What makes SP2 such a special update?

It should adress security issues that MS have been critisized for since around XP came out, or should I say after all the worms/trojans/vira that came right after? It's just to easy to infect a Windows system, so they needed to do something about it. I don't know all the details but you could probably read alot about it over here: http://www.winsupersite.com

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.

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.

Plus they finally disabled the messenger service by default in this one.
Took them long enough to get round to it.
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So its all about security? No new Windows XP feature for the user? Nothing GUI wise?

Well the firewall and pop-up blocker are new XP features.
As for the GUI, that's beyond help 

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



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A turd is a turd, even if you put a nice hat over it and painted a smile on it.

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

#10 by Essencay - 4/12/2004 3:40:22 PM So I guess we still gotta use diapers (firewalls) because it's still going through potty-training

As if XP is any different in this respect than any other os...it's not.

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

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

This isn't true! Unless you mean: you cannot run Office 2003 WITH SP2 installed.......

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

Hmmm... Thats weird, I installed Office 2003 last year and was unable to run it until I d/l'ed SP2.
Thats what it told me. I am running Win XP Pro. Thats odd you didn't have to install SP2

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.

My apologies, You are correct Orion. It was SP1 I was thinking.

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....

bahh.... still no "automatic pizza delivery" button ......

#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.

Orion - that's good to know. I was tempted to d/l the public beta myself to get up to speed with it, but I've heard that it breaks some WB things at the moment (toolbar icons for example), and since I'm working on a skin for the GUIO, that's the last thing I want right now - I have enough problems designing around the foibles that everyone shares at the moment, let alone trying to 2nd guess a load of others

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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OK, out of curiosity, I installed XP SP2 RC1 on my ThinkPad T41.

1.6Ghz P4M.
512MB.
WinXP Pro Corporate with SP1 and all pre-SP2 patches (even the three from yesterday).
WindowBlinds 4.29h[rc].002
ObjectBar 1.65
ObjectDock 1.00.008
IconPackager 2.50e.086
My “Cold Steel” skin.

With respect to the products listed above, I see absolutely no difference whatsoever between this SP2 system and any other pre-SP2 systems with the same skinning products. All elements appear to be skinning properly. No bugs, no improper drawing, etc. It looks fine to me.

Do not blame me or Stardock if you install this service pack and something breaks. I have already stated that everyone should wait until the final release.

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.

I see absolutely no difference whatsoever between this SP2 system and any other pre-SP2 systems with the same skinning products

That is even better news. I wonder why a number of people have reported not all icons being skinned in IE? Maybe the RC or the latest WB build has fixed it already.

I'll still hang back till I've finished this GUIO intended skin though to be on the "safe side" - if that's not a contradiction (as SP2 is all about making XP safer! )