Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics (
More info?)
Hi, Dave.
OK. But please use a different phrase. "Public domain" is a well-defined
term that means there is no copyright and anybody and his brother may not
only use it freely, but may amend it in any way, and even resell it for a
profit. Like a Mother Goose nursery rhyme. I'm not a lawyer, so that may
not be exactly correct, but it's close enough for us today.
But, yes, SP2 is now available from several authorized sources. So long as
you are sure you are getting the unadulterated bits, go ahead and install
it. When AU notices that your computer is already running SP2, it won't
bother to download and install it again.
RC
--
R. C. White, CPA
San Marcos, TX
rc@corridor.net
Microsoft Windows MVP
"Dave" <harr1s@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:ObPvwTWiEHA.4056@TK2MSFTNGP09.phx.gbl...
> Hi RC,
>
> Just so you understand ... what I meant by public domain is that I wanted
> to
> confirm that after Aug 25 I could run Update from my I.E. and it would
> enable me to download SP2 rather than wait for Auto Update to do its
> thing..
> I did not mean to indicate that SP2 would be in any way not under the
> control of Microsoft.... hope that clears it up.
>
> Thanks.
>
> Dave
> "R. C. White" <RCWhite@msn.com> wrote in message
> news:OafD3UUiEHA.396@TK2MSFTNGP12.phx.gbl...
>> Hi, Dave.
>>
>> > I
>> > believe it will be going public domain,
>>
>> Certainly not! It's free to licensed owners of WinXP, but that's a
>> LOOONG
>> way from public domain! Microsoft still owns and vigorously protects its
>> full rights in all of Windows.
>>
>> There are multiple distribution channels. (If you wanted to distribute
>> millions of copies of anything to many millions of individual computers
>> in
>> nearly every country of the world - quickly - how would YOU do it?) MSDN
>> subscribers are just now receiving two copies of SP2. One is under the
>> usual MSDN license restrictions: "can only be used by licensed
> subscribers
>> in a development or test environment". The second copy is clearly
> different
>> in appearance and the accompanying letter says, "you may freely share
>> this
>> disc with your friends and family to make it easier for them to upgrade
>> to
>> the important release."
>>
>> Yes, Microsoft wants you to have and install SP2 as quickly as possible.
>> They are making it available to you and to (practically) everybody in the
>> world for free as fast as they can. If you borrow an SP2 CD, make sure
>> it
>> is a copy with the official MS logo. If someone gives you a CD that they
>> burned on their own computer, or received from a friend of a friend, you
>> can't be sure that the CD itself includes all the files you need and does
>> not include malware of some kind.
>>
>> Or just keep Automatic Update turned on, keep your computer online, and
>> be
>> patient. MS is running their server farms at full speed night and day,
>> trying to get copies to everyone as soon as possible. It just takes
>> time.
>>
>> RC
>>
>> "Dave" <harr1s@hotmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:OhS4wdTiEHA.2340@TK2MSFTNGP11.phx.gbl...
>> >I have a P4 2.4Ghz PC on XP Home with Automatic Updates turned on....
>> >and
>> > have not had the update on my system as of yet. I live in Canada so
> would
>> > assume that most North American geographic areas are being updated or
> have
>> > been updated. Any suggestions on how to get the update ... thanks. I
>> > believe it will be going public domain, ( no need to only get it
>> > through
>> > Autoupdate feature ) as of Aug 25 ... is that correct ?
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