Microsoft shipped a patch to some users who didn't need it, and many readers reported problems due to this. Should Microsoft have known better, or should the company use better beta testers? Read the report and let us know if your Vista system had trouble due to the update.
Researchers say that Sears is distributing "scary" spyware to people who sign up for a new Sears and Kmart marketing program. Many readers pledged not to do business with these companies again, and others said it's just another example of companies trying to hoodwink the consumer. What do you think?
McAfee has declared open-source licensing a threat to its business. Many readers champion the open-source software movement and say that McAfee is just worried about its bottom line. Join the discussion and add your two cents.
The Most Recommended stories this week cover OLPC coming to America, smart ways to use Firefox, and a new digital SLR camera. To vote for your own favorites, click one of the thumbs-up icons on an article's page.
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Microsoft Admits Vista Update Glitch
pugsley0134 says: I am running Vista Home Basic, and got this update. I have noticed my PC is acting strange. I am now having problems viewing and uploading certain files to online sites such as Yahoo Videos. Another Microsoft mistake, and it does not surprise me.
Shashikiran says: The hopeless operating system was crashing after every update since past four months but on Thursday it could not even boot. I could not do system restore; I had to reinstall it. I don't know when Vista will stop its brainless updates.
Randy94 says: I was lucky enough to use my install disk to boot Vista into one of my restore points. My trust towards Microsoft's unrestricted access to my computer has taken a nosedive and I have turned Automatic Updates off.
Art209 says: Beta testing is not getting the bugs out of software because they have the wrong people doing it. Don't use computer-savvy people to beta test; use people like my wife who don't have a clue what makes the computer work. She can discover any glitch in software code, guaranteed.
Read the posts in this thread and contribute your own opinion.
Researchers Accuses Sears of Spreading Spyware
mindnova says: Again and again we find companies with their eyes over our shoulders and picking through our wallets. The current business model is no longer quality products to earn your money but trickery and deceit as they ramrod restrictive consumer laws while business regulations are chopped out with great vigor.
Gfb3 says: Thank you so much for informing us about your research findings. Evidently Sears/Kmart has developed a great marketing strategy tool. However, it is at the unfortunate expense of their customers' security. Not good. I intend to inform everyone in my sphere of influence and encourage other mavens to do the same.
JamesEvens says: This makes you wonder if you ever want to do business with these companies again. I scanned all three blog entries, which was enough to see that the score is 2 to 1 against SHC. Ten pages deep into a disclosure...come on! That is not clear. Most people including myself will only scan license agreements for key terms. And a document over two or three pages is ridiculous. I probably would abandon installation after that point.
Snorg says: It's simple. If a Web site wants to install software, don't do it.
Read the posts in this thread and contribute your own opinion.
McAfee Says Open Source Is Business Threat
higabyte says: This is ridiculous. I'd rather buy software from someone [rather than] having them release it under GPL and sue everyone.
Rgreen4 says: I'm not sure whether McAfee is worried about open source being a risk to the company using it or to McAfee's bottom line. Suffering the effects of McAfee on a machine at work and having suffered previously through the use of Symantec, I think the best approach is to ditch the big boys, and go with commercial versions of Avast or AVG. They don't slow the machines down as much if at all.
AuroraManson says: Seriously if the people who made the so-called professional products would make an outstanding product like they are supposed to, they wouldn't have a problem. If they made it great and easy to use especially for normal people, more people would invest in them. It's all about greed. Open source is the wave of the future; its time to get input from everyone. Shape up or ship out McAfee--and Norton too.
Read the posts in this thread and contribute your own opinion.
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