Internet Explorer 7 - Also, USA cedes control

[gep]

Hello all, interesting news story.

IE7 to be Pushed to Users Via Windows Update
Slashdot — dfrick writes "CNET is reporting that IE7 will be pushed to users via Windows Update. This has serious implications for e-commerce websites whose functionality might be affected by any bugs in the software. Also to have end users suddenly using a new browser right before the holiday shopping season could magnify the cost any bugs that might create a bad user experience on sites."

http://it.slashdot.org/article.pl?si...41207&from=rss

Also, and about time as well, lol.

Slashdot — greenechidna writes "The Register is reporting that the U.S. is relinquishing control of ICANN. The story states: 'In a meeting that will go down in internet history, the United States government last night conceded that it can no longer expect to maintain its position as the ultimate authority over the internet. Having been the internet's instigator and, since 1998, its voluntary taskmaster, the US government finally agreed to transition its control over not-for-profit internet overseeing organization ICANN, making the organization a more international body.


http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=0...38251&from=rss


GEP

[ecross]

Hello GEP, yes, IE7 will be pushed through Automatic Updates or Windows Updates. It will happen shortly after the final version is released for Windows XP planned for the forth quarter of this year. This is to ensure customers keep up-to-date with a more secure browser.

[Welshjim]

gep--Since MS has generally not offered beta software through Windows Update, I assume it will no longer be beta when it is "pushed".
P.S. I do not remember that MS offered Windows Defender through Windows Update--certainly not as a Critical Update, although the subsequent definitions updates have been.

[gep]

Hello Welshjim, Ecross, hope we will get a more secure browser.
I will be stopping my Auto Microsoft updates for awhile just before I.E.7 is available for download. As with previous I.E. browser downloads, will leave it to others to solve the problems when it appears. Don't do much beta testing. Give it a month or so before i install, hopefully, any errors will be ironed out, so when i download, less errors, more happier sufting, lol.

GEP

[HAN]

I had seen the IE7 decision somewhere else. Can't say I was pleased when I saw it...

It is unfortunately the same thought process as the WGA Notification that MS also considered to be a "Critical" update. And the truth is, neither are "Critical".

FWIW... I don't question at all that IE7 will improve security over IE6. But IE6 has been, and when used appropriately, still is, reasonably safe. IMO, it's not "Critical" that a browser be pushed into a user's PC...

[lgbpop]

I'm not crazy about the ICANN news. As paralyzed as the US government can be, it sometimes works best when there's little interference. I can just see China and Iran contributing to the openness and freedom on the Internet. Or France, for that matter.

[Welshjim]

gep--No need to shut off Windows Updates completely. I think that is what you meant when you said you would shut off Auto Updates. Set it, rather, to "notify" you of new Updates, but not Download and Install. That way you can pick and choose which Updates to apply.
Also, in my experience, if you use the right settings for IE Tools|Internet Options| Security and Privacy tabs, IE6 can be a pretty safe browser.

[gep]

Hello WelshJim, thanks for your advice, GEP.