It includes a popup blocker finally for IE as well. Not that I think that matters since if ppl want that feature they have already employed other solutions. Also the firewall is turned on by default. Although that's a good idea, I think there will be people updating to SP2 who won't realize what the firewall does and how to get programs to work nicely with it.

If I'm not mistaken MS's firewall is very weak, meaning that while it does the job of stopping incoming issues, it won't stop programs on a user's computer from accessing the internet without permission and therefore the need for a real firewall still

SP2 fixes this. XP will prompt you when an app tries to access the net and allow you to block it, or allow it this time, or all of the time. Still not as robust as something like Tiny Firewall, but it is a step in the right direction.

So its all about security? No new Windows XP feature for the user? Nothing GUI wise?

It's not beyond help, that's what Stardock is for



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So I guess we still gotta use diapers (firewalls) because it's still going through potty-training

Also to add, you cannot run Office 2003 w/o SP2 installed.

yeah ill say, i DO run office 2k3 WITH SP1 ONLY lol

You're thinking of SP1. Why would a product (Office 2003) that's been out over a year REQUIRE a product that hasn't even been released yet? ...It's just not possible. BTW, Office 2003 does require SP1.

If anyone is interested in the Microsoft list of what is new/changed in SP2 then this is worth a look http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/maintain/sp2chngs.mspx

Given how much is being done, I would have to agree that SP2 does seem a very worth while effort they're putting in. It remains to be seen how well they actually deliver on the intentions....

#18 by Skinner Sput - 4/14/2004 12:09:36 PM It remains to be seen how well they actually deliver on the intentions....

From what I've seen of RC1 on several systems at work, SP2 is a must have...especially for the non-enterprise user.

WHOA!!!! I did NOT say it worked with WindowBlinds. (But I will try and check).

Don't bother with the "Beta". There have been VERY significant changes between the beta and the release canidate. Also, the only reason I have it installed on work test systems is to research deployment across my enterprise and verify application compatibility. If you're an end user, wait until the final release version. I do not run it on any of my personal machines...yet

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WHOA!!!! I did NOT say it worked with WindowBlinds. (But I will try and check).Don't bother with the "Beta". There have been VERY significant changes between the beta and the release canidate. Also, the only reason I have it installed on work test systems is to research deployment across my enterprise and verify application compatibility. If you're an end user, wait until the final release version. I do not run it on any of my personal machines...yet

I didn't mean to imply that you'd said it worked with WB...I was saying that worry that it might not was what had put me off trying it.

Like you, I work in an IT support environment, and at some point once it's released we'll have to deploy this to approx 6,000 destops so I ought to be learning it's foibles in advance...at the moment though, I'll leave that to the team who'll be planning that

BTW, I've just been doing a quick hunt to see if I could find any of the hacker sites detailing exploits for SP2 already, and I'm glad to say I didn't find any....yet Given past form, I wouldn't be surprised if someone finds something that no one has thought of fairly soon after SP2 is released though - I'm sure there are lots of people itching for the kudos of being the one to crack it as soon as it's released.

Anyhow, in searching I found this:

http://blogs.msdn.com/jepling/archive/2004/01/16/59550.aspx

...a blog from one of the people working on SP2, which gives MS a more personal face. I also think that the issues this guy has worked on (mitigating against social engineering 'splots for example) are some of the most promising developments as they convince me that MS is beginning to really understand what security really needs.