From: Mike '/m' 


This doesn't surpise me.  Microsoft wants to push users to XP, even though
they may not want to make the move.

I am noticing here that my W2K installations get progressively slower with
nearly every security update.  I have to wonder how much of that is
intentional on Microsoft's part in an attempt to make me move to XP.

 /m


On Thu, 23 Sep 2004 09:08:38 -0400, "Rich Gauszka"
 wrote:

>MS promised security updates for all supported versions of Windows. MS says
>IE is part of Windows yet MS will only provide the IE security enhancements
>for XP -  
>
>http://news.com.com/Microsoft+to+secure+IE+for+XP+only/2100-1032_3-5378366.htm
l
>If you're one of about 200 million people using older versions of Windows
>and you want the latest security enhancements to Internet Explorer, get your
>credit card ready.
>
>Microsoft this week reiterated that it would keep the new version of
>Microsoft's IE Web browser available only as part of the recently released
>Windows XP operating system, Service Pack 2. The upgrade to XP from any
>previous Windows versions is $99 when ordered from Microsoft. Starting from
>scratch, the OS costs $199.
>
>Microsoft affirmed that its recent security improvements to IE would be made
>available only to XP users.
>
>"We do not have plans to deliver Windows XP SP2 enhancements for Windows
>2000 or other older versions of Windows," the company said in a statement.
>"The most secure version of Windows today is Windows XP with SP2. We
>recommend that customers upgrade to XP and SP2 as quickly as possible."
>
>IE has been a part of the operating system since its release," said the
>Microsoft representative. "IE is a feature of Windows."
>
>When asked about IE's origin as a free, standalone product, the
>representative said, "You're talking in software terms that might be
>considered ancient history."
>
>Microsoft promised "ongoing security updates" for all
supported versions of
>Windows and IE.
>
>Those ongoing security updates do not, as Microsoft points out, include the
>latest security fixes with Service Pack 2, released last month. Those
>include a new pop-up blocker and a new system of handling ActiveX controls
>and downloaded content.
>
>And it's those more substantial changes, rather than the bug fixes that come
>with routine upgrades for supported products, that security organizations
>have lauded for addressing IE's graver security concerns.
>
>Now it's unclear whether even half the Windows world will have access to the
>shored up IE.
>
>"It's particularly bothersome if a product is in mainstream support, because
>what does mainstream support mean then?" said Directions on Microsoft's
>Cherry.
>

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