Why is XP SP2 not a "normal" critical update?

Among my various machines, I also run two XP boxen. So sue me.

In today's episode, all I would like to do is install SP2 to bring one of
them up to date with the state-of-the-wooly-art that is supposed to be XP.
Crawled all over the WindowsUpdate site, and no can do. What is VERY easy to
do is turn on automatic update so Microsoft can install and run anything
they want on my machine anytime they want to. No, thanks, even though I
stumbled over those instructions around every corner of the WindowsUpdate
site.

Q1: Why isn't SP2 offered as a "normal" "critical" update?

Q2: Why are they hiding it?

Q3: Where is it?

<rhetorical>
Q4: Will God help us if the WindowsUpdate site is ever compromised, since
that single site will be able to take over the bulk of the worlds' computing
power (once all the helpless sheep have dutifully enabled their automatic
update options)?

Q5: Does Microsoft think they own my computer?
</rhetorical>

Obviously Microsoft does think they own my computer and they think they know
better than I do where they want me to go today. In response, I would say
where they can go, but this is supposed to be a Web site for the whole
family, so with some difficulty I shall restrain my sharp tongue.

Very well put. There's a problem inherent to the process.


"Shannon Jacobs" wrote:

> Among my various machines, I also run two XP boxen. So sue me.
>
> In today's episode, all I would like to do is install SP2 to bring one of
> them up to date with the state-of-the-wooly-art that is supposed to be XP.
> Crawled all over the WindowsUpdate site, and no can do. What is VERY easy to
> do is turn on automatic update so Microsoft can install and run anything
> they want on my machine anytime they want to. No, thanks, even though I
> stumbled over those instructions around every corner of the WindowsUpdate
> site.
>
> Q1: Why isn't SP2 offered as a "normal" "critical" update?
>
> Q2: Why are they hiding it?
>
> Q3: Where is it?
>
> <rhetorical>
> Q4: Will God help us if the WindowsUpdate site is ever compromised, since
> that single site will be able to take over the bulk of the worlds' computing
> power (once all the helpless sheep have dutifully enabled their automatic
> update options)?
>
> Q5: Does Microsoft think they own my computer?
> </rhetorical>
>
> Obviously Microsoft does think they own my computer and they think they know
> better than I do where they want me to go today. In response, I would say
> where they can go, but this is supposed to be a Web site for the whole
> family, so with some difficulty I shall restrain my sharp tongue.
>
>

Microsoft does not think they own your computer. However,
they do own the Windows XP operating system and reserve the
right to offer updates to enhance it's security and stability. Your
rights include using the Windows XP operating system in accordance
with the End-User License Agreement. Please read it.

Start > Run and type: WINVER , and hit enter.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/secu...t/default.aspx

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Shannon Jacobs" wrote:

| Among my various machines, I also run two XP boxen. So sue me.
|
| In today's episode, all I would like to do is install SP2 to bring one of
| them up to date with the state-of-the-wooly-art that is supposed to be XP.
| Crawled all over the WindowsUpdate site, and no can do. What is VERY easy to
| do is turn on automatic update so Microsoft can install and run anything
| they want on my machine anytime they want to. No, thanks, even though I
| stumbled over those instructions around every corner of the WindowsUpdate
| site.
|
| Q1: Why isn't SP2 offered as a "normal" "critical" update?
|
| Q2: Why are they hiding it?
|
| Q3: Where is it?
|
| <rhetorical>
| Q4: Will God help us if the WindowsUpdate site is ever compromised, since
| that single site will be able to take over the bulk of the worlds' computing
| power (once all the helpless sheep have dutifully enabled their automatic
| update options)?
|
| Q5: Does Microsoft think they own my computer?
| </rhetorical>
|
| Obviously Microsoft does think they own my computer and they think they know
| better than I do where they want me to go today. In response, I would say
| where they can go, but this is supposed to be a Web site for the whole
| family, so with some difficulty I shall restrain my sharp tongue.
|

Hey, carey,...Go Away !!! No one needs an un-paid Microsoft shill spewing the
party line in here. We need REAL info from REAL everyday users.

"Carey Frisch [MVP]" wrote:

> Microsoft does not think they own your computer. However,
> they do own the Windows XP operating system and reserve the
> right to offer updates to enhance it's security and stability. Your
> rights include using the Windows XP operating system in accordance
> with the End-User License Agreement. Please read it.
>
> Start > Run and type: WINVER , and hit enter.
>
> --
> Carey Frisch
> Microsoft MVP
> Windows XP - Shell/User
>
> Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
> http://www.microsoft.com/athome/secu...t/default.aspx
>
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> "Shannon Jacobs" wrote:
>
> | Among my various machines, I also run two XP boxen. So sue me.
> |
> | In today's episode, all I would like to do is install SP2 to bring one of
> | them up to date with the state-of-the-wooly-art that is supposed to be XP.
> | Crawled all over the WindowsUpdate site, and no can do. What is VERY easy to
> | do is turn on automatic update so Microsoft can install and run anything
> | they want on my machine anytime they want to. No, thanks, even though I
> | stumbled over those instructions around every corner of the WindowsUpdate
> | site.
> |
> | Q1: Why isn't SP2 offered as a "normal" "critical" update?
> |
> | Q2: Why are they hiding it?
> |
> | Q3: Where is it?
> |
> | <rhetorical>
> | Q4: Will God help us if the WindowsUpdate site is ever compromised, since
> | that single site will be able to take over the bulk of the worlds' computing
> | power (once all the helpless sheep have dutifully enabled their automatic
> | update options)?
> |
> | Q5: Does Microsoft think they own my computer?
> | </rhetorical>
> |
> | Obviously Microsoft does think they own my computer and they think they know
> | better than I do where they want me to go today. In response, I would say
> | where they can go, but this is supposed to be a Web site for the whole
> | family, so with some difficulty I shall restrain my sharp tongue.
> |
>

Carey has far greater value in this group than you, so why don't you just go
away or add something constructive.

If you and your like think the SP2 is 'bad for the health of your computer'
then simply don't install it, there is no obligation. So your machine runs
fine with SP1 (you were probably among the SP1 nae sayers when that was
introduced I should guess), just keep on using SP1 and leave the rest of us
satisfied MS customers alone.


"Steve S." <> wrote in message
news:C9415D72-8CA9-4E0A-BD20-...
> Hey, carey,...Go Away !!! No one needs an un-paid Microsoft shill spewing
> the
> party line in here. We need REAL info from REAL everyday users.
>
> "Carey Frisch [MVP]" wrote:
>
>> Microsoft does not think they own your computer. However,
>> they do own the Windows XP operating system and reserve the
>> right to offer updates to enhance it's security and stability. Your
>> rights include using the Windows XP operating system in accordance
>> with the End-User License Agreement. Please read it.
>>
>> Start > Run and type: WINVER , and hit enter.
>>
>> --
>> Carey Frisch
>> Microsoft MVP
>> Windows XP - Shell/User
>>
>> Be Smart! Protect Your PC!
>> http://www.microsoft.com/athome/secu...t/default.aspx
>>
>> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>
>> "Shannon Jacobs" wrote:
>>
>> | Among my various machines, I also run two XP boxen. So sue me.
>> |
>> | In today's episode, all I would like to do is install SP2 to bring one
>> of
>> | them up to date with the state-of-the-wooly-art that is supposed to be
>> XP.
>> | Crawled all over the WindowsUpdate site, and no can do. What is VERY
>> easy to
>> | do is turn on automatic update so Microsoft can install and run
>> anything
>> | they want on my machine anytime they want to. No, thanks, even though I
>> | stumbled over those instructions around every corner of the
>> WindowsUpdate
>> | site.
>> |
>> | Q1: Why isn't SP2 offered as a "normal" "critical" update?
>> |
>> | Q2: Why are they hiding it?
>> |
>> | Q3: Where is it?
>> |
>> | <rhetorical>
>> | Q4: Will God help us if the WindowsUpdate site is ever compromised,
>> since
>> | that single site will be able to take over the bulk of the worlds'
>> computing
>> | power (once all the helpless sheep have dutifully enabled their
>> automatic
>> | update options)?
>> |
>> | Q5: Does Microsoft think they own my computer?
>> | </rhetorical>
>> |
>> | Obviously Microsoft does think they own my computer and they think they
>> know
>> | better than I do where they want me to go today. In response, I would
>> say
>> | where they can go, but this is supposed to be a Web site for the whole
>> | family, so with some difficulty I shall restrain my sharp tongue.
>> |
>>