Print - Windows XP SP2 to be 'Springboard' to Longhorn

   If you're wondering why Microsoft is taking so long to release Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2), wonder no more. The company is working to back-port various Longhorn security technologies to SP2, providing a middle ground between XP's default security functionality and the security features that will be available in Longhorn.
   Code-named Springboard, the new security features include an updated version of the Internet Connection Firewall (ICF), which Microsoft will leave on by default and which adds outbound scanning capabilities and other features previously found only in the Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) Server 2000 enterprise server product. Springboard also includes a new version of Windows Update and new memory-management code for defeating common buffer-overrun attacks.
   Microsoft's SP2 schedule came under fire this past summer when the company quietly revealed that the release won't ship until the first half of 2004 (the company had told me earlier that it would release SP2 by late 2003). Microsoft released SP1 less than a year after XP's initial release, a schedule that most customers were comfortable with. But delaying SP2 until the first half of 2004 would create an 18-month gap between service packs, an interminable amount of time given the vast number of security patches and other bug fixes that Microsoft has released in the interim. Many of Microsoft's customers continue to avoid installing hot fixes and other updates, waiting instead for service packs, which collect those updates into one installable unit.
   Including Springboard in SP2, however, requires a lot more testing time. Sources close to the company tell me that beta testers should soon get their hands on an XP SP2 beta version that includes the new security technologies; earlier betas didn't include any of this code. The Springboard technologies also will be available for Windows Server 2003 customers in that OS's first service pack, Microsoft says.

Nice to have MS come out and inform their customers about SP2 but we're still waiting for the Security Rollup Package for XP. Editor's note: It's out now. --Paul

Apparantly SP2 is back on for a 2003 release date. See the story at ZDNet UK. http://news.zdnet.co.uk/internet/security/0,39020375,39117154,00.htm Editor's note: That story is incorrect, according to my sources. --Paul

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Microsoft Public Relations: stress the importance and technical 'superiority' of the NEXT VERSION as long as possible. Thankfully I've seen this behaviour for the last 10 years, so it gets a bit tiring. Editor's note: Yeah, Apple and other software companies never tout the next version. :) To be fair, there's a fine line: If you push the next version too much, sales of the current version can nosedive. --Paul

"Many of Microsoft's customers continue to avoid installing hot-fixes and other updates, and instead wait for service packs..." 'Many' is a bit strong. More aptly put, 'Most of Microsft's customers have no clue what a hotfix or a service pack is..'

I think it's a shame that microsoft doesn't release service packs on a 6 months schedule. Why should the customer wait so long? If they put new features into SP2, why not bring out SP2 now and add the Springboard functionality later with a feature pack? Not all customer welcome the decision of MS that when you install a new SP you also get additional "stuff". Why not let the users choose? Sprinboard is new technology which is based on "fresh code". So the possibility to get more new than fixed bugs is potentially high!

Now you com whid the Longhorn. I wantid it,s to long time now. My nerv,s go to the underground. I ar MAD. I.m asking, asking when, when????? HELP ME!!!!

Is it any idea to download XP SP2 beta version - when it comes - if everything i updated during meantime? Torsten

They've done this sort of thing before. NT4sp6a included some technologies which found their way into 2000. In a similar way, 2000SP2 (maybe SP3) introduced XP style application compatibiliy. To enable it, just run this: regsvr32 %systemroot%\apppatch\slayerui.dll

where can i get xp sp 2_ 2055 i need to test pls mail me url than you regards venkatesh.ch

Guys, winxp = no I had winxp and it is monstorously big and worth little in comparison, for something that large it should have a system restore THAT CANT GET DETROYED BY THE W32.PARITE VIRUS OR ANY OTHER. I had that virus and it wrecked the operating system and even avast and antivir and norton. I found that NOD32 had the solution but ugh I don't have a floppy drive, I had a cd drive but it was to much brainwork and to late when I found out. It got to the point where it only worked to play mp3s and do virus scans after it got to the point where icons wouldn't even appear. And yeah it was insane using programs without icons. I downgraded to 98, which in theory would have been much better HAD GATEWAY ASS COMPUTERS MADE WIN98 COMPATIBLE WITH THERE $2200 COMPUTER, BUT NOOOOOO, GATEWAY UGH, UGH UGH UGH UGH!!!! SO NOW, I HAVE TO BUY A NEW SOUND CARD, NEW VIDEO CARD (BECAUSE IT'S STUCK AT 640 X 480) AND I HAD TO PAY FOR WIN98. OH AND I HAD TO ABANDONED A DRIVE BECAUSE INSTALLING DRIVERS FROM THE NET APPARENTLY, OR SOME USEFUL SEEMINGLY HARMLESS PROGRAM MADE IT IMPOSSIBLE TO BOOT UP ON AND IMPOSSIBLE TO REWRITE 98 ON. I don't know which is better 98 or xp, obviously xp will have less driver problems, but holy mother guys, gigabytes of garbage that will eventually become unuseable and that can't be read on win98 formated drives as I found out to my disgust, NOOOOO. Just use win98 install only the drivers you need, back up your cd's. FORGET XP, IT'S A CONVENTIENT WAY TO HAVE NO DRIVER WORRY PROBLEMS, BUT FOR AN EXTRA $150-200 AND 5 GIGS OF SPACE USED UP? NO THANKS. Digusting = Microsoft I know a better operating system, but I'm not telling anyone what it is for free. Hell no, not after the torture mickeymouse soft put me thru. If you are smart enough to figure out my email that go ahead and ask me what this new os is that is way better then winxp or windows 98, but there will be a tiny price. Dan http://skatedeck.tk http://athiesm.tk