On TV.com: TV's 15 Funniest Catchphrases
BNET Business Network:
BNET
TechRepublic
ZDNet
TalkBack 2 of 63:
Next »
« Previous
Lies, dam lies, and statistics.
15 times safer. Based on fewer installations of specific malware.

Well, let's see where these stats can be messed up, shall we?

First, we have the question of normalizing for time on the internet. SP2 installations include almost all new PCs coming out. What was the average time-to-infection of XP Gold and XP SP1? How does that compare with XP SP2?

Second, specific malware. Is this malware still being actively pushed? I mean, just because SQL Server 2005 has 97% fewer Slammer worm infections means nothing. Give me time, installations, and infection frequency.

Third - is this normalized for technical proficiency of the user? Do SP2 people average more technically knowledgable (because yes, it can be more secure, so many people who need to use XP upgraded), and was that adjusted for?

Also on this vein - are the XP and SP1 people more home users, and the SP2 people more corporate users?

All I can say is, God save me from fools and statisticians.
Posted by: brendthess   Posted on: 05/24/05 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

Alert moderator to an offensive message

Subscribe to this discussion via Email or RSS

My math is rusty.. 15 * 0 = ummm... 0?  Xunil_Sierutuf | 05/24/05
Lies, dam lies, and statistics.  brendthess | 05/24/05
You mean Null * ANYTHING = Null?  Bill_Jackson | 05/25/05
Only 100 times more to go...  BitTwiddler | 05/24/05
Use FireFox, not IEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE  Xunil_Sierutuf | 05/24/05
wish I could uninstall IE  JasonL31 | 05/24/05
You Can Uninstall IE  andyhayes1 | 05/24/05
Try Google, it tells you how  voska | 05/24/05
try xplite happy  Arm A. Geddon | 05/25/05
Use Opera, not Firefoxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx  TimeBomb | 05/24/05
All those "XX", is FireFox better for pr0n?  Xunil_Sierutuf | 05/25/05
Mac OS X, makes your computer completely secure!  gtdworak | 05/24/05
Cut it out, man...  slingzenarrowzuvowtrayjissforchin | 05/24/05
Repeat after me 1000 times  Squawkbox | 05/24/05
I will not feed the trolls  d_jedi | 05/24/05
Whew!  Jeff Spicoli | 05/24/05
Amazing what..  d_jedi | 05/24/05
I think u missed 1  Linux User 147560 | 05/24/05
Nice try Troll!  Reverend MacFellow | 05/24/05
No, to secure a computer you need to....  nucrash | 05/25/05
That's Like Saying Using A Condom With A Hole In It Is Safer  itanalyst | 05/24/05
As my Native American Father used to say..  Xunil_Sierutuf | 05/24/05
Message has been deleted.  widge_z | 05/24/05
That sounds like the South Jersey version..  Xunil_Sierutuf | 05/24/05
if ms would not have so many HIDDEN place to install and run stuff  JasonL31 | 05/24/05
Oh you mean Windows 2000 SP2?  Jeff Spicoli | 05/24/05
Good one, Jeff  slingzenarrowzuvowtrayjissforchin | 05/24/05
Zank you, Sling Ze Arrow  Jeff Spicoli | 05/24/05
Call me when MICROSUCKS gets 10,000 % more secure...  realitycheck101 | 05/24/05
Our security guys said it was 20x more secure..  Mike Cox | 05/24/05
Must have been a fruit bar ..........................  Can you hear me | 05/24/05
9.5  Real World | 05/24/05
Wow!  luke_sg | 05/24/05
Hey Mike Cox you are indeed anoying, stop this stupid act and get real  johnpall@... | 05/25/05
Hook, line and sinker  shallow_diver | 05/25/05
5.1 Not so good  nucrash | 05/25/05
15 x 0 = ????  Reverend MacFellow | 05/24/05
Let's see here...  rpmyers1 | 05/24/05
Secure surfing with multiple browsers  Wagadonga | 05/24/05
Microsoft: SP2 makes Windows 15 times safer  Loverock Davidson | 05/24/05
You are 15 times more...  MepisLINUXuser | 05/24/05
You are 15 times more...  Loverock Davidson | 05/24/05
I disagree  ipm@... | 05/24/05
I agree too. it's more like...  Arm A. Geddon | 05/25/05
It was only a matter of time  michael-t | 05/24/05
IDIOT EXPLODER IS THE PROBLEM, wake up you Microslaves.  MepisLINUXuser | 05/24/05
Not Neccesarily  Stubby_z | 05/26/05
You do realize...  toadlife | 05/26/05
LINSUX AND MACINCRAP CAN BE ATTACKED  internet11 | 05/27/05
Microspy: We collect 15 times more information...  MepisLINUXuser | 05/24/05
What kind of pathetic corporation toots their own...  MepisLINUXuser | 05/24/05
There are so many variables, measuring is...  MepisLINUXuser | 05/24/05
re: There are so many variables, measuring is...  redxii | 05/24/05
Ummm, no...  MepisLINUXuser | 05/25/05
Look out, Microsuck users  ChinesePhDinCA | 05/24/05
It was that bad, huh? lol!  bobwinners | 05/24/05
malware is responsible for 1/3 of the crashes?  linuxoverwindows | 05/25/05
Another 1/3 is caused by....  toadlife | 05/25/05
Bad drivers are main cause  PB_z | 05/26/05
rotflmao  kray_z | 05/25/05
who cares about security when it locks up your computer  dclark4700 | 05/25/05
Do you have an Athlon64 processor?  toadlife | 05/25/05
Do you have an Athlon64 processor?  toadlife | 05/25/05

What do you think?

SponsoredWhite Papers, Webcasts, and Downloads

advertisement
advertisement
  • Smart Tech Expert advice on innovations in healthcare and the green technologies that make it happen. Find out more
  • Smart Business Discussion and advice on management issues that revolve around making your world smarter and more useful. More Smart Advice
  • Smart People The best and worst moves in the management and strategy trenches. Learn More