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Thread ID: 74361 2006-11-20 01:28:00 Scott's Newsletter re: Vista SurferJoe46 (51) PC World Chat
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500578 2006-11-20 01:28:00 Excerpt from Scott's Newsletter:

Windows Vista is in most aspects an excellent operating system . But I've found myself increasingly disturbed by the many ways Microsoft is willing to erode the overall user experience - in most cases in the name of increasing its bottom line .

I'm talking about aspects like the new upgrade to Microsoft's anti-piracy measures known as Software Protection Platform (which includes a "reduced functionality mode"), the little-detailed digital rights management (DRM) features (if any), and the repetitious frustration of User Account Control (UAC), a security feature that takes an extreme approach to protecting you from potential threats - which probably aren't even there 99 . 9% of the time .

My assessment of UAC is that it's a good idea that is badly implemented, even after recent refinements . I think it will have the opposite effect on many Vista desktops; it may deaden users to security risks by asking them too frequently whether they're sure an activity is something they really want to allow or do . UAC will protect Microsoft's image as a purveyor of secure software (or, at least, it might do so) . But if it adds any real protection, it will do so at the expense of the user experience .

My sentiment about the Software Protection Platform anti-piracy measure is that it only serves one entity: Microsoft . For users, it has no advantage, and for some individuals and enterprises, it could be a ticking time bomb waiting to unleash frustration . "



Now . . . I personally don't like Norton or McAfee or the other crazy aunt called Symantec, as is posted here many times over by me and also accepted as truth by others who have totally had it with bloatware; but I understand the frustration by those companies when the door is slammed even though the door is flimsy and breachable .

There's gotta be a safe haven here somewhere . . . Vista will be found to NOT be the sanctuary it promises . . . none of the M$ rendering has been up to date . What makes anyone think this one will be any different?

For a really more-informed blog by someone who is respected in the Windows world, try this link: . zdnet . com/Bott/" target="_blank">blogs . zdnet . com 		SurferJoe46 (51)
500579 2006-11-20 10:28:00 Far too hard to read at night with "older" eyes .

If you're hooked on technicolour, Joe, please dump the pale shades for something more Cecil B DeMille .

(No, I didn't necessarily mean that fire engine red) 		Laura (43)
500580 2006-11-20 17:38:00 High contrast version for our slight-sighted readers:


:dogeye: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . :dogeye: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . :dogeye: . . . . . . . . . . . . . :dogeye:

Excerpt from Scott's Newsletter:


Windows Vista is in most aspects an excellent operating system . But I've found myself increasingly disturbed by the many ways Microsoft is willing to erode the overall user experience - in most cases in the name of increasing its bottom line .

I'm talking about aspects like the new upgrade to Microsoft's anti-piracy measures known as Software Protection Platform (which includes a "reduced functionality mode"), the little-detailed digital rights management (DRM) features (if any), and the repetitious frustration of User Account Control (UAC), a security feature that takes an extreme approach to protecting you from potential threats - which probably aren't even there 99 . 9% of the time .

My assessment of UAC is that it's a good idea that is badly implemented, even after recent refinements . I think it will have the opposite effect on many Vista desktops; it may deaden users to security risks by asking them too frequently whether they're sure an activity is something they really want to allow or do . UAC will protect Microsoft's image as a purveyor of secure software (or, at least, it might do so) . But if it adds any real protection, it will do so at the expense of the user experience .

My sentiment about the Software Protection Platform anti-piracy measure is that it only serves one entity: Microsoft . For users, it has no advantage, and for some individuals and enterprises, it could be a ticking time bomb waiting to unleash frustration . "



Now . . . I personally don't like Norton or McAfee or the other crazy aunt called Symantec, as is posted here many times over by me and also accepted as truth by others who have totally had it with bloatware; but I understand the frustration by those companies when the door is slammed even though the door is flimsy and breachable .

There's gotta be a safe haven here somewhere . . . Vista will be found to NOT be the sanctuary it promises . . . none of the M$ rendering has been up to date . What makes anyone think this one will be any different?

For a really more-informed blog by someone who is respected in the Windows world, try this link: . zdnet . com/Bott/" target="_blank">blogs . zdnet . com 		SurferJoe46 (51)
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