Re: IE is far the best browser
From: John Doue (notwobe_at_yahoo.com)
Date: 12/06/04
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Date: Mon, 06 Dec 2004 18:38:45 +0200
Bruce Chambers wrote:
> James wrote:
>
>>
>> This is just plain silly. It may be fine for the EXPERIENCED user to
>> examine each and every update and determine if it is appropriate but
>> the average user and the novice would have a very difficult if not
>> impossible time determining whether or not to allow the update or deny
>> it. I completely agree with Leythos that automatic updating is the way
>> to go for most users. And I must say that I have yet to find anyone
>> whose box was messed up because of applying automatic updates.
>
>
> On the contrary, your position is "silly," as well as grossly
> irresponsible. Let me explain:
>
>
> I'm confident that Microsoft does its level best, consonant with the
> regard for cost effectiveness that any successful business must keep in
> mind, to ensure that the patches distributed via Windows Update and the
> Automatic Update mechanism are safe and effective. However, there is no
> humanly possible way for Microsoft to test all these patches under every
> conceivable combination of hardware, other patches, device drivers, and
> applications that exist in the "wild." There is nearly an infinite
> number of diifferent possibilities. The sad truth of the matter, is
> that, despite Microsoft's best efforts, the installation of some of
> these patches will almost invariably results in less secure, unusable,
> or sometimes unbootable computers. People who negligently allow WinXP
> to automatically update itself will have no idea why their computer is
> suddenly malfunctioning. They have no idea that any update, much less
> which specific one(s), has bee installed. But the person who manually
> installs an update, and then sees the resulting problem has a lock on
> the whole "cause and effect" concept. Recovery is much simple when the
> cause of the problem is known. (And the user may be completely
> "technically inexperienced;" he really doesn't need to perfectly
> understand what a patch is doing, he just needs to know which one he
> installed immediately prior to the onset of his problem. This is
> child's play.)
>
> Additionally, from an individualistic (OK, I'm American, and mostly
> proud of it.) point-of-view, I find it nearly impossible to understand
> how anyone could possibly be comfortable turning over control of their
> own property and personal information to a corporate or government
> entity. Not that I'm accusing Microsoft of spying, but the potential is
> there. Should the Department of Homeland Security (a.k.a. the American
> gestapo) suddenly decide that computer users might somehow,
> inadvertantly support terrorism, pressure might be put upon software
> manufacturers to provide lists of registered users, the software they
> use, and how it's used. Rather like how they're currently trying to get
> libraries to monitor our reading habits. Paranoia aside (VBG), what
> ever happened to the principle of self-reliance?
>
> Finally, people who are too lazy to learn how to safely use their
> own computers shouldn't have computers (or at least shouldn't be allowed
> to connect to the Internet), no more than untrained and unlicensed
> drivers should be allowed to operate motor vehicles on the highways.
> They are a danger to themselves and others. Such "Obliviots" make the
> Internet all that much more dangerous for the rest of us, because they
> refuse to learn how to take the most basic of security precaustions, and
> help spread malware hither and yon.
>
>
>
Bruce, I think you did an excellent job at summarizing the situation.
-- John Doue
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