Waider-tested, Feet-approved

I've installed my new desk, and rearranged my room. Somehow adding a piece of furniture has increased the available space, and that's before I'd transferred all the crap into the desk. Bizarre.

Of course, I now need a new chair, because the one I have is stuck at the wrong height and while it's fun to have my feet up on the desk, it's not terrifically comfortable after a few hours and is probably doing terrible things to my spine.

straw poll

I'm kinda curious how Joe Consumer reacts to what I see as a very real threat to my livelihood and lifestyle (as detailed in earlier lj entry). To that end, I've been thinking about how I'd ask someone who's not technically savvy, or more to the point, doesn't want to be technically savvy. I think the line of questioning would go along these lines, perhaps with elaboration where necessary:

Do you have a computer?

Does it run Windows?

Do you use it to access the Internet?

At this point, you'd have to start branching out a bit, I guess.

Do you use Microsoft's Windows Update feature?

Are you aware that some of Microsoft's Internet tools have errors in them that can allow other people to access your computer? (can you think of a better way of phrasing this that is not disingenuous? I'm not trying to indulge in FUD here.) Are you aware that Microsoft provides fixes for these tools via Windows Update?

Before Microsoft provides you with these updates, they ask you to agree to a license for their use. Are you aware of the contents of such licenses?

Now, you can see what I'm getting at here. I am trying to get the person on the other side of this conversation to understand that they are between a rock and a hard place: on one hand, your machine is at risk if you do not update it, and on the other hand, you're giving Microsoft certain rights to your machine if you do update it. I am trying to present this in a simple, non-biased, unquestionable fashion, such that there is no doubt about your choices.

I have an ulterior motive; I'm going to contact my local government representative, and I'd like to be prepared for the eventuality that he has no idea what I'm talking about. And more to the point, I'd like to get other people to contact their local government representatives, and I'd like them to understand what they're asking the reps and why it's important. I'm also thinking about a similar line of questioning regarding the proposed Palladium/TCPA systems.

I don't even know if clickwrap licensing is legal in this country. I don't care. Last week when I cleaned up the Klez.E infection on my parents' computer, I told them to keep it up-to-date with patches from Microsoft's site. Now I'm going to have to tell them that that may not be such a good idea any more.