objection. I am hereby satisfied and add notice of my displeasure with WGA.
Is it a data miner? Or does it just send system specs to MS?
[QUOTE=t-bonham@scc.net]
You can eliminate this by clicking on it to update, but selecting the custom update rather than the default automatic one, then de-selecting all the pieces Microsoft wants to install on your machine, and then proceeding with the (non-)install. You might have to select a “Don’t remind me of this update again” box before exiting.
Once you’ve done this, it thinks the install is done, and stops annoying you with the yellow shield.
(I’m going from memory here, so I may have got some of the terminology wrong. But the basic idea is to initiate the upgrade, but de-select all the upgrade pieces.)
[/QUOTE]
Cool. Thanks, I’ll do that now.
[QUOTE=Really Not All That Bright]
The right to software updates is hardly a fundamental liberty of man.
[/QUOTE]
On the other hand, denying critical security updates to users (even software pirates) makes us all more insecure and vulnerable.
I couldn’t care less if an unpatched, pirated version of XP gets infected with a virus that wipes out the user’s harddrive. No skin off my nose. However, if that same unpatched computer gets a trojan that turns it into a zombie spam relay, then I care very much.
Unfortunately, this WGA BS has everything to do with increasing sales and and very little to do with security. In fact, there’s a very real possibility that it could make the security situation worse for everybody.
[QUOTE=Really Not All That Bright]
Is it a data miner? Or does it just send system specs to MS?
[/QUOTE]
It is my understanding that it sent system specs and names. MS says they stopped the practice after the public outcry.
[QUOTE=carnivorousplant]
It is my understanding that it sent system specs and names. MS says they stopped the practice after the public outcry.
[/QUOTE]
And of course we always believe our corporate overlords–therefore IE7 is an improvement, VISTA!!! is an excellent OS, WGA is here to help us and Billy Boy won’t come in our mouths… urp
Yoo hoo, puking smiley! C’mere, boy, I have a job for you…