MS Anti-Virus? Beta Version?

personally, I think that if microsoft prices it "similarly" there will be quite a market for competitors, since even the lay person is a bit suspect of MSFT and would appreciate an unbiased third party to do the spyware scanning.

For years now, a multiple tool approach has proved to be the best solution, and I think that that will continue to be the way we do antispam, spyware or antivirus for several years. I really don't think we will have ONE acceptable product in those three areas that is better than the multiple procuct approach.

I think this is an opportunity for an integrator, who can create a front end for those applications. Check for updates, run the scan, present a summary across all three application types. It is sort of like DNA, within the family mixing is NOT a good idea.

I'm very pleased. I also like the option to "fix up" IE.

Jan

The comment on the multiple tool approach is right on target and says it all.

And one more important point to consider. MSFT's track record is that when they buy a solution (rather than develop it themselves), they rarely, if ever, advance the state-of-the-art, they're more known for dumbing down these things.

I've got to say that I'm pretty impressed, especially since I'm pretty jaded with M$ these days (then again, it wasn't developed by them). I'm glad they are starting to take seriously the issues and open holes they have in the OS. This is a great step in the right direction for them.

Actually, it's an ad from intralinks offering larry some M&A and consulting services.

And we wonder what will happen if M$ starts charging for this at the end of the beta:

http://news.com.com/Microsofts+anti-...-5520009.html?

oh, make no mistake. this is going to be a saleable product

I certainly wouldn't bet your cookies on that.

I don't mean quality, like "you could SELL that" just, that I think there intention is to make it a rev stream.

Well it's not for sale. It just showed up on my PC through MS Update. I guess the beta was a short one.

Then again, after I installed it I don't see it anywhere? Is in invisible or did MS rush it out too fast?

well, it IS a beta and most betas are naturally free. Whether or not they chose to charge for it, is up to bill. I think they should do a better job on AV, and give THAT away.

The thing that got downloaded last night was not the new (Giant) MS A/S app.

It's something else. (At least as far as I can tell .. there's no new programs on my system and I did download and install it last night). It must be a one-time run application. The kb article says there will be an update each month. I think it just removes a few key apps. It's hard to tell from the kb article. Not much info there. There was also a security update.

http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=39987

Thanks. I was pretty sure MS wouldn't send a beta over windows update.

Here's my prediction for the MS A/S application.

They will eventually bundle it in and make it part of the security center. Maybe in SP3? They won't charge extra for it. Until then, you'll be download it for free, they might even make it an optional component downloadable via windows update.

This is all a pure guess. I don't have any inside information. JMHO.

-David

I guess you have never used Front Page or SQL Server then. ^