And The Horse You Came In On
So, yesterday Microsoft tied up my Internet connection downloading Service Pack Three, having just recently tied up my Internet connection downloading the monthly collection of security patches.
So I shut everything down and started the process. They tell you, you can continue working, but they prioritize what they are doing, so you are better off just waiting until it’s over. You already know they will want to reboot, so there’s no point in trying to work.
The first thing they flashed up was a new End-User License Agreement [EULA], and I did a WHOA! I already have a EULA for Windows XP, what it this all about? I have no idea because major portions of the agreement are on pages on Microsoft’s Web site. These are things that they can change and they want me to agree that I am bound by whatever appears on those pages. I don’t think so.
From what information they do provide, this new EULA says that I’m agreeing to allow Microsoft to have access to everything on my computer and to ship it back to their server if they feel like it. Oh, yes, this is just to protect them from piracy. Well, if they are sending this stuff to my computer over the Internet, that is a prima facie case that they have already determined that I’m a valid end user, because I didn’t initiate these downloads.
I have already dumped the Microsoft Works that came with this box, and Outlook. I would dump even more pieces of this bloated beast if I could. I only use Microsoft software because clients do, and then only the pieces absolutely necessary to maintain compatability.
No, Microsoft, you do not have permission to steal information about me, or what is on my computer. That information is private, and some of it involves trade secrets. Sod off!
11 comments
When I saw the EULA, I mentally replaced it with one that read as follows:
… and answered accordingly.
As to their downloading content, I assume that if the No Such Agency already has everything they want from my internet connection and my telephone, it hardly matters whether Micro$oft takes my stuff or my clients’ stuff. Nothing is private anymore… nothing.
While I agree that there is no guarantee of privacy, I don’t want to endorse the practice.
One more major client to shift and Gates can kiss my patoot good bye.
You got it Bryan & Steve!
I turn off every bit of tracking in Windoze, & auto updates and other *features*.
I use AutoPatcher to get updates. It nice and easy, and explains what each update is going to do. They used to bundle the updates which was good because they actually fixed many install switch errors M$ had in their OWN installers (Talk about WTF???!) and left out incompatible updates! M$ are assh*les of the first order. AP works for all current Windoze & Office.
http://www.autopatcher.com/
IMNSHO, Gates is the biggest Pirate thieving dog criminal out there.
You would think that it might occur to a company as paranoid about piracy as Microsoft, that some of us who develop software don’t want another software developer having access to our content. Given Microsoft’s history of ripping off small developers, there really needs to be a court order preventing this behavior. They probably aren’t allowed to do it in Europe, but the US government has no interest in protecting the small business people or consumers, only corporations.
I refuse to give M$ access to my computer. They are not to be trusted. Period.
I was using Autopatcher to do my updates. But now Autopatcher requires that you have service pack 3 installed in order for it to update, and I haven’t done that yet. And I’m not in any hurry to do so. So I’m sort of in update limbo right now.
Unless I can see some definite purpose, I’m not going to go for SP3. I only went to SP3 because a software package I needed required it to even load.
I’m kinda with Steve on this. I let SP3 do it’s thing on my desktop and laptop yesterday. Since the laptop is a corporate owned one and I have to interact with the VPN and all the other security I don’t have a chance with staying up to date. As to the home machine…they already have everything they need from me including my on line banking passwords, credit card numbers and shoe size(13). My hat size is still a secret since I haven’t put it in anything electronic.
Oh, I fully realize they do it, I just object to being forced to give permission. If they want to change the contract, let’s see the money for the change, because it certainly isn’t for my benefit.
Having just recovered from a major malfunction thanks to a food-fight between BitDefender and Vista (BitDefender bit the dust and had to be surgically extracted by a local computer whiz here in Stratford, Ontario), my theory is that MSFT is like Don Corleone getting you to sign a contract: either your signature or your brains will be on the contract — it’s your choice.
They are going to need to show me that they are selling something I need, before I sign on.
Oh, Nod32 by Eset, has been clicking on for me, with a lot of speed and no problems.