Reading (For Dummies)

More Microsoft Bashing

There is something I still don't get about Microsoft's software distribution. When they include Windows <insert year or vague reference to Mac OS version> with a computer, they either include service packs on a second CD or not at all. This is okay, but the average computer user is an idiot and when they see that Windows is finished installing or is already installed, they don't bother with this "Service Pack" CD.

I might suggest to Microsoft the following:
1) Tell the truth. Don't call it a "Service Pack," call it a, "Bug Fix" or "Update" CD. Perhaps label the CD important and provide a date. Back when I was an NT4 support guru, most users I knew never bothered installing the Service Packs because they didn't know what they were.
2) Provide an update schedule. Make a timeline that says a new Update CD will be published every month. Updates may come more often, but certainly not less often, than this schedule. I think there are plenty enough bugs for MS to do this, and it provides administrators with a better schedule (ie, "It's that time of the month, off to patch the servers"). [as an aside we could have jokes about the administrator's significant other 'in sync' with this schedule so he could be off at work and out of the house].
3) Why not demand that the user put this CD in? A fresh install of their OS should, after it is done obtaining registration information, demand the Update CD. Whenever their release is brand-spanking new, provide a blank CD as the update CD. If the update CD inserted is older than one month, it should say it is out of date, take it anyway, and be as annoying as it can about security updates until the user finishes patching the system.
4) The CDs should be cumulative, smart enough to install all the software, reboot, and continue patching until the system is up to date.
5) The CD should have a digital signature to verify that its contents are from Microsoft.
6) Microsoft should work with hardware vendors more. Vendors should ask to put you on MS' CD update list for free. Subscribers will be mailed an update CD every month. Yes it will be expensive, Billy, but your bugs are expensive and it is time for you to start eating some of the cost.

Since Microsoft's primary method of distributing the operating system is CD, I think this is the best idea.