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Here in NZ, SP2 will be available on a free CD that can be ordered from Microsoft itself -- which is a good thing, since I see on the wires that connecting a completely unpatched PC to the Net will usually result in it being compromised within just a few minutes -- less time than it takes to download the necessary updates.

But I doubt it will come as much of a surprise to Aardvark readers to learn that the first security hole has already been reported in SP2.

That such a vulnerability has been identified so quickly tends to suggest that it's about time Microsoft stopped relying on its own internal security audits and checks. Maybe they'd benefit an awful lot by letting independent security experts get their hands on critical service packs and newly released software *before* it's released to the masses.

And no, I'm not simply talking about beta testing -- a system whereby wealthy companies expect developers and end-users to perform critical testing without being paid.

As with so many things, when it comes to vetting software for security holes you often get what you pay for. While beta testing will certainly pick up many of the problems, maybe Microsoft needs to bite the bullet and offer a bug bounty such as the one offered by Mozilla

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Maybe Microsoft already runs a bug bounty programme - but searching the company's website returns nothing.

Why so cheap Microsoft?

Community Internet?
Here in Tokoroa this morning, thousands of school pupils were probably hunched over their radios waiting to find out whether one of the local high schools would be open for business.

Bad weather and a faulty boiler meant that Tokoroa High was closed yesterday and I bet a goodly number of kids were hoping it would still be closed today.

Unfortunately, one of the local radio stations got it wrong and shortly after 7 am they announced that the school was open and there was no second day off for pupils. Another station however, report the correct situation: that only the senior classes were being offered so junior students get to stay home another day.

Clearly, the lack of a single definitive public source for such information shows just how much value an official online community noticeboard can be and I notice that this is exactly what some are about to set up here in Tokoroa.

Perhaps such a system would also be a great way to use the power of the Net to bring communities closer together.

I still find it ironic that there are a growing number of people who, thanks to the Net, have closer relationships with people half a world away than they do with their neighbours.

Surely it's time to change that -- and what better way than by fostering community-based wireless networks and content produced by the community, for the community.

I've got a few ideas on this subject but I'd like to hear from anyone who's already engaged in such an initiative.

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