Windows XP SP2

If you're living under a rock - first, you're not reading this, and second - you have no clue as to what Windows XP SP2 is.  Let me just say, plainly and simply - SP2 is to Windows Security what gasoline is to a car.  It's vital, necessary, and you're not getting very far without it.

Some folks are a bit perturbed that this type of enhancement (yes - this is a BIG enhancement involving BIG chunks of code....) is not finding it's way to Windows 2000 Professional.  Likely, it won't.  Reason being is pretty simple.  One, as just mentioned - it's a big change.  Right, right - service packs are not supposed to be BIG changes in functionality.  Well, guess what.  Microsoft changed its mind.  Service packs ARE a big change with crap loads of feature and enhancement.  And, because everyone and their little dog has been beating Microsoft up about its apparent (and quite accurate) lack of emphasis on security - you get a couple of really BIG service packs that are going to focus directly on security as the core feature.  (Right - I said Service PackSSS - you've heard rumored this SP1 for Windows Server 2003?  Yeah - that would be it....)

So, why no update for Windows 2000, as I understand it?  Well, IBM - when a program, OS, whatever, reached a stage in its life when the next version was out and it was just time to maintain the old until everyone moved by choice or by enticement (yeah - the old one no longer had support...), they would call the software "Functionally Stable".  This simply means that it works, we provide bug fixes, but there isn't much new that's going to happen with it because it works as intended, Thank you very much.

If I was anyone on Windows 2000 Pro or server, figure out what it's going to take to get to XP and Server 2003.  If you have security issues on 2000, who are you going to blame?  Writing has been on the wall for some time now.  I'm tired of the complaining about security.  Microsoft has made a big step.  It's your turn now.

What are you waiting for?