The conference, called the 20:20 Programme, is a Microsoft initiative to discuss Linux and open source. A recurring theme of the conference was that the Microsoft speakers kept neglecting the cost of securing Windows when comparing the relative cost of ownership of Windows and Linux systems.
Nick McGrath, head of platform strategy at Microsoft, said that the company had to educate users in basic system security issues: downloading the latest Microsoft security updates from the Web, using a firewall and keeping their antivirus software up-to-date. However, there's a catch.
The length of time it takes to download Microsoft updates can be prohibitive, said Barley. This is particularly a problem for the 67 percent of the UK population connecting to the Net via dial-up -- a problem that has forced Microsoft to start issuing its patches on CD-ROMs.
"Getting [Microsoft Update] downloads over dial-up can be horrendous," admitted Nick Barley, director of marketing at Microsoft.
Downloads are also little help to users logging onto the Internet for the first time. Graham Cluley, senior technology consultant at Sophos, points out that an unprotected computer can be infected with the worm within 10 minutes of first connecting to the Internet.
"The goal [at Microsoft] is to create a software-driven approach, rather than patching," said Barley.
Microsoft has little choice to but provide constant patches via the Web or CD-ROM, until it can design robust security into its operating system from the get-go. For that 'software-driven' approach, Microsoft says users will have to wait until the next version of the operating system, Longhorn.
Talkback
Too late. Already loving BSD, Linux and OS X.
Windows blows.
Remember when MS used to distribute its latest IE browser on a CD enclosed with your favorite computer magazine?
Why doesn't MS do this with security updates, service packs and patches?
Great, CDROMs the vast majority of those people wont know about, never mind actually bother with.
Perhaps MS should also reconsider their refusal to allow magazine's to include windows updates on their cover CDs. Even SP1 and, insanely, DirectX unless it happens to be included in a game demo distribution.
Hey, maybe they could even make this CD avilable for the mags to include on their cover or add to the DVD issue - saves MS money on postage and bandwidth, while more people get up to date and there's less zombie PCs spamming and attacking everyone - including MS. Maybe there's even a use for the infernal AOL CD.
quote":Why doesn't MS do this with security updates, service packs and patches? "
their answer: costs to deliver and if we keep it online we can circulate patches faster.
my counter offer: a$$clowns. by keeping it online you can keep tabs on us....