(PeteCresswell) wrote:
Per VanguardLH:
Guess you'll need a 3rd party firewall (not under Microsoft's control)
that blocks Microsoft's WSUS servers. You have to defend yourself
against Microsoft's "resistance is futile, you will adapt to service us"
queer attitude. Either bend over and let Microsoft service you or fight
back.

I just accepted a firmware update to my Samsung flat-screen TV -
foolishly dreaming of functional enhancements like losing that annoying
"Mute" icon when listening via headphones...

Guess what?

Right: no detectable enhancements, but they have started to spam the
screen with promotional material. Low-level at this time.... but I'll
never, ever, accept an "Upgrade" on that device again.

The logic seems the same: Consumer has purchased a device; attempt to
take control of it for marketing purposes.

Makes sense at a certain level.... albeit a rather low level.


I used to have a Samsung DVD-recorder with my TV. It had a superb
function called "dub". You could record anything and "dub" it to any DVD.

After a firmware update the DVD-recorder went AWAL. I threw the whole
box-of-tricks away, and bought a new Samsung smart DVD-recorder that
could record even onto memory-sticks.
I did just that, couldn't view the raw recorded data on any computer,
put a sample online that even our Paul couldn't convert, gave up.

DRM and underhand ways of implementing it!!!

Ed