So I went to the Microsoft Technet conference all day yesterday, and the developers conference after it.

Win XP Service Pack 2 is coming in a few months and they have put in a lot of stuff. (RC 1 is availiable for DL now, but wait for the public release unless your a developer)

So, before the rundown on some features, let me just say that I'm no Linux vs Windows person or anything, I use and administer all sorts of platforms on a regular basis so I'm impartial. (theres still sarcasm below though)

Anyway after nachi, mydoom, blaster, etc worms came out and fucked MS up, they decided to go psycho with security.
They have done major work on the firewall, it defaults to "on" now and you need to tell the firewall to poke a hole for any applications that use a port connection. (yes, even your browser will need to tell the firewall it wants the internet port open the first time), In fact there is a new security centre which controls the firewall and your existing 3rd party antivirus goes here too. So when NAV pops up with "your shit needs updating". Windows will remind you too! CONSISTENTLY! (IMG:http://www.nopistons.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif)

There are something like 849 new group policies (admins will understand this benefit) for more granularity.

There is a POP-UP BLOCKER for IE! So all you people using IE ( (IMG:http://www.nopistons.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/post-1-1047683561.gif) ) can now block pop-ups and automatic downloads.

The coolest thing IMO is the updates functionality. Now it adds a new shutdown option to the pc, so after you have downloaded updates it will install them for you and shutdown the pc when its down. Before, you would have to install the updates, then restart, then shutdown. Big time waster. MS is on the right track with this one though! (IMG:http://www.nopistons.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/bigok.gif)

There heaps of other stuff, but thats the stuff I remembered off the top of my head, I'm sure most of you use XP at least at work, so this will apply to you.

(IMG:http://www.nopistons.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/cool.gif)

nobody cares?

nope sorry... i think i would if i understood wtf you were talkin about i herd blah blah blah microsoft , then i think bill gates then i think rich bastard then i think i wish i could be that rich ...then i look in my wallet and realize how much $$$ im worth then i get pissed off at your post and go back to the forUM.

I HATE BILL GATES!

-JASON

(IMG:http://www.nopistons.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/post-1-1047683785.gif) fair enough!

Well shoot a horse and slap me silly.. HEY MA!! GIT THEM CHICKENS!! WE GONNA BAR-B-CUE!!

thaats cool man.. you should PM Phins about these things.. he LOVES Microsoft.. With a Passion

Well I haven't used IE in over a year. Opera is my browser of choice. Service pak 2 is way over due if you ask me, but security features are really not what I was hoping for.

I care, and I understood 90% of what you were saying, I agree with Fd3Boost though, security is NICE but I'd like legacy support (100%) of Win95/98 apps, I have a KICK ASS program called Lava that makes all kinds of fucked up backgrounds that is really fun to play with that I can't use in XP. I do not like the firewall, it interferes with my online gaming, so it's off, i figure Systemworks 2K3 and Spybot S & D will keep me safe......I've seen some pictures of Longhorn (Xp's replacement) and it looks nice...3d interfaces, improved task switching, faster..........I want better windows games too, Solitaire just isn't cutting it anymore :P Pinball either....!

Sean

P.s. I dun use IE either, Firefox is WAAAAAYYYYYY better...

xp has a firewall?

ive never seen it?

SP2 adds a lot of default security settings that are meant for home users. In an enterprise environment, one has to override them to make things work. Eg. the upgraded firewall. So it's mass Group Policy updating to make it a go. I heard ppl ask about using RIS to deploy but the Microserf didn't have an answer for the group.

right click on yer connection Lee, hit status, then properties, then advanced it should be a little checkbox there.....

Sean

OMG I nearly pissed my fucking pants. (IMG:http://www.nopistons.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/post-1-1047683785.gif) (IMG:http://www.nopistons.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/post-1-1047683785.gif) (IMG:http://www.nopistons.com/forums/style_emoticons/default/post-1-1047683785.gif)