End tyranny of software updates

October 2, 2008 By Anne Krishnan

Q. Is there any way to know what is being updated when Microsoft updates come through? Being a learned - rather than born - skeptic, I'm suspicious each time an automatic update appears indicating that something is happening that will make it easier for somebody else to run my life or take more of my money or freedoms away.



Content from McClatchy-Tribune Information Services expires 90 days after original publication date. For more information about McClatchy-Tribune Information Services, please visit www.mctdirect.com .

Similar stories from PHYSorg:


Huge computer worm Conficker stirring to life

created Apr 09, 2009 | popularity 3.3 / 5 (3) | comments 8

What's The Microsoft Windows XP Service Pack 3 All About

created Dec 14, 2007 | popularity 3.7 / 5 (54) | comments 1

Download, install and drive -- the future of automotive software

created Feb 18, 2009 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

Microsoft Pushes Windows Server 2003 SP2 out the Door

created Mar 15, 2007 | popularity 2.5 / 5 (2) | comments 0

Microsoft redesigns MSN, adds Twitter, Facebook

created Nov 04, 2009 | popularity 2.3 / 5 (3) | comments 1


print this article email this article download pdf blog this article bookmark this article     Stumble it Digg this share on Facebook retweet share on Reddit add to delicious
Rate this story - 2.4 /5 (7 votes)

Rank Filter

Move the slider to adjust rank threshold, so that you can hide some of the comments.


Display comments: newest first

  • agg - Oct 02, 2008
    • Rank: 5 / 5 (1)
    dump windows. run linux. enjoy life.
  • fuchikoma - Oct 02, 2008
    • Rank: not rated yet
    I'm always a bit slow to install updates for things. These days it doesn't matter whose it is, it can break things. I guess that's always been the case, but now they're actually apt to, be it Microsoft, Sony, Apple, etc.

    Also I don't want to start an OS war because this isnt' even the right site for this story, but I've used about a dozen linux distros and any given one, even Ubuntu, gives me more grief in a week than I get in a whole named generation of Windows... and I have to support Windows for a living - believe me, it gets abused!
  • Zig158 - Oct 09, 2008
    • Rank: not rated yet
    "Ubuntu, gives me more grief in a week than I get in a whole named generation of Windows"
    I support 6 Ubuntu boxes, 4 of them are duel boot with XP. It takes me about half as much time to set up Ubuntu than windows, I also only have to "service" them every 6 months or so. I end up messing with XP much more often. Most of the problems are related to people not understanding that they have to log into the administrator account before installing something because their main account is locked down so I'm not back every week.
    Sudo aptitude install, I love you!

October 2, 2008 all stories

Comments: 3

2.4 /5 (7 votes)
  • Stumble this up

  • Digg this

  • share this

  • hide
  • Related Stories

  • Social networking meets ambient intelligence (w/ Video)
    created Nov 04, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0
  • Worms infesting computers worldwide: Microsoft
    created Nov 02, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0
  • White House opens Web site programming to public
    created Oct 25, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0
  • Review: Windows 7 strong, but don't pay to upgrade
    created Oct 14, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0
  • Microsoft patches 34 security holes, many critical
    created Oct 13, 2009 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0



  • hide
  • Relevant PhysicsForums posts

Other News

A system of space solar power system (SSPS)

Japan eyes solar station in space as new energy source

Technology / Energy

created 11 hours ago | popularity 4.6 / 5 (11) | comments 9

It may sound like a sci-fi vision, but Japan's space agency is dead serious: by 2030 it wants to collect solar power in space and zap it down to Earth, using laser beams or microwaves.


Campaigners are stepping up efforts to curb online tracking

Advertisers face resistance to on-line tracking

Technology / Internet

created 11 hours ago | popularity 5 / 5 (2) | comments 0

Campaigners are stepping up efforts to curb online tracking of Internet use by firms that deliver adverts tailored to the specific interests of consumers, as polls reveal widespread unease with the practice.


Software cos. eye key patent case in Supreme Court (AP)

Software cos. eye key patent case in Supreme Court

Technology / Business

created 12 hours ago | popularity 5 / 5 (4) | comments 1

(AP) -- With the technology industry looking on, the Supreme Court on Monday will explore what types of inventions should be eligible for a patent in a pivotal case that could undermine such legal protections ...


Framed for child porn -- by a PC virus

Framed for child porn -- by a PC virus

Technology / Internet

created 3 hours ago | popularity 5 / 5 (3) | comments 1

(AP) -- Of all the sinister things that Internet viruses do, this might be the worst: They can make you an unsuspecting collector of child pornography.


Sony offers 'Cloudy' early to people with its TVs

Technology / Business

created 4 hours ago | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

(AP) -- In a bid to sell living room electronics and spur buzz for "Cloudy with A Chance of Meatballs," Sony Corp. is offering the movie for free to U.S. buyers of its Internet-connected TVs and Blu-ray players starting ...