Don't underestimate non-technical old folks -- maybe they don't care about virtualization or EULAS, but they do care about internet issues such as the right to the privacy and ownership of their own data, which Microsoft, in a EULA subject to their revisions, can overturn any time it likes.

(indeed, I'd argue that they tend to care far more about the privacy of their personal correspondence than the MySpace generation).

And if your parents or mine should fall into the category of computer users who only need email they sure don't need a Vista upgrade to do that!

I suggest that if you don't already have an early version of Windows XP lying around that was licensed under a far less restrictive EULA lying around, log onto eBay now and snag a legitimate copy before they're all gone.

Then do yourself and your parents a favor and hack at it till all the embedded Microsoft Malware (Internet Explorer, Outlook Express, Messenger, Windows Error Reporting, Live update) are gone at which point you won't need no stinking patches or packs.

Nor do you need any great technical knowledge to accomplish this. Thanks to the free open source operating system customization tool nLite, the average computer user can create an eviscerated Windows XP setup disk in no time.

Granted, avoiding the Out of Box Experience takes a little upfront effort, but over the long run, you'll not only save cash time and grief by avoiding the viruses, updates and frequent reformats the so-called OOBE necessitates, but self-respect.

I mean, come on -- are you really going to agree to digital restrictions and privacy violations from Microsoft that are so egregious they make the Department of Homeland Security look like the ACLU?


[ reply ]

Link to this comment: http://www.securityfocus.com/comments/columns/420/34042#34042