Like I said, most people who own computers are not techies and, you're
right, they don't know how. MS should have provided ONE web site with
instructions.
Most people want to -- of all things -- *use* their computer, not maintain,
configure and troubleshoot it. What "installation instructions"? Most people
get one
instruction: enable AU.

Until Sp2 the routine of Automatic Update has been the style...and those who
'use' their computer may have faithfully followed along -or not. In order to
have many computers using systems out there the emphasis went to 'make it
simple...and attractive' so Windows evolved and many computers sold.
I would venture that a large percentage of users now do not have a
background of using in DOS with the flashing cursor waiting for a command
and then discovering the start up menus that could be made. So now its click
an icon and its not much different than the current vehicles. Vehicles are
created that its practically necessary to go to a service for an oil change
since there is barely room to get under the car without a bunch of
paraphernalia to change the oil (that's from experience) Even service
centres require a computer set up in order to analyse or diagnose the
vehicle.
Thinking ahead and systematically solving a computer or vehicle problem is
not the populace way of operating, I think the condition that people 'are
not techies and don't know how' is likely true but its an 'industry created
condition'
I agree an instruction with detailed steps would have been a plus but how is
that possible with Automatic Update?
There is a good step by step instruction at
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/spackins.htm
I followed those instructions and downloaded the big file saved to disk and
the preparation and installation took the most part of a day. The
installation and follow-up has had no problems but I thought the security
panel set up was a bit unclear. It was not totally obvious about declaring
that a firewall and antivirus (unrecognized by name but noted by Sp2) would
be managed by myself.
Rose