Will XP's Service Pack Cause Chaos?
Microsoft is even admitting that the SP2 Service Pack will send users into a panic.
Quote:
The major changes to Windows XP (news - web sites) brought by Service Pack 2 are bound to cause support headaches. Analysts, users, PC makers, and Microsoft all expect a spike in help desk calls.
SP2 is due out in the third quarter, so it could be out as soon as next month. The service pack will be downloaded automatically into many PCs through Microsoft's Windows Update service and could create problems, including breaking current applications, disrupting networking set-ups, and prompting non-technical users to make PC configuration decisions that may be beyond their grasp.
They are also saying that it is more of an upgrade instead of a service pack.
Quote:
Although Microsoft has deemed Windows XP SP2 a service pack, the update really is more comparable to a Windows upgrade. SP2 contains bug fixes and updates, but it also offers new features and makes significant changes to the Windows software in four main areas: network protection, memory protection, e-mail security, and browsing security.
Microsoft will have to treat SP2 like a new operating system release, says Rob Helm, a director of research with Directions on Microsoft, an industry research company based in Kirkland, Washington. "It is that level of change," Helm says.
And as usual Microsoft is still coming out with their famous understatements.
Quote:
Microsoft recognizes that there will be an increase in support demand. "I definitely think we will see ramped up support requests," Microsoft's Pilla says. "What we have here is a security-focused service pack release that is going to have some significant impact on people's systems."
Source