Is Upgrading to Windows XP SP2 Worthwhile?

Since Microsoft released its Windows XP Service Pack 2 for download, early adopters have reported a range of problems with SP2, including software incompatibilities and installation headaches. I.T. security group Sans Institute reported that around a third of users experienced solvable problems on installation, while one in 10 saw systems crash or had to rebuild their systems.
One of the main problems with SP2 is incompatibility with other programs. Microsoft has released a long list of programs that are affected, including many of its own products. Even administrators of sophisticated networks are having a hard time making their way through the update, security firm Secunia's CTO Thomas Kristensen told NewsFactor. "People really should be very careful" about this mega-patch, he stressed.

The problems, according to Microsoft, are caused by the Windows XP Firewall, which is set to block certain Internet connections. SP2's firewall settings are configured by default to a high level of security, which prevents certain data from being transmitted to and from the 50 applications which are listed by Microsoft. Among the affected applications that conflict with SP2 are the Microsoft Web server, FTP clients, multimedia streaming software, and new mail notifications in some e-mail programs.