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SP2: Chaos & Confusion

When was the last time Bill Gates gave you anything - for free?

He's doing it now - and word has it the Microsoft-hating underground are taking full advantage of it, threatening to catapult the world - or at least the postal services - into chaos and confusion.

As part of the rollout of Service Pack 2 for Windows XP, Microsoft are offering - through the Windows Update site - free CDs with the product, and it's not only the CD that is free: it's free shipping and handling too.

Microsoft haters are not interested in using SP2 - most of them are on Linux or even the Mac; they just see an opportunity to crush the coffers of the Vole a bit, and evidence points to them already doing it.

The 'MO' is fairly simple actually:

1. Navigate to the Windows Update site.

http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com

Windows Update is the online extension of Windows that helps you get the most out of your computer.

Windows Update uses ActiveX Controls and active scripting to display content correctly and to determine which updates apply to your computer.

[Link: Tell me about active scripting and ActiveX controls]

To view and download updates for your computer, Windows Update should be listed as a Trusted Site in Internet Explorer.

© 2003 [sic] Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.

2. Deal with their funky security certificate at the next URL.

http://microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/updates/sp2/cdorder/en_us/default.mspx

Your browser could not verify the identity of the website 'oms2.one.microsoft.com'.

The website's certificate was signed by an unknown certifying authority. You might be connecting to a website that is pretending to be 'oms2.one.microsoft.com' which could put your confidential information at risk. Would you like to continue anyway?

3. Then proceed to order the CD from the next URL.

Service Pack 2 with Advanced Security Technologies [sic]
https://oms2.one.microsoft.com/anonymous/xpsp2na467/en-us/OM/CI/CustomerInfo.asp

4. Place your order.

From a form sent in by an avid Microsoft hater:


Please print this order confirmation, and keep it for your records. Your CD should arrive in 4 - 6 weeks. In the meantime, register with Microsoft to be contacted about important security, product, event and other information.

We will send an e-mail confirmation of your order to you shortly.

Order Number:   Order Date:  Pay Method:
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX  X/XX/XXXX    No Charge

Part Number  Qty.  Product Name             Price  Item Total
XXX-XXXXX     1    Windows XP Professional  $0.00  $0.00
                   SP2 English NA Patch CD
                   Web Only Pro/Home

             SubTotal:    $0.00
Shipping and Handling:    $0.00
        Estimated Tax:    $0.00
                Total:    $0.00    (USD)

This order will be shipped via: standard. You should receive your CD within 4 - 6 weeks.

Questions? Comments? Contact Us.

©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.


What the 'resistance' (pronounced the French way: 'rez-eas-stahns') are doing is visiting the white pages, the yellow pages, whois servers - anyone who has lists of people with email addresses, terrestrial addresses, and phone numbers - and signing them up.

Some are more precise in their targeting, sending free CDs to websites notorious for poor design and for using the horrible Microsoft IIS web server software.

There is no request for any Windows licence number; there is no request at all beyond the physical mailing address, phone number, and email address.

The 'resistance' are not sending the CDs to themselves - oh no: they're plucking out names and addresses at random and deluging the Microsoft server with requests for free CDs.

They just want Bill Gates to PAY. So far they seem to be getting away with it.

Chaos and confusion could very well result. Stay tuned.

[Rixstep are not advocating you take advantage of Bill's sorry situation: right is right, and sending SP2 CDs to people without their knowledge and permission - and at Bill's expense - is just wrong - isn't it? Even if they really need the CDs? Don't be tempted. It doesn't matter how much you hate Bill Gates and want to get back, want him to feel the PAIN - it's just not right! Thank you.]

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