4 ms·

I'd like to commend Microsoft for issuing the fix months ago. There was some interesting discussion recently about Microsoft's potential role in creating an en

by dxhdr 9y ago

I'd like to commend Microsoft for issuing the fix months ago. There was some interesting discussion recently about Microsoft's potential role in creating an environment where users feel the need to disable automatic update. Disabling it for fear of system reboots, loss of performance, unexpected changes, or what have you. Reworking automatic update so that it feels like an essential, useful feature to the end user could be a productive next step for Microsoft. Software bugs aren't going anywhere.

r00fus 9y ago
Then why did WannaCry even pose a threat? Perhaps Microsoft needs to think about the consequences of shoving Win10 down the throats of their users via critical security patches.
- lostmsu 9y ago
  People knew the EoL date for Windows XP ten years ago. It's not MS fault they though it will be no problem to use EoLed software.
- KirinDave 9y ago
  > Then why did WannaCry even pose a threat? In the case of entities like the NHS: Because many large organizations are locked into abusive contracts with IT providers that prevent them from upgrading past 2008-level software without exorbitant fees. In the case of China, rampant pirated software that cannot be updated without revealing the fact that it was stolen. The idea that this is a repercussion of "shoving Win10 down the throats of users" is just an incorrect and sour read of the situation. Win8 also got a security patch. The idea that Microsoft is on the hook for the results of neglected machines, stolen machines, or machines under the rule of IT contractors that are trying to turn due diligence into profit is a very unfair one, by any standard. But even if you hold it, the solution would be a subscription-with-updates-model of software like windows 10. I'm not going to defend Microsoft's missteps in Win10 marketing, or the occasional (and quickly retracted) ad shoved into the lockscreen. But I am trying to be absolutely fair when I point out that no Win10 machine at default configuration is vulnerable to WannaCry and Microsoft issued patches to supported versions of Windows as fast as anyone could expect them to.
sevensor 9y ago
> There was some interesting discussion recently about Microsoft's potential role in creating an environment where users feel the need to disable automatic update. Disabling it for fear of system reboots, loss of performance, unexpected changes, or what have you. > Reworking automatic update so that it feels like an essential, useful feature to the end user could be a productive next step for Microsoft. Software bugs aren't going anywhere. I have a lot of sympathy for this point of view. I agree with it up to a point. MS certainly shouldn't have pulled abusive stunts like downloading a Windows 10 upgrade unasked-for. But there's only so much they can do. There is a long tail of very badly written programs for Windows, many of them critical to people's workflows in large organizations and small. These are bound to break with updates, and people who just want to do their jobs have been conditioned not to mess with Windows Update.

by dxhdr 9y ago

r00fus 9y ago

Then why did WannaCry even pose a threat? Perhaps Microsoft needs to think about the consequences of shoving Win10 down the throats of their users via critical security patches.

lostmsu 9y ago
People knew the EoL date for Windows XP ten years ago. It's not MS fault they though it will be no problem to use EoLed software.
KirinDave 9y ago
> Then why did WannaCry even pose a threat? In the case of entities like the NHS: Because many large organizations are locked into abusive contracts with IT providers that prevent them from upgrading past 2008-level software without exorbitant fees. In the case of China, rampant pirated software that cannot be updated without revealing the fact that it was stolen. The idea that this is a repercussion of "shoving Win10 down the throats of users" is just an incorrect and sour read of the situation. Win8 also got a security patch. The idea that Microsoft is on the hook for the results of neglected machines, stolen machines, or machines under the rule of IT contractors that are trying to turn due diligence into profit is a very unfair one, by any standard. But even if you hold it, the solution would be a subscription-with-updates-model of software like windows 10. I'm not going to defend Microsoft's missteps in Win10 marketing, or the occasional (and quickly retracted) ad shoved into the lockscreen. But I am trying to be absolutely fair when I point out that no Win10 machine at default configuration is vulnerable to WannaCry and Microsoft issued patches to supported versions of Windows as fast as anyone could expect them to.

sevensor 9y ago

> There was some interesting discussion recently about Microsoft's potential role in creating an environment where users feel the need to disable automatic update. Disabling it for fear of system reboots, loss of performance, unexpected changes, or what have you. > Reworking automatic update so that it feels like an essential, useful feature to the end user could be a productive next step for Microsoft. Software bugs aren't going anywhere. I have a lot of sympathy for this point of view. I agree with it up to a point. MS certainly shouldn't have pulled abusive stunts like downloading a Windows 10 upgrade unasked-for. But there's only so much they can do. There is a long tail of very badly written programs for Windows, many of them critical to people's workflows in large organizations and small. These are bound to break with updates, and people who just want to do their jobs have been conditioned not to mess with Windows Update.