"John Corliss" <jcorliss@fake.invalid> wrote in message
news:11rcvpma3k6bh2d@corp.supernews.com...
> Pegasus (MVP) wrote:
> > John Corliss wrote:
> >> Pegasus (MVP) wrote:
> >>> John Corliss wrote:
> >>>
> >>>> When I was using Millennium Edition, Hyperterminal was an optional
> >>>> installation and I never put it on the hard drive. Now, in XP, I see
> >>>> that it's installed by default and there's no way to remove it
easily.
> >>>> Can anybody tell me why this is so? Especially in light of this page:
> >>>
> >
http://www.trendmicro.com.au/consume...VAdvisories=24
> >
> >>>> From what I've read, it's necessary for a "Telnet session", whatever
> >>>> that is, and I don't remember every doing one. Seems to me that it's
> >>>> just another hole for a hacker to crawl in through. Is it going to
hurt
> >>>> anything to remove Hyperterminal?
> >>>
> >>> Hyperterminal is not active unless you activate it by clicking
> >>> its shortcut, so it is of no danger to you. Don't worry about it!
> >>
> >> Thanks, but what do I need it installed for? Can you tell me what other
> >> programs depend on it being installed or what use I would ever have for
> >> it? I don't even have a fax/modem in my box because I connect via
cable.
> >>
> >> I tend to be a minimalist when it comes to installed stuff. For
> >> instance, I intent to totally remove Windows Messenger.
> >
> > AFAI, hyperterminal is a stand-alone program with no
> > dependencies. It uses 1/1000 of what's in the system32
> > folder, so deleting it is equivalent to shaving one dollar
> > off the price of a $1000 laptop. You'll have to do a lot
> > of shaving to make an impact!
>
> Well, then so be it. I just don't like having programs on my computer
> that I can't easily uninstall, and for which there seems to be no
> purpose. This smacks to me of some kind of "loaded agenda" type deal.
>
> For instance, why ...if I'm not on any kind of LAN... should I have
> NetBIOS, File and Printer Sharing, Client for MS Networks, etc. etc.
> etc. installed by default? Why isn't all of this stuff offered as
> options during Windows setup?
>
> I just don't like letting my soft underbelly show any more than is
> necessary.
>
> --
> Regards from John Corliss

Because many people need the above listed and it makes for a much more
seamless installation for the majority of the people using the product and
the overhead is minimal and easily uninstalled for the ones that can be
uninstalled.
It's the same with any OS today, even Linux distros that try to be user
friendly install things that not everyone needs. MAC is the same. Someone
buying a laptop for the first time really appreciates how easy it is to
login to a wireless network today as compared to a couple of years ago. Take
out the LAN capability and the ease is gone.
It makes more sense to include them for the people that need them than to
not for the few that are overly minimalist and a minority of the install
base.

Michael Stevens MS-MVP XP
xpnews@bogusmichaelstevenstech.com
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com
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