ReactOS: ReactOS 0.3.3. Released

I don’t know how many of you are following this open-source project which is designed to implement a Win32 system in fully open-source software, and chances are if you’re using a Win32 work environment – well, it probably means you’re using Windows.

But ReactOS is a plucky project – we interviewed one of the network developers for the OS a while back – and it’s nice to see it develop even if its use is limited.

WindowsSecrets: Microsoft updates Windows without users’ consent

I’m just going to directly quote Scott Dunn here. No jokes.

In recent days, Windows Update (WU) started altering files on users' systems without displaying any dialog box to request permission. The only files that have been reportedly altered to date are nine small executables on XP and nine on Vista that are used by WU itself. Microsoft is patching these files silently, even if auto-updates have been disabled on a particular PC.

It's surprising that these files can be changed without the user's knowledge. The Automatic Updates dialog box in the Control Panel can be set to prevent updates from being installed automatically. However, with Microsoft's latest stealth move, updates to the WU executables seem to be installed regardless of the settings — without notifying users.

Now the changed files are a consumer-only release, so there should be no worries about enterprise systems in most cases. Still, it is a bit disconcerting.

RoughType: Adblock Plus: What would Jesus Do?

Nick Carr at RoughType has come to rethink his conclusions about Ad-block after our article on the subject – he quotes us at length.

The utilitarian objection strikes me as completely valid. But it's not the whole story. There are also reasons, both ethical and utilitarian, for using ad blockers. Brian Boyko makes the case, for instance, that within companies blocking ads serves the useful function of conserving bandwidth, a valuable resource, and enhancing network security. Far from seeing Adblock as "pure evil," he sees it as "an absolute blessing":

In fact, he’s come so far in favor of Ad-Block Plus that he goes ahead and says “I'm pretty sure that Jesus would use Adblock Plus.”

Jesus was unavailable for comment.