Microsoft To Beta Test Patches Externally
Posted by Tom Warren on 13 January 2005 - 15:29 · 15 comments & 2566 views
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Full name: Tom Warren
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Full name: Tom Warren
Forum name: creamhackered
Contact: via forum PM
Submissions: Normal · Headline
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(4 replies)
#1 Posted by nwBen on 13 Jan 2005 - 15:31
- This could be interesting.
I cant wait to see posts all over the net saying "Help, a beta patch effed up my PC"
me either-
(1 reply)
#2 Posted by RangerLG on 13 Jan 2005 - 15:49
- As long as it stays with official beta testers only and is not leaked to the general public, I think this is a good idea. Beta testers know and understand what these programs can do to their machines. In fact, most of them actually have machines just for Beta testing. Its when this would be leaked (and they usually are) is when problems will surface.
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#2.1 Posted by Octol on 14 Jan 2005 - 01:42
QUOTE As long as it stays with official beta testers only and is not leaked to the general public, I think this is a good idea.
Sure it's a good idea, but when have you ever seen beta software that didn't get leaked to the public—usually the same day it's released to testers?
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(3 replies)
#3 Posted by shichiroji4 on 13 Jan 2005 - 16:17
- How does that compare to open source software where every patch is avaliable for testing and modifications by everyone？ M$ is totally behind times, people have been seeking public feedback for years...
Wake up your ideas!
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#3.1 Posted by excalpius on 13 Jan 2005 - 16:40
- You need to wake up to the fact that testing/implementing a patch for all of Microsoft's operating systems in all of its trillions of potential configurations for billions of affected users (from neophytes to experts) goes way beyond testing an essentially home grown tweak to a 1970's Unix derivative shareware OS used by primarily knowledgeable programmer/expert types. There is really no basis for comparison here on anything but a very superficial level.
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#3.2 Posted by shichiroji4 on 14 Jan 2005 - 01:42
QUOTE ou need to wake up to the fact that testing/implementing a patch for all of Microsoft's operating systems in all of its trillions of potential configurations for billions of affected users (from neophytes to experts) goes way beyond testing an essentially home grown tweak to a 1970's Unix derivative shareware OS used by primarily knowledgeable programmer/expert types. There is really no basis for comparison here on anything but a very superficial level.
You are the one who needs waking up. Go install Linux before blabbering crap here. Linux = Home grown tweak of Unix!? What extreme naitivity.
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#4 Posted by Koyder on 13 Jan 2005 - 18:54
- EDIT: Nevermind.
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#5 Posted by XBOA2000 on 13 Jan 2005 - 20:47
- Who cares, just download it illegally.
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#6 Posted by Logik3x on 14 Jan 2005 - 03:01
- isn't it program not programme... programme is french... anyways maybe I'm wrong english ain't my first language...
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#7 Posted by craZySoldier on 14 Jan 2005 - 03:37
- umm... this sounds like people will effin screaw up there os instaliing this claiming microhard said it would protect thier computers
This is a big move to speeding up the patching process, which, in previous months has been heavily criticised when Security outlets go 'full disclosure'. Microsoft has created a 'Security Update Validation Program' for essential partners and customers to get early access to patches and provide valuable feedback. Although the customers will be testing the patch they will have no information on what vulnerability it's attempting to fix.
It's expected that MVPs and ISVs will soon have access to the beta patches too. All testers will need to mimick patch deployments in a lab environment.
If this new way of testing patches works then it's a step forward for Microsoft who have released patches that are long overdue, recalled or in the worst case has opened doors for exploitation.
Update: Thank you to Andrew for reminding me that back in 2003 Microsoft ran the Windows Update 4.0 beta programme. In that programme Microsoft beta tested two updates for Windows XP, Recommended Update for Windows XP (818043) - Beta and Security Update for Windows XP (815021) - Beta. The goal was to find out how well the two packages’ installation functionality was working.
Microsoft also issued beta patches for Windows 2000, Q329553: Critical Update (Windows 2000) - Beta Express Package and 811493: Security Update (Windows 2000) - Beta Express Package.
However, Microsoft has since ceased offering beta patches through their Windows Update beta programmes.
Brad Wardell is an employee of Stardocks.