Warning this article may contain opinions of the author that you and iTWire don't necessarily agree with. Don't let them get away with it - have your say with a comment!

No. 1 Story

ACCC clears Optus to scrap HFC network and use NBN instead

The ACCC has cleared, provisionally, the proposed deal between Optus and NBN Co under which Optus is to be paid around $800m to shut down its HFC network and transfer customers onto the NBN. read more

Dear Microsoft: Don't meddle with Firefox

Opinion and Analysis

It is quite clear that Microsoft has zero comprehension of the problem they created:

Quoting from the Microsoft download page: "In .NET Framework 3.5 SP1, the .NET Framework Assistant enables Firefox to use the ClickOnce technology that is included in the .NET Framework. The .NET Framework Assistant is added at the machine-level to enable its functionality for all users on the machine. As a result, the Uninstall button is shown as unavailable in the Firefox Add-ons list because standard users are not permitted to uninstall machine-level components. In this update for .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 and in Windows 7, the .NET Framework Assistant will be installed on a per-user basis. As a result, the Uninstall button will be functional in the Firefox Add-ons list. This update will also make this version of the .NET Framework Assistant for Firefox compatible with future versions of the Firefox browser. To properly update the .NET Framework Assistant, this update must be applied while the extension is enabled in Firefox. To remedy the result of installing this update while the extension was disabled, uninstall the update, re-enable the extension, and reinstall the update. Updates to the .NET Framework Assistant may include updates to the Windows Presentation Foundation Plug-in for Firefox causing it to be enabled upon its initial update."

I don't know about you, but that sure reads like it's a LONG way from either an apology or a genuine uninstall procedure.  They still think they're right.  As always.

The Windows Secrets newsletter offers a lot more information on how to evade this silver bullet.  I suggest you read what they have to say.

Better still, alert your friendly Microsoft representative to your anger, and to the fact that their fix really doesn't understand the issue.