It looks like the BloatFarmers forgot to test out its latest
fix.
Of well, it is just the users who get screwed. No big deal.
Bug keeps some Office users from their files
Summary
Some users of an older version of Microsoft Office may find that their protected documents are now not only protected, but completely inaccessible.
Topics
Some users of an older version of Microsoft Office may find that their protected documents are now not only protected, but completely inaccessible.
Microsoft warned on Friday that a glitch is causing users of Office 2003 to be unable to access files protected using Microsoft's Rights Management Service.
The software maker acknowledged the bug on its Office Sustained Engineering blog and said it is working to fix the issue.
For more, read "Bug keeps some Office users from their files" on CNET News.
Talkback Most Recent of 15 Talkback(s)
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Jeremy W14th Dec 2009 -
just pay the tax
All part of the MicroSoft Tax. What is the fuss about? As the rattlesnake
said to the naturalist after it bit him: "You know I was a snake before
you picked me up."
john_gillespie@...14th Dec 2009 -
Who'da thunk it?
Buggy DRM locks users out of their data? Gasp! Say it ain't so!
Just another in the long list of reasons why the use of DRM technology needs to be illegal.
masonwheeler14th Dec 2009 -
Nothing to do with DRM
This has nothing to do with DRM. This is a bug in a feature that gives users the ability to restrict access to files they create and then publish, say on a company network. Sometimes access to documents needs to be restricted, and this is one way of providing that kind of protection.
It has nothing to do with what of which you appear to be thinking in regard to DRM. And if you feel DRM technology is to be made illegal, hope you're not using PGP or anything like it.
kb149314th Dec 2009 -
That's the DEFINITION of DRM
"users the ability to restrict access to files they create and then publish" How is that not DRM?
rpmyers114th Dec 2009 -
MS say it is DRM
FRom :
support.microsoft.com/?kbid=978551
"Starting on December 11, 2009, customers using Office 2003 will not be able to open Office 2003 documents protected with the Active Directory Rights Management Service (AD RMS) or Rights Management Services (RMS). Customers will also not be able to save Office 2003 documents protected with AD RMS/RMS."
So, it is Rights Management, and if your files are not digital, then what?
Too many secrets.
Chaz Chance#15th Dec 2009 -
What world do you live in ??
You believe HR data should be open to all?
Please provide a signed release so all your medical records are viewable on-line. Oh, never mind, a release isn't necessary since you don't believe in DRM.
Regulator195614th Dec 2009 -
Huh?
Not sure what HR data and medical records have to do with anything. This is about a bug in "Rights Management" service, which is the R and the M in DRM. (The D stands for Digital.)
Proponents like to describe it as a security technology, but it's never secure when it's controlled by an external agency (such as Microsoft) and not by the owner of the computer.
DRM needs to be illegal because it's consistently being used to take the control of the functionality of the computer away from the owner and transfer control to external agencies. In any other context, this is known as hacking, and is illegal.
In this case, loss of access to data was accidental. But it shows that it can happen. The users were at Microsoft's mercy to provide a patch to restore their data, and if Microsoft had chosen not to, there's nothing the users could have done about it. Next time this happens, it could be Microsoft (or someone else) doing so maliciously.
Just look at the Kindle fiasco with those George Orwell books. That's DRM in action, and despite what proponents try to tell you, that's exactly what the technology exists for. Control, not security. It's an evil technology, and it needs to be illegal.masonwheeler14th Dec 2009 -
This is not DRM.
I want certain files to be encrypted so that only certain people can view it. However, this bug doesn't even allow the who are authorized to view the files.
DRM is supposed to prevent unauthorized use or copying of copyrighted material and is not only encryption per se or for privacy like in HIPAA which use several layers of technology to safeguard your information, if implemented properly.
phatkat14th Dec 2009 -
RE: Bug keeps some Office users from their files
I Think this the so called Microsoft "Swan?s Chant"! This is the best way Microsoft found to commit suicide!
As a mater of fact, I stooped using MSN Messenger when the risks and bugs surpassed the "profit".
Now Microsoft is shouting out loud that it is much wiser for all of us to use Open Office rather than MS Office.
Thank you Bill!
egoconcept14th Dec 2009 -
Hotfix Released
They've released a hotfix for the affected products...
https://blogs.technet.com/office_sustained_engineering/archive/2009/12/12/cannot-open-office-2003-documents-protected-with-rms-update.aspx
Cannot Open Office 2003 Documents Protected with RMS - Update
The issue of the inability to open Office 2003 documents protected with RMS has now been resolved with a hotfix.? You can obtain the hotfix by using the following locations.
Office Client ? KB978551
Word Viewer ? KB978558
Excel Viewer ? KB978557
kanned14th Dec 2009 -
new security feature perhaps?
If you can't open it there is no risk:)
ismoore14th Dec 2009 -
RE: Bug keeps some Office users from their files
There is a problem with O-97 compatibility, not just O-2003.
O-2007 Access DB failed to open an old 97 file, but also made it so the O-97 program /PC can no longer open/modify it. I need that file.
AND Don't suggest Open-O, that won't open it either.
mallen@...14th Dec 2009 -
bug fix issued
If you read the article, it's a specific problem,due to a specific cause:see
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=978551
There is a bug fix issued for it with the bulletin. Enough said.
janitorman14th Dec 2009 -
Everything saved in any way is copyrighted. Conspiracy Theory.
According to copyright law, as expressed in numerous writers' publications, any thing you record by print or digital means in any way, is automatically considered copyrighted. You do not need to register the property with the Copyright Office. All a copyright/patent does is record officially when you EXECUTED the idea. It also is used to decide issues like Fair Use. So, DRM can protect you from some unauthorised person using your private communications or files for their gain.
Copyright law does bring out some interesting cases. Like the publication of The Wind Done Gone as an unauthorised sequel to Gone with the Wind and that My Sweet Lord' opening notes ripped off He's So Fine.
Back to original topic. Maybe it is just a marketing ploy to get all the older copies of Office replaced with new? After all, if it still works don't replace it. Solution: Make it not work.
Paul
pfyearwood15th Dec 2009
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