To Stingray57 -

Isn't hate a crime? Can we users decide which OS we want to deal with, rather than getting told by someone?

Maybe I should dig out the security bulletin about a Linux kernel patch which introduced another vulnerability. It was just 2 weeks ago or so. See, Linux world do that as well. Why no one is laughing? Is it because they're too petty to even get noticed?

Is Ubuntu getting smaller or bigger from 6.10 to 7.10? Well, maybe we should look back further so that we can see the general trend - Is Linux getting smaller and smaller with each release? If it's not, what are you complaining about?

There are heaps of articles about how to disable UAC. It's not MS's fault that someone refuse to disable UAC then get fed up with it. Man.

Too many versions? I still haven't counted how many "distros" Linux has produced. Can you?

W3C compliant? Well, what I heard lately is that the web programming society start to think W3C has become more an obstacle than help to the web programming world, because it simply couldn't keep up with new technologies. I don't care about it, and I don't think anyone should. Make a damn good product then everyone will follow suit, then it becomes standard. That's my caveman's understanding about the word "compliance".

Enough said. I'm really tired of reading posts that is full of hatred, therefore significantly biased, just like yours. The thing is, nowadays it's everywhere. Maybe I should quit IT.

M$ fails yet again and people continue to buy their shoddy, insecure software...M$ drones.

get IE 7 already, or else use linux (or mac)! nuf said

Yes, I'm sure you're using a Mac right now with some obscure browser. We all know you use Windows you wanna be non-conformist.

You are truly pathetic. Go back to your laborers job pit.

By the way, as fun as the Wii is to play, I can see how the charm wears off very quickly and also why people don't buy more games other than the Wii Sports and Wii Play that almost eveybody buys.

I'll even take the PS3 over the Wii after playing it for a couple days.

It's right up your alley though. The Wii is for the elderly and pre-school children, both of which sh!t themselves and drool all over.

Whoever is still using IE6 (after getting repeat suggestions to upgrade) deserves to have problems

Interesting to see this NOW. AFTER IE7 comes out. I've been saying the same thing over the last several years. NOW people are in agreement with me that IE6 is crap. What gives?

These guys are a joke- Everyone knows it. I mean really everyone has come to be complacent with the BSOD, system lockups and bloated code.

They issue updates and patches and all they do with those; install software you don't ask for, extract personal data without your permission and keep you on a leash by making you reactivate your OS if you have to change the MB or HD.

With each release of their OS, it requires more and more resources. Ubuntu installs on basically anything and it's stable. Stable enough Dell is distributing it on their laptops.

Vista is the v2 of Windows ME. I have a copy of it and I have tried it and removed it for Ubuntu. I can't stand the 'stupid user' interface. You would think you were 3 years old the way they keep asking the same darn questions over and over. Are you sure, are you sure,are you sure... Well I already answered the darn question; just freaking do it!

And what the heck is with all the freaking versions? Does anyone really want anything other than ultimate? I would have loved to hear the marketing meeting that day; Morons.

I don't ever do updates anymore automatically. I read exactly what's wrong and what they say they are installing. With the fiasco with WGA and IE7 auto-install crap; I don't trust'm and they are making it clear everyone; they don't trust YOU.

The latest was the deal with the 'let me spy on you for 90 days and I'll give you VISTA.' - I just don't know who they think they are, what they are doing and where the heck is the QA dept on this stuff; hello beta testers!

Oh and lets start rejoicing- MS says with the release of v8 of IE, they might be W3C compliant. Let's say that again- 'VERSION 8'. The most dominate browser on the market and it's running on code that's broken... that's what you can do when you can force the OS to DL and install anything you want to some unsuspecting customers PC.

Windows is the dominate OS right now, but it's not always going to be that way. It took MS to get where they are and it's going to take time to convince people 'there's a choice' and you don't have to be cattle...

We only talk about MS, but the high amount of money which most of us spend after every "upgrade" is paid essentially to a pool of hardware manufacturers and dealers. Games, multimedia, constant ads and mostly the fear of more or less real dangers induced by constant updates and security patches are the hook to increase sales of new computers, even more in Christmas. IMHO corporate networks not interested in gaming at all will use Linux whenever possible to reduce costs. In case of need most of them have the possibility to pay skilled personnel to introduce changes in the OS and essential apps to avoid external dangers. More difficult, but also possible, is that unskilled home users become tired of all this and massively decide to buy gaming devices to play games and specific multimedia devices for films and music, leaving their computers only for the Internet and Microsoft Office. None of this things are good for MS. They should remember that not always excellency means sales. I.e. remind what happened to the Concorde supersonic planes.

well said "...again"

The download page to the 12/20 patch does mention it is for IE6 only - re the System Requirements section

It Could Be Worse

Ver 10.1 = $129.99
Ver 10.2 = $129.99
Ver 10.3 = $129.99
Ver 10.4 = $129.99
Ver 10.5 = $129.99

You're right it could be worse

Viruses
Spyware
Trojans Horses
Keyloggers
Rootkits
Bloated and buggy antivirus programs like Norton and McAfee.
A Mac Rip OS like Vista which is buggy as hell and already made old and obsolete by the release of Mac OS X Leopard.
Registry and DLL hell
An OS released by the most inept and incompetent company known to man, Microsoft.
Mysterious error messages and frequent blue screens of death.
Vista Ultimate $399!!!!!! LOL, LOL, LOL

So yeah mthayer troll, it could be MUCH worse (^__^)

You know, virus inactivity in Mac os just shows that this is NOT POPULAR OS at all. Apple want you to think like that, employing best PR agencies in a world, but...it still 4% of OS market. LOL LOL LOL.

Since .Net was created is no more DLL hell. Registry is the best part of system, its way better that searching through millions of INI files in Mac/Linux/Unix. Just don't misuse it.
BTW Vista have application virtualization technology -which is reduce all risks.
New Server 2008 far better than ALREADY OLD leopard.

Tell me what so new in Leopard? New icons, new effects? So what. Its not about technology, its all about graphics dude:) People vote for Windows!

And last.... ALL Mac users HAVE habbit to emulate Vista on MAc :))) simply because of no good software for mac :))) oh yeah...some adobe...

Dude you do realize the reason that we Mac and Linux users don't have to contend with virus, spyware, trojans, keyloggers, and root kits don't you? It is because our insignificant numbers.

Kudos to you, my friend.

Yep... gotta love those so-called "major" updates. :)

"A Mac Rip OS like Vista which is buggy as hell and already made old and obsolete by the release of Mac OS X Leopard."

Fail.

"While the Apple hype machine and its fanatical followers would have you believe that Mac OS X 10.5 "Leopard" is a major upgrade to the company's venerable operating system, nothing could be further from the truth."

http://www.winsupersite....iews/macosx_leopard.asp

http://www.winsupersite....osx_leopard_preview.asp

Good links there, if you can manage to detach your lips from between Jobs' back pockets long enough to check them out.

Shoo. Git.

Nice try, but try again.

http://www.informationwe...tml?articleID=202802284

http://www.changewave.co...e-121007-AppleMacs.html

Good links there, if you can manage to detach your lips from between Ballmer's fat back pockets long enough to check them out.

Shoo. Git.

"There are many things that suddenly work better than ever before, or just more efficiently, or, in some cases, finally work properly. None of this is new, per se, but it's the product of years of hard, diligent work by the development teams at Apple."

Ahh, so basically Jobs deemed it necessary to charge Mac users an additional $700 since 2001 for the privilege of finally having features that work better... or work finally? Nice business model. Microsoft releases similar updates called Service Packs... and they're free.

There are plenty of things that were broken with 10.5 as well. I guess another $130 will get Mac users back on track eventually.

Hahahaha....now THAT is funny. You forgot to mention how each version changes the design of the Launcher a bit and adds a new screensaver.

$649 to go from OS 10.1 to 10.6

$399 to go from XP to Vista Ultimate.

Knowing your operating system actually added some real improvements....priceless.

Look at the difference between XP and Vista as opposed to the difference between OSX since the beginning. Not much has changed. I use both and I prefer OSX but I am not too stubborn to admit that Apple is robbing us blind and not giving us anything special because they know that they are way ahead of the competition in terms of stability. Of course they have BSD UNIX to thank for that. Apple is just as shady as M$...get over it. Mac fanboys make me sick.

Yea sadly the more people that get a Mac or a Nix box...the closer they come to the hell that has reigned down upon MS.

Wow... an honest Mac user who isn't afraid to tell it like it is instead of how the Jobs hype machine wants everyone to think.

You must be that legendary black Mac sheep. =P

"Apple is just as shady as M$...get over it. Mac fanboys make me sick."

Amen to that...Just as shady just not near as ambitious.

I pay SO MUCH RESPECT fot that compariso and paragraph. So much honesty in those words. We need those kind of posts in the whole web.

Too bad your just too obtuse and inept to realize just how messed up your Windows world really is. Take a look at this article, this just proves how Macs really are cheaper and FAAAAAARRRRRRRRRR safer. If your information is compromised by a virus or spyware, how much will that cost you in the long run? Yet another reason Macs are superior. Read it and get educated son.

http://www.electronista....ndows.antivirus.failure/

It's too bad your head's so far up Steve Jobs' a** to realize that Macs aren't impervious to virus and malware infections.

The last I recall, there are numerous anti-virus solutions available to Mac users... and the options available didn't stop with OS X. Why do you suppose that is?

The fact that there are simply not as many exploits available for OS X isn't the point. If there is but only one, it still shatters your precious little warped reality of a perfect Apple-branded OS that simply does not exist... and that's good enough for me.

funny thing about that internetworld is .... NONE OF THOSE EFFECT VISTA. and you have a choice of which antivirus / firewall you stick with.

Measuring an Os's success by the number of viruses targeting it? LOL. Crazy as it sounds, it is quite true.

Although, predominantly a Windows user, I am a big fan of *nix based machines. The popularity of an OS, in my opinion, is firmly based on the development community around it. It is the single biggest reason why Windows is the dominant OS. Same applies to any industry, for ex car sales.

Ironically, with the advent of .NET, and its open souce counterpart (Mono), it may actually help Mac sales if enough applications are developed.

Hmmm...no response to the link I posted? No intelligent comeback? Just insults and emotional gibberish that not even you believe? LOL. OWNDED.

Stop resisting the urge and make the switch. "Resistance is futile." (^__^)

First, you are not FORCED to upgrade when Apple release a new version (no Directx 10 or such crap). You could still keep using panther (10.3 release) without fear. If you are a upgrade-maniac it is ok, just pay for the new product (not a $400 bill either)! At least, you have the option to do it. Apple will not try to force you to upgrade as Microsoft does.
Aditionally, you could install 10.5 in a 5 year computer and it will work not only flawlessly but faster. Did you try a Vista upgrade? Wow, that is pathetic. You waste $400 and get a box with an incomplete product (beta) that work worse than what you upgrade from (XP), that is a fraud. But you dare to say Apple is worse? You should try before write...

Apple will not try to force you to upgrade as Microsoft does.

O RLY?

Vista ain't perfect either. Much more to do with size of target than security of OS (not that any of these fanboys would *ever* admit to such a thing)

Wow.

I paid under $100 to go from XP to Vista Ultimate.

You got screwed.

*laughing my a** off*

PC Tool, try to read the hole post, do not quote a single line out of context, please.
Even when Apple sell its hardware and their business model might push you to refresh the hardware, Apple make sure the new OS work (pretty well) with older hardware. Microsoft try to make sure exactly the other way, even when they do not sell hardware (comercial agreements?).
More than that, Microsoft options include to copy the Apple business model discussed here(paying for minor versions). I think they should make a working product first for that, but hey, they are still selling a Beta for $400, don´t they?

Fail.

There are more *nix based devices and computers in the world than M$ Windoze.

Care to prove that? That sounds like a rather ridiculous claim to me...

Nah, it's not futile... but it sure is fun.

I suppose I'm a member of the Windows elite, seeing as how I know how to properly configure security settings, and never seem to fall victim to all of these so-called critical security risks (most of which only pose a serious threat under the rarest of circumstances, usually with nothing more than proof-of-concept exploits).

A little common sense and experience goes a long way.

Who's still using IE 6 now that Microsoft is distributing IE 7 without any of their anti-piracy checks any more. They've been doing this for some two months now. IE 6 is ancient history.

I have FireFox on my machines too...

33.6% of people were still using IE6 in November 2007 - more than the 21.0% of people using IE7.

So I'd say this is still quite relevant.

Patch of another patch needs patching LMAO! Here we go again M$, I really think ye should just give up developing IE, its a lost cause.

I agree.

Seriously, is there anything Microsoft did not screw up in 2007? Microsoft is now synonymous with SNAFU.

LOL

Why put up with this? Again, why put up with this? No really, why put up with this? Guys this is ridiculous, come out of the stone ages of computing and switch to a Mac. You simply will experience nothing but flawless computing out of the box. Don't believe me? Take a look for yourself --> http://www.apple.com/getamac/works.html

Millions of Windows users already have; many others are off to Linux land!

Wow... millions, huh?

Wow did you actually use the companies OWN site to plug your cause....

Ever heard of 3rd party reviews....

pathetic.

can you show me proof of this?

I'd say you could say millions now. Not necessarily high numbers of millions, but there's enough people trying it out and sticking with it.

lmao...

Not: Linux and Mac are better (subjective but arguable)

Not: This wouldn't be a problem in Linux or Mac (obvious, since they don't have IE7, but at least factual)

Nope.

Instead we get baseless claims and absolutely no attempt to back it up or link to a confiming study.

Zridling: You WIN! (You can pick up your prize at the nearest welfare center.)

"could"

"probably"

I see a pattern here....

If at first you don't succeed......

I think you hit the nail on the head there!

microsoft and their patches... will they ever end...?

i mean, there were only so many that made frankenstien functional and operational.

Didn't Apple just have a ton of them either this or last week? I guess patches will never end for everyone that makes software.

apple doesnt do patches. they do updates.

Ah same thing different word.

No it's not son, get a clue. Major, major, major difference. Don't bring Apple into this junk. Macs don't have these retarded problems like PC's.

I think microsoft should own the rights to the word...

no no no... you're confused. Apple patches just like Microsoft. Now an update for Apple is releasing the equivalent of a Microsoft service pack with 1 or 2 new features. This then gives them a reason to give it a new version name and number hence allowing them to charge all of their cultists for a "new" OS.

No realy on a more serious note all you zealots need to give it a rest. I've not yet decided which are the worst. The Windows flock proclaim that their OS is the best and can never be toppled. The Apple cultists say that they are the most safe computer users on the planet but windows user will argue that is because they are an insignificant few. Then there are the Linux zealots who say their OS is best and most secure which is also argued away by the insignificant few viewpoint. All OS have their strengths and drawbacks. It is a simple matter of what works best for you and not what others think is best for you. From what I have read about OSX it is certainly and excellent OS that does some things better than windows. Windows does some things better than Mac(keep in mind this is just an opinion on information from the web and not personal experience.) Now I come to Linux. Linux is a great choice as well. It has things it accells at just as Windows and OSX do but games just isn't one of them. Of course there is Wine and Cedega but these are not the cure all silver bullet that most zealots make them out to be. Now I'm not saying that OSX or Linux will be the one to topple the Windows behemoth or that it ever will but the thing to remember is that Windows is not bullet proof. Mac and Linux certainly have their strong suites. Mac is already a viable alternative. To some Linux is as well, to others not so much but that will change with time. Remember even the great windows didn't get as easy as it is now over night. Anyway I'm rambling. Lets just all get along.

(not calling you a zealot NULLedge, just generalizing)

Your right there are never exploites in Apple software. What a crock of sh^t

Yeah look at those Quicktime security updates released all the time.

essentially the same thing dumba**

Look are all those million machine Linux / Mac bot nets... oh wait.

...first you'd need a million Linux/Mac users. ;)

Since the last patch the only IE that seems to be working is Open in IE from Firefox... Good move MS. Can you please finally give us an UNINSTALL for IE... I want rid of this piece of crap once and for all please.

while i feel your pain, i'd settle for an install on other platforms like linux and os x. the easiest solution to ditching ie is to ditch the windows virus that bundled it.

uninstall your OS...that is the only way.

Microsuck and their Winblows with Servicepack BSOD and now with gold edition clandestine backdoor coming in the new year.

lol , your all suckers.

windblows, microsuck? oh, i see what you did there.

That was pretty creative there, almost.

You left out Crapple and Crapintosh... Fair is fair ya know.

no one says macintosh anymore. its not hip. it's just "mac" now.

Clever twist on words, yet can't spell "you're" correctly.

I'm surprised McCoy didn't recommend upgrading to Internet Explorer 7 rather than simply applying a patch to the older version.

If you cannot get rid of it, might as well upgrade to a more secure version of it (if you're able to).

IE7 still has compatibility issues with some websites. I daresay if they *could* upgrade from IE6, they would have done so and run with FF or IE7 a long time ago.

Yea ok Scumbag... IE 7 does not install in all versions of Windows Either. TYVM MS Crap bags... So don't give me that s*** about Upgrade or die... There is no way to be RID of IE totally in windows. and thats the problem. If we could just uninstall the defective product, when upgrading is not an option because of BS policies at MS, then we could use a Browser that actually WORKS and not have to worry about the IE Vulnerabilities ever again...

But NOOO MS Will Never allow a user to uninstall IE completly... They sit on that to secure their monopoly, wither we use it or not.

And Excuse me, but IE7 interface SUCKS. Everything about it is nothing but a piece of crap knockoff of better Browsers with more customization and better interfaces then IE could EVER provide.

On my laptop,I went to IE7 twice but was unable to get my wireless to work and went back both times. Easier than trying to troubleshoot the wi-fi problem!

Morgan

Scumbag? I certainly hope that wasn't directed towards me, for I have said nothing to justify that type of response.

I did suggest upgrading if you're able to. I am well aware of IE7's inability to be installed on versions of Windows no longer supported by Microsoft.

Also, I do wholeheartedly agree with the apparent necessity for an uninstall feature for IE. I see no reason why Microsoft shouldn't be able to come up with some type of separate Windows Update utility that doesn't rely on IE. Other operating systems seem to have that area covered just fine.

Yes you have. It fits you perfectly, like a glove.

Aww, look... I've got a groupie now. That's sweet.

Total security doesn't exist anywhere at all in our lives. In the MS OS everybody is using just the same drivers, folders and parameters. When a hacker discovers a failure using his own computers he may easily hack all others. MS must therefore be totally attentive to security concerns, and that's why they must release endless patches, occasionally causing unwanted crashes. IMHO the alternative to this may only be the open code, because you may customize at ease essential points in your OS and even in your most important apps so that nobody but you may reach everything in your personalized computers. But until now this is only possible for those who have a high professional level and not for ordinary people.

I like your idea. Only flaw is less than 1 in 10000 able to customize their OS.

I agree with you. We are talking about that proportion in relation with open code users and the number of them just now is almost so small as that of users of Windows 98 SE (http://www.w3counter.com/globalstats.php?), and therefore Linux is still secure even without any changes. Nobody knows the future. BTW being Windows 98 SE an abandoned system not supported any more, non exigent old home computer owners may try a bit in the line of my proposed alternative by doing an elementary customization: clone the OS on two or three drives more by copying on them the whole C:\Windows folder (copy-paste). Edit all .dat and .ini files to substitute C:\Windows into D:\Windows or E:\Windows or any other after eliminating hidden and read only attributes(it may be done all simultaneously using i.e notepad++ ). Create 2 boot floppys by simply copying the 5 essential C:\ root files, and edit the same way the 3 variable ones (autoexec, config and msdos). In the future only the drive in use is at reach of hackers or viruses, worms etc, and the other two units will remain always hidden and untouched, and allow them at any moment a reversed repair. Cloning is not possible when running any NT based OS, I'm afraid.

lol!

Why are people still using IE6? If you want to use IE, then PLEASE PLEASE upgrade to IE7. It is a major leap forward in usability and security. MS needs to make this a critical update and include it with SP3.

IE7 has been around long enough that any incompatibilities should have been ironed out. If not, then force your vendor to fix it, or look elsewhere.

BTW, my IE7 on XPSP2 NEVER crashes. I mean N-E-V-E-R.

(I also use FF/minefield.)

I'm sorry but as a webdeveloper I refuse to make every site I have IE7 compatible. Only if there is a specific request for paid hours.

sounds to me like the MS updates are the problem....NOT the solution

Not all incompatibilities have been ironed out. Our state education department website is one offender. :P

The only thing you are going to accomplish with that is driving away all of the IE7 users.

Some people have not upgraded to XP yet, and cannot use IE7. Win ME and before cannot use IE7. FF however is and excellent alternative in these machines.

That's genius...limit viewability to select users only, great business practice. Can you do my site for me?

I'm a computer repairman and IE7 on XP Sp2 crashes all the time. Granted it's usually when people are running outdated browser toolbars or internet security products. So while people who know enough to keep their software up to date are undoubtedly getting along better issues due pop up. When any program is new there are bound to be problems. I look forward to using Internet Explorer 7 when 8 is released by then it will be reasonably stable, websites will have fewer incompatibilities, security programs and toolbars will also crash less frequently.

i like that their excuse for releasing a non standards compliant version of IE7 was they didnt want to break web pages, but doing so broke web pages in a whole slew of new ways in addition to the IE6 breakage and the standards compliance breakage.

oh microsoft, you're so funny.

WinME is still a supported system? ug.

Quite honestly, the quicker everyone stops supporting those antiquated OS the better.

Nice title

Firefox or Opera

or safari

As pointed out previously, some remote applications expressly work only with IE 6...
One of the reasons there hasn't been a migration to IE 7 or Vista yet (IMHO) is the need for compatibility with the large installed base of business applications.

Another reason not to have applications depend on a browser: browsers change/get upgraded.

Browsers should be for browsing first, web applications a distant second.

Just use Firefox.

Actually, if anyone bothers to read the KB articles about the hotfix, it says that it seems to be affecting users with "customized" IE installs (typically branded installs).

classy

MS likes to mimic Apple so much, why don't they do that in this case. Stop support for IE6 and force your customers to upgrade to the nwer version.

Yea that would work, the majority of UK schools do online tests, And the majority of those tests do not run on IE7, and even vista.

The school needs to write W3 compliance code. Yes, the problem start with IE.

I went back to IE6 about 2 months ago, and a few weeks ago it was crashing allot. So it happened for me before this latest patch update. So i said wtf. I upgraded back to IE7. I rarely use it anyway. But i feel for people who have to deal with bs like this.

This is what they invented the acronym R.O.T.F.L.M.A.O.P.I.M.P. for...

Ah ok, I'm not going mad. IE actually is crashing more than usual.

quick fix is stop using it then you wont notice.

I don't, usually.
However, I have a work laptop that I'm (for some unknown reason) not allowed to install anything on.

Thus being forced to use IE on that machine.

sounds like a sweetheart job you got there.

Probably because a good percentage would end up with chat programs, limewire, torrents, spyware and whatever else that asked to be installed on it.

Holy crap you mean IE will CRASH?! Stop the presses/bits!

I run Windows Vista Home Basic, and Internet Explorer 7 for the last 7 months extensively, My opinion is
. IE do not open websites whose certificate is expired( I dont know why)
. I cannot install my SAP passport for service.sap.com
. Very few crashes compared to many other browsers including mozilla firefox 2.1
. Mostly every bank and financial websites have gone accepting request from Internet Explorer 7.
. I had not even a single disturbing pop up, spyware, pop-up error message from the vista.

Kasee
http://pl.kasee.googlepages.com

there's a ff 2.1?