Lost in the shuffle of this month’s Patch Tuesday barrage is the fact that a critical vulnerability in the ever-present Windows Media Player (WMP) was not fixed “because of a last minute quality issue.”

Microsoft originally listed the WMP update in the advance notice for August but, when the patches dropped on Tuesday, it had slipped because of patch-quality concerns.

The explanation from Redmond:

* Microsoft has heard from customers that the quality of updates is very important and, as part of the process at the Microsoft Security Response Center (MSRC), Microsoft tests these updates continuously until they are ready for distribution to customers through our regularly scheduled security bulletin release.

This effectively means that millions of Windows users — WMP ships with every version of the desktop operating system — are exposed to a critical, code execution vulnerability that will not be fixed for at least another month.

Oh oh seems as if maybe Linux is a tad faster at fixing bugs, but that is just my humble opinion, Baldy

July 7, 2008 (Computerworld) Microsoft Corp. today said that it would begin pushing Windows XP Service Pack 3 to most users “shortly.”

The announcement, made by Nick MacKechnie, a senior manager for Microsoft’s New Zealand operations, was not unexpected, since the company had previously said that it would release Windows XP SP3 to Automatic Updates sometime in the “early summer.”

“We would like to remind you that Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) will be released to Automatic Updates shortly,” said MacKechnie in a post to a company blog Monday.

Individuals or companies that want to block the automatic deployment of Windows XP SP3 can download and use the Windows Service Pack Blocker Tool Kit, which provides the means for stopping the service pack from reaching client PCs through April 2009.

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June 30 marks Gates’ last official day of work at Microsoft. While the software giant’s founder will continue on as chairman, he will no longer be a full-time employee. ZDNet’s editor in chief, Larry Dignan, rates Gates’ many conference keynotes and product launches, separating the successful from those that missed the mark.

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I only do this for someone that has to work on a lot of Vista Systems poor gal. So here it is for her and any one else that might want to attempt to make Vista a usable OS.

Part 1: In nearly two decades of working with and writing about Windows, one lesson I’ve learned above all others is that the best ways to enhance performance and productivity are usually fairly simple. They don’t require registry edits or custom code; instead, they involve learning how the basic building blocks of Windows work, and then rearranging those components to cut steps out of the tasks you perform most often.

Vista changed some of those building blocks, and many people are struggling because they’re trying to use the new tools with the old techniques.

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If you can remember back a few weeks, Steve Ballmer went on record saying that Microsoft would consider extending the life of Windows XP if enough people asked for it. After all, many people don’t want to upgrade to Windows Vista because they are perfectly content with XP. The problem was there was no way to ask for it. Sure, you could sign one of the many online petitions, but Microsoft considers those “non-official complaints” and the rest of us simply consider them silly.

Well, word has been passed down to the tech support teams (and then on to Neowin) that they are to begin logging any calls that come in for the sole purpose of requesting an extension to the retail life of Windows XP. The calls will be logged and, if enough complaints are filed, Microsoft will consider giving XP some more time (no pinky promises, though).

If you wish to file an official petition yourself, you can simply call the Windows XP Home Edition support numbers for your country and let the operator know that you wish to file an official complaint.

► United States: (866) 234-6020
► United Kingdom: 0870 60 10 100
► Canada: (800) 936-8479

Microsoft has begun privately beta testing a new tool, known as “Windows Advisor,” which is aimed at helping consumers better pinpoint why their Windows machines might not be up to snuff.

Microsoft officials have been saying that Windows — and especially the much-maligned Windows Vista — isn’t to blame for all of users’ PC problems. Faulty drivers and badly written apps are often behind users’ unhappiness with their new PCs, the Softies have said. Microsoft is making sure that users will be able to place blame where it belongs with Windows Advisor.

Yeah like Microsoft has never had a bad Operating System, you know it is not their fault it is the cruddy hardware you are using silly.

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A recent statement from anti-malware and threat-detection software manufacturer PC Tools claims that Windows 2000 is a more secure operating system than Windows Vista. The company’s claims, as covered by Infoworld, have attracted a good deal of coverage—no one wants to miss out on a good Microsoft bashing—but an examination of the company’s methodology raises serious concerns about the validity of the conclusions.

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Microsoft is aggressively pushing a new low-cost version of its operating system intended for use with “ultra low cost PCs,” competing with Linux on machines like the Eee and the One Laptop Per Child XO. However, Microsoft isn’t willing to sell the low-cost license to any ULPC — rather, the company has set out onerous conditions governing the maximum spec of these machines: 10.2″ screens and no more than 80GB of storage, and no touch screens allowed.

More fun and games and control issues from Billyware, Baldy

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So, one day you start up your computer and attempt to view or download a .pdf or an image or a link, and you’re greeted by the following error: “ERROR: Filepicker was unexpectedly closed by windows” but that’s only if you’re using firefox, if you’re using IE7 all you get is a big flash and Internet Explorer is gone. No ifs ands or buts.

Nothing seems to fix the problem. You’re at your wits end and if you had a copy of XP you’d be reinstalling or worse yet, going out to buy a new computer!

Hold up!

There is an easy fix.
What’s happened is, Windows has (for reasons unknown) moved your Desktop folder and settings to a new location. Use the search from the Start Menu to discover where it’s hiding. Right click on it and move it to it’s proper home in- C:Documents and settings/User/Desktop Use the advanced search settings to view hidden files/folders and also find the desktop config file, move it to the same location.

You should be good to go after that.

One more example of Microsoft trying to pull the wool over consumer’s eyes.

Deceptive, yea that’s an understatement!

11/28/2007
Microsoft’s ‘Vista Capable’ marketing slogan deceptive, lawsuit claims
Lawyers say company misled consumers with software’s pre-release campaign

A Microsoft Corp. product manager couldn’t correctly explain the “Vista Capable” marketing slogan, according to recent filings in a lawsuit that claims the company misled consumers with a pre-release Vista campaign last year.

IT Business

25/02/08
A US judge has given the go-ahead for consumers to file a class action lawsuit against Microsoft for providing misleading information about Windows XP computers being able to run Vista.

Channel Register

03/07/08
Microsoft has petitioned a federal appeals court in an attempt to overturn the judge’s Feb. 22 decision granting the lawsuit class-action status.

Seattle PI

04/21/08
Microsoft Corp.’s attempt to reverse a lower court’s ruling in the ongoing “Vista Capable” lawsuit was denied by an appeals court on Monday. The decision means the case can resume.

It also means that new insider e-mails subpoenaed from Microsoft and nearly 30 other companies could be made public.

Computer World

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