I think it's kind of sad that "News for Nerds" won't run an article on a major update for an operating system run on over 90% of computers out there, despite endless submissions. Nonetheless, Windows 2000 Service Pack 3 [microsoft.com] has been released, and includes new updates [microsoft.com], along with all the updates from SP1, SP2, Security Rollup, and Installer 2.0. There's also the ability to more easily choose which application will be the default for web browsing, email, and media playing, a la this [slashdot.org] Slashdot article. More importantly, however, is the change in the EULA. From BugTraq:
Be sure to read the new EULA/privacy statement for Windows update, it has an interesting portion about how Windows Update and Automatic Update (which gets installed with SP3) can, by agreeing to this license, send the following pieces of info to Microsoft, this was posted on the MS focus list by Javier Sanchez:
"With the latest version of Windows Update (essentially a mandatory download and now part of SP3) you consent to sending the following information to Microsoft:
* Operating-system version number and Product Identification number * Internet Explorer version number * Version numbers of other software * Plug and Play ID numbers of hardware devices
This is stated in the "Windows Update Privacy Statement" which you can read at You can also follow the "About Windows Update" link off the WindowsUpdate page. Don't bother trying to right-click, they've made sure to disable that."
Scary. A poll option is better than nothing, I suppose.
Forget the automatic M$ Security Bulletin Updates. I find out that I can discover the latest patches and upgrades through third-party sources like/.
Ironically, I was running HFNetChk [microsoft.com] on one machine while another machine had/. running, and I missed the option on the poll. Only from the patch status results did I discover SP3 was out.
*Operating-system version number and Product Identification number ????????
*shoots self in head*
i just downloaded and installed sp3 . oh dear GOD !! i have a feeling my identification # will be submited to MS from several hundred people... does that mean i'm going to prison now?
Dude, Windows update provides patchs for a variety of OS's and IE versions. Thus, so will the automated update service. Don't you think that updating that right files for the right OS is a good thing? How else would this stuff work if they weren't able to pass upstream OS rev, IE rev, etc? The alternative (having end users be responsible for this) is similar to what you often see on the misc@openbsd.org list - people who CVS up the wrong tree (stable vs current), get their kernels and userlands out of sync, etc.
What are you, retarded? This is SLASHDOT. The entire site is massively biased against all things Microsoft! The only way they'd post an article about SP3 being released would be to mock Microsoft in some way! Is this your first post here or something? Jesus H. Christ on a popsicle stick, pay attention man...
Gentlemen,
At the risk of translating as a n00b, I'm soliciting opinions/insights regarding Win2k SP3. yes, yes, we *all* know Microcrap SUX so please dont bother ranting and raving about it to me bc you will be preaching to the choir.
That being said, I know SP3 has a lot of very interesting items -the least of which includes giving microcrap pretty much carte blanche over what they can access and install on your system- but in view of that, has anyone actually had any negative experiences with the SP yet?? I mean actual, factual, concrete experiences, *not* speculation or fiction.
Intelligent commentary is welcomed. Trolls who flame will be summarily vaporized.
Those who claim the dead never return to life haven't ever been around
here at quitting time.
Windows 2000 Service Pack 3 (Score:5, Insightful)
Be sure to read the new EULA/privacy statement for Windows update, it has an
interesting portion about how Windows Update and Automatic Update (which
gets installed with SP3) can, by agreeing to this license, send the
following pieces of info to Microsoft, this was posted on the MS focus list
by Javier Sanchez:
"With the latest version of Windows Update (essentially a mandatory download
and now part of SP3) you consent to sending the following information to
Microsoft:
* Operating-system version number and Product Identification number
* Internet Explorer version number
* Version numbers of other software
* Plug and Play ID numbers of hardware devices
This is stated in the "Windows Update Privacy Statement" which you can read
at You can also
follow the "About Windows Update" link off the WindowsUpdate page. Don't
bother trying to right-click, they've made sure to disable that."
Scary. A poll option is better than nothing, I suppose.
Re:Windows 2000 Service Pack 3 (Score:1)
Re:Windows 2000 Service Pack 3 (Score:1)
Re:Windows 2000 Service Pack 3 (Score:2)
Re:Windows 2000 Service Pack 3 (Score:2)
So you do want to watch "Master of Disguise"???
Latest MS Upgrades - News Through Obscurity (Score:2)
Ironically, I was running HFNetChk [microsoft.com] on one machine while another machine had
Re:Windows 2000 Service Pack 3 (Score:1)
*shoots self in head*
i just downloaded and installed sp3 . oh dear GOD !! i have a feeling my identification # will be submited to MS from several hundred people... does that mean i'm going to prison now?
Re:Windows 2000 Service Pack 3 (Score:2)
this is not an evil conspiracy.
ostiguy
Re:Windows 2000 Service Pack 3 (Score:2)
What are you, retarded? This is SLASHDOT . The entire site is massively biased against all things Microsoft! The only way they'd post an article about SP3 being released would be to mock Microsoft in some way! Is this your first post here or something? Jesus H. Christ on a popsicle stick, pay attention man...
Flame off!
Re:Windows 2000 Service Pack 3 (Score:1)