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Bugs fixed, security improved, DOJ appeased -- possibly
MICROSOFT'S FIRST SERVICE PACK for Windows XP is ready, the software giant says, and will be available to users on Monday September 9th.
In a statement, the company claims XP SP1 brings "enhanced security, reliability and compatibility to business and home users." It also claims it has tweaked the OS to allow computer manufacturers and end users to remove "end-user access" to Internet Explorer, Windows Media Player, Windows Messenger, Outlook Express and Microsoft's Java virtual machine. It says these are the changes required by the proposed consent decree, signed with the US Department of Justice and nine state attorneys general, to address the software giant's monopolist manoeuvrings.
Third party software makers will be able to register their products with Microsoft to replace those included as standard in the OS, but only after Microsoft has shared the service pack with these third parties and they are in turn able to tweak their offerings to run on XP SP1.
According to Microsoft's raving Jim Allchin, Windows XP is the "most secure and dependable operating system" the company has ever produced. "But our work doesn't end when we ship the product," he says. He reckons Windows XP Service Pack 1, along with services such as Windows Update, "are examples of how we help customers keep their PCs updated with the latest and greatest technology."
But some customers argue that this work might have been done before actually shipping the original product.
Anyhow, the update will be available for download from Microsoft or on CD on application. In the meantime, you can find it unofficially over here but be aware that if you've not got a legitimate copy of Windows XP, this will mash up your system.
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