Windows OneCare Now in Beta
Microsoft is getting into the anti-virus game — and it’s about time! An integrated security product like this should have been built into the OS ages ago. Windows OneCare is more than just anti-virus, though — it’s a service that includes AV, firewall, PC maintenance, and data backup/restore functionality. OneCare is described as a new program "built specifically for people who don’t have the time or technical
expertise necessary to secure and manage a computer on a daily basis." (ie. Your Mom). The program will automatically update itself as needed, no user intervention required. (Thank god, because Your Mom doesn’t understand those crazy dialog boxes anyway.) You can sign up for the beta, but I don’t know if you can still get in (Let me know if you do!). My only question is this: is it going to be free? I think it should be. If you’re selling the disease, isn’t it wrong to charge for the cure?
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You don’t see any conflict of interest in *Microsoft* providing the anti-virus software?
Or we can just find a way round it
(me = Microsoft Beta tester, who never does the correct procedures)
OCL is a great product. It has great functionality, and if you don’t like the AV solution, continue using your choice of AV.
I’ve been using it for a few months now, and it’s a great all-around program. Unfortunately, Microsoft will be charging for it when it releases, which will undoubtedly keep many from using.
Charging? That’s what I was afraid of. There should at least be a base product offered for free. Value-added options could be at an additional fee, if desired.
I think it stinks that Microsoft is going to be charging for this product. Think about it, OCL is there to protect you from the exploits that take advantage of flaws in Microsoft’s own software.
I know other companies charge as well such as Symantec and McAfee, but it’s not their own software they are protecting. I just don’t see why you should pay for a product from the same company to fix a flaw in their own product.
It’s OK to charge for the disease, but not the cure? You’re kidding, right?
Man, if only R J Reynolds could bust into the anti-cancer-stick market at the same time, they’d be on to a winner. (Um, without admitting that cigarettes cause cancer of course.)
It’s now six or seven years since I had an anti-virus software on my daily work computer. Care to guess what OS I don’t run?