University students and faculty areconcerned that the release of Microsoft’s new Windows XP ServicePack 2 could create problems with the campus computer network.
    As school gets back into full swing,Microsoft is introducing a new version of Windows XP that willprotect against spyware and viruses and create a stronger firewallfor PC users.
    However, the program takes up a lot ofhard drive space: 1.8 gigabytes, according to the Microsoft Website. If too many university students try to download the servicepack all at once, the campus network may slow downsignificantly.
    Andy Waggenspack, the telecommunicationsmanager at the University, said the new service pack may or may notaffect the campus network.
    ”We are not encouraging faculty andstaff to install XP Service Pack 2 because we are not sure what itwill do to the network,” Waggenspack said.
    According to Waggenspack, the newservice pack will “definitely have effects.”
    As for students, Waggenspack said mostof them do not have automatic update activated on their computers.If automatic updates are installed, Windows will download ServicePack 2 on Aug. 25, the Microsoft scheduled date for releasing thenew application.
    Windows XP Service Pack 2 already hasbeen released to people who have Windows XP Home Version. The homeprogram is safer because a new application like this will not causean entire network to collapse.
    Whether or not related to the newService Pack, students have been recognizing slow downloading andcomputer speeds lately.
    ”My internet has slowed down a lot sinceI have been at school,” Landry Simoneaux, psychology freshman,said.
    Other students said the update may havebad timing. Paige Zapffe, a chemistry sophomore, said, “I don’tthink Microsoft should have come out with this program at thebeginning of the school year. We need high speed Internet forscheduling and purging classes.”
    Microsoft warns users of the size of theapplication on its Web site. It calls the new service pack a”significant update” and suggests PC users trying to download thenew service pack should first create a restore point and back upthe files on their computers.
    The website also said computers that arenot updated with the service pack will be more susceptible tocatching and spreading internet worms and viruses.