February 2007 - Posts
Phil has given us a frank and open post on SP1 and what it will and will not fix for developers.
You should read it.
As per my previous rants here, here, here and here.... The patch is now released without the call in requirement. Go get them!
XP version
2003 version
Some people will still have the 100% CPU spikes, especially when Update Services "Checks in", but a new update should come for that soon enough.
Thanks to Susan for the
heads up here. I am one of those that have posted a comment on the Dell Idea Storm website.
I too cannot stand preinstalled shite on Dell Machines, especially the business ones. Have your say on the
site here.
Hal talks about lack of communication. He's right you know, I did not know about the FS Insider article either.... but on the other hand, I presume that Hal has installed a feed reader to check in automatically all the blogs without having to go out and surf the web to find out this stuff? ;)
In regard to FSX SP1, I can't wait to see how it improves things in the game. If I get the go ahead I will be sure to post my thoughts here on the blog. Also, if I do make it to this years MVP summit (which is still a 50/50) I will try to get some interview time with some of the team. If not, you will have to ask one of the other MVP's.
Thanks to Owen for the link to the article on Dave Denhart. It is an interesting read.
One last note. When I figure out how to connect my TrackClip Pro to my Sennheiser Wrap Around headset I will give you a review ;)
Yes, I said it.... UAC is the most worthless piece of code I have ever had to deal with. Now, before you security folk start pouncing on this post as saying "But it protects you" or "This is what we all asked Microsoft for", take note of what happens in the real world ;)
Michelle is sitting in front of her new machine. For the past 4 days, she has been clicking the "Yes I approve" button that UAC throws up every time she does something like approve an application etc. Next thing, an email with a nasty virus attached gets past the antivirus software because it is 1 hour out of date, and Michelle - without thinking - just clicks the "Yes I approve" button. She sees nothing.... Then, 30 seconds later, another message comes up. "A program is trying to format your hard drive"... what will Michelle do? We'll it is obvious... she will not read the message and will click "Yes, I approve". Bang.... done...
This UAC system must be ditched and rethought. Most admins that I have spoken to disable it, I know I have on my own machine. What is the point of that? Do you think that my Apple iMac does this in OSX? No... and Apple are taking advantage of this in advertising, which is a sad thing.
I hope that something is being done about it...
Rant over.
Edit:
A couple of people emailed me reminding me that the user is of course doing something "of concequence" to get these prompts. Please understand, I do get that this an effort to protect the user. My point is that the "do you want to continue?" user effect is self harming.... average users just click yes... always...
Susan has already posted this on her blog, but I think this update is worth mentioning here as well.
Download this small update for Small Business Server 2003 SP1 or Small Business Server 2003 R2 to allow the connect computer wizard work with Vista clients. Also, be sure to read this post from Susan that lists the whole update procedure for full Vista Compatibility.
By the way... Susan mentions NOD32 (2.7) client is supported. I would like to confirm that, and also highly recommend the Eset product range. I have not looked back since moving our clients to this product.
I just
read this. No better man to come out and say that DRM is dead and should be abolished.
I can only hope that the record labels agree, which I very much doubt.
1am here... I was in bed, but I heard the special "You have new mail from a ACES team member" WAV file I have setup on my PC so I had to get up ;)
Yes Hal, the Whiskey is on the way... but you did say you loved me for more than just my booze.... Next time I won't bring the leather gimp gear.
Thanks for clarifying that there will be a service pack for the people on this thread and for making me realise I must move the hidden cameras next visit.