New IE 6 SP1 and Direct X downloads

FYI…

- http://isc.sans.org/diary.php?storyid=703
Last Updated: 2005-09-24 22:37:53 UTC
"There are two new downloads from Microsoft with publish dates of last week. The first is Internet Explorer 6 SP1, for systems that are -not- XP SP2. Not a lot of detail or documentation available on this yet. It shows a publish date of 21 Sept 2005.
- http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details…&DisplayLang;=en
"Overview
Internet Explorer 6 SP1, the latest version of Internet Explorer for users -not- running Windows XP, provides a flexible and reliable browsing experience with enhanced Web privacy features for all Windows users. This version includes a full installation of the Web browser and the most recent version of Outlook Express, the e-mail client that is included with Internet Explorer…"

The second is an update Security Fix for DirectX 8 on Windows 2000, Windows ME, Windows 98 SE, and Windows 98. The KB article does not appear to have been updated, but the download has a publish date of 22 Sept 2005. The original advisory was MS03-030.
- http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details…&DisplayLang;=en
"Quick Description
This security patch fixes a MIDI file security issue in Windows 2000, Windows ME, Windows 98SE, and Windows 98 systems where DirectX has been updated to versions from 8.0 through 8.1b… "

AplusWebMaster, have you seen / heard anything about IE 7.0 beta?

FYI…

Exculpatory information
- http://isc.sans.org/diary.php?storyid=708
Last Updated: 2005-09-27 18:14:23 UTC
"…The Microsoft's Download Center's "Release Date" for the Diary items said;
"Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 1 Release date 9/21/2005" and "Security Fix for DirectX 8 (KB819696) Release date 9/22/2005".
When you click the download link for the details of each Download Center item, the download "Date Published" information says;
"Internet Explorer 6 Service Pack 1 Date Published: 9/22/2005" and goes on to say:
"Quick Description:
Internet Explorer 6 is the set of core Web browsing technologies in Windows XP. These core technologies have recently been updated as part of Windows XP Service Pack 2 (SP2) with Advanced Security Technologies". And I assumed (I know ….) that MS had updated IE running on XPSP1 with IEXPSP2 security technology…. No other clueful information there. Moving on, the "Security Fix for DirectX 8 on Windows 2000, Windows ME, Windows 98 SE, and Windows 98 (KB819696)" says "Date Published: 9/22/2005". Again, there's no other clueful information there.
On "Latest" and Published"
In addition, when you receive the "Microsoft Download Notifications" email service (in this case September 23, 2005") and click it's links for the "latest" you get the same date items as above. The "Notifications" email is "a free weekly mailing that provides you with the latest drivers, trial software, service packs, and other downloads from the Microsoft Download Center. Listed below are downloads published in the Download Center in the past week, in the categories that you have chosen*".
In summary "Date released", "Date Published" and "latest" have nothing to do with currency…"