Ok, some updates. Here is a response I received, but didn't get forwarded to the list...

Russ, I'd agree accept it's a bit apples and oranges on this comparision of SP2 to past service packs. XP SP2 is a monuemental (sound like a MS PR person eh) service pack of unprecedented scope and impact that makes the others look like simple hotfixes in comparision. Your comments about XP SP1 and W2K SP4, in my opinion (you know what they say about opinions), and the disasters they caused for some folks, would only reinfornce Chris' point about how reckless it is to auto-force XP SP2 out via Auto Updates. I have to concur with Chris on most all his points, this is big problems awaiting unlike anything we've ever seen. XP SP2 is for all practical purposes, a new operating system, not just a bunch of hotfixes rolled up into the typical service pack.

Felix seems to forget about the small business world and the huge number of businesses out there that probably have no clue what SUS is. Either way I thought this was such a well tested cure for all our internet security issues involving windows XP, home, business or whatnot? Don't get me wrong, well managed networks of XP PC's are likely to not have AU on (SUS or not) as any network admin worth a dime is going to know just how bad an idea it is to just let patches from Redmond be applied without any testing/controls in place.

In this day and age where home/poorly managed PC's are the root of most of the ills plaquing the internet security wise, I can feel your frustration...BUT....

This "the hell with it, secure it at all costs, if it breaks something then too bad" attitude you've taken on lately Russ, is almost as scary as Redmonds actions and statements of late, IMHO. Go back and check how many of the last few dozen patches released via security bulletins have had to have "patches for the patches" and the thought of being the first poor bastard to apply XP SP2 before it's been out for a few months, has to make the hair on the back of your neck stand up.

If Auto Updates and forced patching of the home users is such a cure all, then why do we have this problem to begin with if it's the cure? The typical home user that you are saying will be "reached" by this auto update would had to have Auto Update on to begin with? If it's on to begin with then why do we have so many home users PC's being the source of so many problems, why so many worms/viruses spreading so well? Would seem to me that the past history of Auto Update has proven itself to be a failure????
History turns the validity of Auto Updates being the cure of the internet ails into a chunk of swiss cheese.

My contacts in Microsoft have told me this service pack should of been delayed another 3-4 months as it's full of bugs and they secretly joke about how they'd hate to be in MS Product Support Services over the next few months as this thing didn't meet internal standards for Release Candidate more less RTM code. It was pushed out far too soon due to internal politics and pressures that have been growing since June. They know it's going to be a mess, and to shove this cluster-f$## out the door on auto updates ruins what little credibility Redmond has with me and others. What are they going to do when XP SP2 systems are still getting hammered with security issues after applying it.

I'm sorry, but like many others....I'm going to set back and laugh my ass off at the upcoming XP Screw-it-up-good Pack 2 mess that is inevitable the way this one is playing out.

Do I think XP SP2 is a bad thing? Nope, just poorly planned, debugged, tested, and executed as usual. I think it may help with the internet security nightmare we're dealing with, but will only be a drop in the bucket. If Redmond really cares so much, how about a similar service pack for Win2000? ME? Windows Server 2003? Okay, considering Redmond's history with the more run of the mill service packs, more less one like XP SP2....the thought of a service pack like XP SP2 for a server OS like Win Svr 2003 just scares the crap out of me?

Off to the fridge for a cold one as I set back to watch this comedy play out over the coming weeks and months. Going to be good entertainment for the poor souls stupid enough to apply this service pack from hell ;-) Let's see, I predict XP SP2a (or several silent unannounced updates pushed onto the download servers) out before thanksgiving.

Opinions vary. As I like to say "I've been called worse by better." Knock yourselves out.

Let the games (and pain for the poor bastards) begin.....

J. Thomas