Re: [Air-l] [cc]Microsoft's really hidden files
In a message dated 8/10/2001 9:37:18 AM Eastern Daylight Time, jhuns@vt.edu writes:
The English article on which they base their story/inquiry is here:
Tough as it is to approach such a clearly named website with an open mind, I took a look at the document and found enough questionable information to inspire me to write this little memo. The author makes a big deal about *not* being able to find various "well-hidden" folders and files using Windows Explorer (he doesn't specify the Windows product or build that he's using). But on the contrary, I am able to see all the worrisome "hidden" temporary folders and files using Windows Explorer in both Win98 and WinME. So I don't perceive the need to boot to DOS as the author suggests; when I followed his instructions, I found nothing on my machine that I didn't already know about, and unless I've made a terrible mistake, I fail to see just what the fuss is all about. The author gives us a hint by alluding to possible embarrassment if one's sly visits to pornographic sites were to be discovered, and to the possibility of personal information being retrieved from one's machine over a network. There are ways around those problems which do not involve rants directed at the authors/vendors of particular operating systems and other software tools. The existence of temporary Internet files, history logs, and cookies are surely old news by now, and Microsoft Internet Explorer is not the only browser that makes good use of such features. I don't use Outlook Express, so can't comment on the author's remarks in that area. But a word to the wise here: Be certain about your intentions and the effects of your contemplated action *before* you edit your Windows registry. Back up the registry before you edit it, because an editorial mistake there can cause the most exquisite of migraines ;>). Cheers, Bob Briggs Westport, MA
At 11:48 AM 8/10/01 -0400, you wrote:
In a message dated 8/10/2001 9:37:18 AM Eastern Daylight Time, jhuns@vt.edu writes:
The English article on which they base their story/inquiry is here:
Tough as it is to approach such a clearly named website with an open mind, I took a look at the document and found enough questionable information to inspire me to write this little memo. yes, well there is a trend in resistance/anti-corporate sites that uses appends this word or the word sucks to one side or another of the company name. The reasons are obvious, in part I theorize that it helps to unify the people who have the strongest opinions about such a thing.
There are ways around those problems which do not involve rants directed at the authors/vendors of particular operating systems and other software tools.
the question for me was why is this necessary. my e-mail and browsers work fine without such things, so why do they do it. this is not the first time that microsoft has done something that has privacy implications. they used to include all kinds of extraneous information in word and excel files, though i haven't looked in them recently. having just went through my semi-annual nt(thankfully i only have one microsoft system)review, maintenance, and upgrade, i am less than enthused with microsoft products and strategies, so i reposted this to the list for perusal. I think any rant is actually quite useful and quite interesting, this included, though i don't think it really qualifies as a rant, especially when the rant points out questionable practices involved.
But a word to the wise here: Be certain about your intentions and the effects of your contemplated action *before* you edit your Windows registry. Back up the registry before you edit it, because an editorial mistake there can cause the most exquisite of migraines ;>).
always good advice when dealing with windows. backup everything often. Jeremy Hunsinger http://www.cddc.vt.edu Instructor of Political Science Center for Digital Discourse and Culture Webmaster/Manager CDDC 526 Major Williams Hall 0130 http://www.cddc.vt.edu/jeremy --my homepage Virginia Tech (yes i partially updated it) Blacksburg, VA 24061 (540)-231-7614 icq 5535471
participants (2)
-
jeremy hunsinger -
Zunt＠aol.com