you all know about microsoft right??

“you know they are giving away free virus programs starting tomorrow.
yeah, for a year or so and then they start charging, still, I take it while it's free.

I have 3 computers and the virus program on one of them just now expired.

just thought I'll you know in case you don't know...”

“yep, just like the middle school drug dealers - the first one is always free.”

“roam, that's exactally what I thought when i heard it. they are not stupid. anyway i still take it while it's free.”

“well hell yeah! why not!”

“glad you posted gem, I was just about to pay to renew mine”

“I'm not sure if I'd trust Microsoft with something like virus protection, but hey, if it's free, it's free. Still beats not being protected at all. (Are we still talking computers here?)

Anywhoo, maybe this will prompt some of the more reputable vendors (like Symantec or McAfee) to provide affordable and reliable solutions for regular folks like us.”

“I'm very confused by that statement... who has more of a vested interest in you being satisfied with their product than MS??? Why would they NOT want to provide you with the best possible product?”

“hmm...I would like to know too...
I did hear this on The Today Show and I do know that MS said they would update the virus program every month.

Well, everyone knows that once a month updates for a virus program will NOT cut it so I hope this was just an error on part of The Today Show.
last edited: 1/10/05 9:11:24 PM”

“does Bill Gates really do anything for nothing?”

“he's a smart man, and I am sure the became as rich as he is for a reason.

like roam said...
first it's free then..
do it like the drug dealers on the school yard.

I'll use the freebies for the kids computers.

I'll keep norton on this one because the security suite is actually pretty good and I really like norton spam program better then all the others I have tried before.”

“I get Symantec AntiVirus with automatic updates free from work.
The company has a site license that includes all home computers of anyone that works for them.
Makes sense, because a lot of work computers are infected from people bringing stuff in from home.”

“I've got the same Symantec AntiVirus, which tries to automatically pull updates every night. Usually, Symantec issues them 2-3 times per week, so I get them the same day.”

“..and the "free" version has been messing up my computer.”

“Microsoft is using the same old tactics. Steal the customer base with cheap or free software (Internet Explorer for instance), then modify Windows so the competitor's software won't work properly, after the competition folds their tent (obligatory backpacking reference) jack the price up.
I make my living working on Windows computers, I hate Microsoft. Their hardware is worse than their software.”

“Microsoft recently bought the rights to Giant software (rated extremely high by consumer reviews).

Giant was a spy-bot ad killer -- updated definitions every night (or whenever you set it up for), and outperformed all the others.


"Microsoft is using the same old tactics. Steal the customer base with cheap or free software (Internet Explorer for instance), then modify Windows so the competitor's software won't work properly, after the competition folds their tent (obligatory backpacking reference) jack the price up.
I make my living working on Windows computers, I hate Microsoft. Their hardware is worse than their software."

Tell it. Don't get me wrong, I lyk Microsoft products in general. To assume "why NOT trust Microsoft is very naive indeed." Last night late -- they hijacked my firefox browser.”

“My Background: Beginner backpacker, long-time computer/network security specialist.

The stuff Microsoft put out is only anti-spyware. It does not protect you from viruses, trojans, etc...

In other words, don't ditch your Norton/Symantec yet...
last edited: 1/11/05 10:12:32 AM”

“exactly.

http://community.webshots.com/photo/188357802/249174700YtICii”

“they had a link to FREE VIRUS software on their main page yesterday (and another link to the anti-spy software). Even THE TODAY SHOW talked about it. I visited their site today and now the link is gone.

is this it??

http://store.ca.com/dr/v2/ec_main.entry25?page=PYPCtrialPage&client=ComputerAssociates&sid=35715&CID=179825
this must be it. I didn't click on it yet, so I don't know.
last edited: 1/11/05 10:26:24 AM”

“I heard the funniest thing the other day. "When Microsoft makes a product that doesn't suck is the day they start selling vacuum cleaners.”.”

“The way hackers focus on MS products, I'd rather they not get into the anti-virus biz and put everyone else out of business.

I've never paid for Norton. I look for sales and rebate deals and buy the newest version every year along with my tax software so it's always free or better - one year they actually paid me $10 to use their product.”

“Gemini: well they may have bought CA also.. but this company (Giant Software) was awesome.. I'm sure Gates was slurping when we read into their technology.”

“linux......”

“Lumberjack as soon as you find me photoshop for LINUX I may consider LINUX.

Well, and it's not just photohop, there would be a lot of software I would have to purchase new. Could get very expensive.
last edited: 1/11/05 3:18:45 PM”

“Is WNT VMS, but one better?”

“I posted this already, but with Bill Gate's big bucks, he went to a fast food hamburger joint for their thin dry burgers, and had no money to pay and had to send someone later to pay for his meal.

If I had his bucks, I would not be eating dry meat disks. Can't he afford a regular juicy burger from a restaurant? Once a year, if I do have a hamburger, for the extra $4. I go to a restaurant and get fries with it. It's more economical too really.”

“This email this morning, from our IS department:

Microsoft has launched new Anti-Spyware software from their website. This software is in it's testing stages, and it's been known to cause some major issues with Windows 2000 computers.

Please do not download and install this software as we haven't tested this on any machine. Perhaps a more stable version will be released soon. Thanks.”

“I don't trust MS. Is it just me?”

“I got more report for you. Beware if you have your automatic updates enabled -- especially if it downloads and installs without asking you first.

I got one report from a user in jackson MS that says one of his 'automatic updates' included the new antispyware crap they bought from Giant software, and managed to bugger up!

Can you imagine? Nerds.”

“I have no issue with microsoft, and tend to like their stuff. But then again I understand the importance of being just behind the curve with technology.

I let everyone else take the bug and stability hits. When it passes that test then I'll consider using it.

Linux is a nice web server though.”

“so let's say you where stupid enough to download the last Windows update with the new spy software... lets say...someone did that...

how can this idiot remove it?
it's not under Firewall, nor is under Windows Security.

I keep getting disconntected from the web. crap!! but hey...if you don't take any risks well you will miss the good things or better things in life....so...i'll hmmm that other person...takes risks.

I don't wanna remove the complete windows hotfix. don't like removing part of windows, i can't be without computer this week or next week. LOL

awww...tornado warning!!!!!!!!!!
last edited: 1/13/05 5:25:43 PM”

“hehe... :).... Gem dear.. why is it -- that EVERY little computer bug and glitch -- YOU seem to get??... do you just have a glitch magnet or something??”

“True Gemini You do have to give up some of that nice software and a few accessories to use linux But then I dont have to put up with all the virus BS and pay for all of M$ bugs that allow your cumputer to be infected... Oh and for the record M$ software is very cheap, you only pay less the .01 per bug in it :P”

“towndawg, prolly because I get hundreds of freaking emails a day and tons of viruses,...but mostly prolly because I like screwing things up and fixn' it. lol

my own damn fault, I know... and I am not crying. it works now anyway, not sure why it did that. I think I had to completely turn off the 'puter. A reboot didn't work. I don't even think it asked me to reboot, can't remember for sure though.

LZ...hmmm... photoshop pays my bills dear! I can't give it up.”

“Gem, I think you might have me confused with Lumberjack.”

“Gem: hehe.. do I need to put you on a weekly computer support contract?”

“lumberzac...ohhh!!!!! i didn't see that! too much lumber around here dammit.

naa, td, I am actually pretty good working with computers, I just don't feel like it. LOL”

“I'm having no problems with the latest update.

Assuming that you have a restore point set, just do a system restore to before you installed the update.



No charge.”

“lol.

good thing, cos driving to nc on a weekly basis to do repair visits would suck.”

“damn...the restore point. i completely forgot about it. Yeah... but it's working now. I think it was a rebooting issue. or maybe an cable problem. who knows.”

“Gemini if you depend on a M$ program to pay the bills then dont connect it to the web... ever!... a second linux box to surf with might be in order... just a thought?”