[thr0waway1239]

The Microsoft Playbook:

* Predicate the commercial viability of your software on the basis of technological illiteracy

* Blame the technologically illiterate 'luser user' when things go wrong

* Try and profit from it even as you blame said 'luser user'

The best lesson for Microsoft would be if it incurs a tremendous loss to its reputation, and more importantly its bottom line, because of some issue like this.

It is strange to see people talking about how they took an exception and released a patch for Windows XP this time. Generally, such an exception is the very definition of CYA. If not, why don't they do it for all patches? Read: if the security hole can be used as a way to convince the 'luser user' to pony up more money, don't release a patch. But if the issue is so high profile (for example linking MSFT to a three letter organization), then better issue a patch and CYA.