Updating Windows XP
8. October 2006 – 00:36 byRecently I was visiting my parents (good boy, yes) and just wanted to check some news on the net using their pc. At first I was amused. They still have a 56k modem and while I was waiting for the site to load I fell in love with my 2mb dsl line again. 
The amusement vanished when I discovered that there were still some critical Windows XP updates not installed. Although XP’s Automatic Updates was activated some were missing. The reason is quite simple: My parents aren’t on the net regularly, sometimes not even once per week. So there were more and more updates waiting to be installed.
Why don’t they switch to broadband you may ask? Not possible. Or I am not aware of the possibilities. My parents live in a rural part of the country and dsl is not available there. So updating XP is a real pain.
So what can they or I do? I will probably download all updates from now on, burn them to cd and send the cd to my parents once per month. Is it possible to have (or better to keep) a secure Windows pc if you are on dial up? If you’re not a regular web user? Anyone still on dial up? What are your experiences?
The pc is updated now, btw.
5 Responses to “Updating Windows XP”
To be honest: Ditch Windows. Get some Ubuntu CD’s for free from their website and put it on your parents PC. It’s designed to be easy, has everything to work with (except for MP3 Support, which is pretty easy to install with Automatix or Easy Ubuntu), and is useful for a 56k line. I’m using it myself. Will post a blog entry in a few days with my experience.
By Thomas H. on Oct 8, 2006
Thx for the tip. Will have a look at Ubuntu and see if it fits their needs.
By cp_ffm on Oct 8, 2006
If you have Windows XP, why do you use linux?
Basically I dont see any advantages to using linux over windows xp, Im dual booting windows and ubuntu. Ubuntu is nice and all but I dont see anything that would make me prefer it over windows.The only thing i have been using ubuntu for is web browsing playing music/movies (cant play games) which I can do better/hassle free in windows.
So what are the advantages of l using linux over xp?
By Tobias on Dec 12, 2006
Well, I (or my parents) didn’t have the time to try Linux yet. Though in terms of security it would probably make their computer life easier.
By Carsten Pötter on Dec 13, 2006
Well, I think it’s very well suited for them. You might even try SkyOS or some other Alternative OS. It’s just because you, Tobias, like to play (commerical) games or you are tryin’ to make music on your PC, so Linux falls out as an option. Game Developers are tied to MS because that’s what every one and his dog uses. But: I don’t think Carstens parents are obsessive WoW or CS Players or using the latest Adobe Photoshop to add lens flare to their fotos.
You just described yourself, what they are using a PC for, don’t you? 
So when clicking on the wrong link nothing will happen on a Linux system.
And BTW: Linux has many advanteages: No need to defrag, you could tailor a system for yourself (i think there are some tool online, that let you choose the apps you want), LaTeX, a great CD Burner that’s par with Nero(K3B).
By Thomas on Dec 13, 2006