Re:It Gets Worse (Score 2, Interesting)

Yes, read the patent before you post.

34. The method of claim 25 wherein said method has the ability to monitor, update and control versions of software resident on said computer-related hardware device.
5. A method for asset management using the World Wide Web, comprising:
- accessing the World Wide Web through a series of computer-related hardware devices connected to a network;
- transferring information regarding each computer-related hardware device in said series of computer-related hardware devices to a remote storage medium;
- compiling information related to said series of computer-related hardware devices derived from said information residing on said remote storage medium; and
- preparing and disseminating reports compiled from said information.

The patent was probably filled (and applies to) enterprise-class workstation managing software. Funnily, though, if you ignore the WWW bit, mounting home directories over NFS would be prior art for this patent.

Also, simple internet installation is covered in the prior art -- there's a link to Microsoft's patent on internet installation.