This week-end I decided to take the plunge and install XP SP2. I love installing patches. Especially on the week-ends. That's because I'm a proud geek and have nothing else to do... Nah, just kidding. I figured if there are problems with the existing pages I'd like to find out for myself beforehand. Also, SP2 is inevitable. Here's what I think so far...
470Mb Gorilla
First off, this is more than a patch. This is a substantial update to the OS itself. I pulled down a 470M ISO image (MVPs got a little headstart), burned a CD and ran the installer. I don't know if individual users will welcome downloading 470 megs. I doubt it. It's just plain huge. Anyway, I didn't time the actual installation time, but it was no less than an hour. I watched a movie and did 5 sets of squats (not didly squats, real squats) and about that time installation was over.
Something Windows has never been good at is sharing disk access. Some arrogant apps, such as Acrobat Reader or InstallShield, which think they've been bestowed with the privilege of undivided attention, peg your harddrive and CPU and bring everything to a halt. Windows Installer is no exception, so be prepared to be out of commission for at least an hour. Make sure your boss knows why you're just sitting idle.
Another thing to watch out for is that SP2 messes up your MSN Messenger. At the end of the installation a window popped up and I thought SP2 was installing MSN Messenger 6.2 or something. Then my settings and emoticons got messed up.
Other than that, I like SP2 so far. IE has a sparkling new manager of add-ons, and you can now enable or disable your favorite spyware BHOs. It doesn't make development of add-ons any different, though, so you still have to be good at COM. The much-promised popup blocker is also at your service.
While we're on this subject I want to say the popup blocker is pretty darn good. It's a pity it doesn't block the most unethical popus found at SitePoint. It's still pretty good.
What you need to be aware of is that your network connections are now firewalled which might require some getting used to. The firewall is easy to disable should you want to.
As far as downloads go you are asked twice: once to confirm you want to download something and once to confirm you want to run it. Just like in Firefox. I can only welcome these prompts because they will make uneducated users more... educated.
Overall, the pill didn't taste that bad. Not nearly as bad as creatine during a "loading" week. :)
