Microsoft Knows Best - Reason 438 We Can’t Stand It

When I set up a computer, I set it up for my use.  I customize it, I make necessary changes, and say appropriate magic words in the hopes that the operating system will run and continue to perform the way I want it.

Keep in mind that I don’t use XP a whole lot and that I use XP the most of all Microsoft operating systems.  I tend to forget some of the finer points, otherwise known as Reasons I Want to Commit Grievous Bodily Injury Upon Something that Looks Like Bill Gates.

I have a term called Bill’s Will.  This is when somebody (from Redmond) has decided that they know much better what you need than you do.  As a result, the operating system that you told not to download updates for, updates itself anyway: it’s Bill’s Will.  (ok, lately it’s Ballmer’s will, but stick with me)

It is widely known that the XP firewall is a piece of crud (that’s a technical term and I’m being polite).  I turn it off as a matter of course and use a third party firewall.

So my not terribly often-used XP box has gotten a bit…. weird.  I’m trying to diagnose it.  While I’m checking services, I notice that the firewall service is on.  All of the sudden I remember what happened at work; the same thing.  Unfortunately this happened to production servers.  It was Bill’s Will.

I’m not positive that re-turning off the firewall has fixed the problem but the OS is motoring along fine at the moment.

Memo to Gates, Ballmer, et.al.: You might know more about marketing.  You might know more about OSes in general.  But you don’t know better than me what I want and how I need my system to function.  Cut it the $*&# out.

P.S.  The movie Kill Bill was aimed at Mr. Gates.