Re: WindowsXPSP2
From: Mike Kolitz (mikekol_at_idontlikespam.mvps.org)
Date: 03/21/04
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Date: Sun, 21 Mar 2004 08:15:13 -0600
Hi Tony:
> Why don't you take the time to address my issues?
OK ;)
> Why is any MS SP so BIG?
So far, Microsoft has only been concerned with replacing files that need to
be patched by a Service Pack or hotfix. Because the entire file is
contained in the SP or QFE, the size of that fix increases with the number
of files contained in it.
Microsoft is currently doing a large amount of work in making Patch
Management easier for end users and corporations. Part of that work is
changing how patches are created and applied. One of the new (well, not
really... it's 6 years old) technologies used will be called BDC, or Binary
Delta Compression. My understanding of this technology is that it will only
capture the delta of patched file, so instead of including all 5 MB of a 5
MB file, future patches will only include information about the parts of the
file that changed, so the size of the patch will decrease.
Unfortunately, the groundwork isn't yet in place for this sort of patching,
so the actual application of SP2 will not use it. I believe that this
ability will be enabled on computers once SP2 has been installed.
> Why does'nt MS allow restarts?
They do and they don't - it depends on the download mechanism. Automatic
Updates uses a technology called BITS, or Background Intelligent Transfer
Service. BITS allows a file or series of files (called a 'job') to be
downloaded by a computer in the background, so it does not disturb the
user's activities - it will only use bandwidth if nothing else is requesting
it. BITS also allows for restarting downloads.
Microsoft also has another download manager used for certain downloads
(MSDN, etc) which supports resuming downloads, but it requires that the
manager be installed on the client PC.
Downloading things directly from the website don't fall into these
categories, unfortunately. On the brighter side, when the Express version
of SP2 is released, it will only be about 2 MB, as opposed to the enormous
size of the Network install.
> Why does MS provide some definitive Error Messages?
It all depends on what you mean by definitive, I guess.
What's useful to an IT person my have no meaning to a home user, and what's
useful to a home user may have no value to an IT person. It's a delicate
balance, and one that Microsoft is - admittedly - not meeting in all
instances. I know that you've said you don't want to hear about what *will*
be done, but this is something that's a constantly evolving and moving
target. One of the presentations given at the PDC this last year was about
how Microsoft is studying how to make messages of all types more
understandable for the end user, whether they are a home user, or an IT
user. My guess is that there won't be tangible progress made on this until
the release of Longhorn, some years down the road. Sorry...
-- Mike Kolitz MCSE 2000 MS-MVP - Windows Setup and Deployment Remember to check Windows Update often, and apply the patches marked as Critical! http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com Protect your PC! http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect "TonynMI" <anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message news:c3fd01c40f48$16374780$a001280a@phx.gbl... > PAVEar: If you consider someone trying out Beta software > and taking the time to test it a gift horse in the mouth, I > agree with you. I never said anyone was forcing me to > download and install SP2. > Why don't you take the time to address my issues? > Why is any MS SP so BIG? > Why does'nt MS allow restarts? > Why does MS provide some definitive Error Messages? > Now help everyone out there and get answers for these > questions. Don't defend MS or try to justify why something > is so convoluted. That is why I use Opera instead of IE of > MSN Explorer. > Thanks for your comments. > >-----Original Message----- > >Aren't you looking a gift horse in the mouth, Tony? As > Chris points out, > >this release is "meant for people to install to test > applications they have > >developed/are developing." No one is forcing you to > download and install > >SP2. > >-- > >~Robear Dyer (PA Bear) > >MS MVP-Windows (IE/OE), AH-VSOP > > > >AumHa Forums > >http://forum.mvps.org/ > > > >Protect Your PC > >http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect > > > >TonynMI wrote: > >> Chris: I won't kill the messenger which is you. However, > I > >> have been involved in IT since 1964 and worked with the > >> Government and Commercial firms developing > >> software/applications. Been in all aspects of IT from > >> development, testing, teaching, designing, analysis, > etc. I > >> have released many applications in my years. > >> > >> This is one major complaint about MS software > applications. > >> MS is not new in this area. Why doesn't MS make it easy > for > >> the users? I don't expect an answer from you, as you are > >> not MS. I have been on the Beta side for years. Enough > said > >> about my experience. > >> > >> Main point(s): > >> 1. Reduce the size of MS SPs.If MS can't, allow > restarts. > >> 2. Provide definitive error messages and recovery > >> procedures. > >> 3. Don't talk about what will be done-DO IT! > >> > >> This is not directed at you, it is directed at MS. > >> The same thing happened when MSN Explorer came out years > >> ago. All the enhancements in IE were thrown out the > window. > >> When MS was questioned, the same story, we are working > on > >> it. > >> > >> When I ran IT, I was expected to support the client. We > are > >> the client, support us!! > >> > >>> -----Original Message----- > >>> ....."To aid IT professionals in planning and testing > for the deployment > >>> of Windows XP SP2, Microsoft is making available this > preview, based on > >>> Release Candidate 1 (RC1) of the SP2. Additionally, we > have established > >>> 11 newsgroups for sharing information." > >>> > >>> -- > >>> Chris Lanier > >>> Microsoft MVP - Digital Media > >>> --- > >>> "TonynMI" <anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote > in message > >>> news:10f4101c40ee4$948f2d00$a101280a@phx.gbl... > >>>> I have checked for Window XP updates weekly and > updated as > >>>> necessary. Today I went to http://fileforum.betanews. > >>>> com/detail.php3?fid=1079735898 and found a site to > download > >>>> SP2. It took me 6 hours (Cable 1.3Mb) then I tried to > >>>> install. After 48 minutes I received an ERROR message > >>>> saying that SP2 could not install. Took me another 20 > >>>> minutes to restore. MS needed to look into: > >>>> 1. Creating smaller download packages. > >>>> 2. More definitive error messages on why a product > will not > >>>> install. > >>>> 3. Quicker restore capabilities. > >>>> My opinion right now is that MS Windows XP SP2 is not > worth > >>>> the effort. > >>>> Open for any comments. > >>>> PS: Regardless if it is Beta or not, it should be > easier. > >>> > >>> > >>> . > > > >. > >
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