To date, with its Genuine Advantage anti-piracy programs, Microsoft has targeted consumers. Windows and Office users have been required to validate their products as 'genuine before being able to obtain many downloads and add-ons. Come this fall, however, the software maker is planning to turn up the Genuine Advantage heat in two ways: by baking more Genuine Advantage checks directly into Windows Vista, and by taking aim at PC makers, system builders, Internet cafes and other sources of potentially pirated software.
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Member since:
2005-07-22
Member since:2005-11-13
This is great news for FOSS. May turn some users to drop their pirated Windows and go for a free alternative.
Its turning some 'legit' users against them also. I was running a legit copy of XP Home edition on my laptop, well apparently on the last re-install of XP I hit the 'one too many' point and was directed to call MS.
Screw that mess. I promptly tossed the CD and installed Ubuntu linux. I don't have time to screw around with phone calls and *checks* to verify I'm correctly using something I paid for.
Member since:
2006-01-10
Member since:
2005-11-10
I can re-install Mac OS as many times as I want, there's not even a serial key, no activation. I'm not treated like a criminal at every step, even if I'm a legitimate customer. My BIOS checksum and other needlessly invasive details are not beamed across the Internet in order to verify that the legally binding receipt I own is actually correct.
I don't wish to troll in your face, but Windows users; you should consider giving Linux or Macs an honest, good try and be open to new things.
Microsoft don't have your best interests in heart.
Member since:2005-11-13
I can re-install Mac OS as many times as I want, there's not even a serial key, no activation. I'm not treated like a criminal at every step, even if I'm a legitimate customer..
Perhaps, but if you've got a Mactel, try taking your OSX CD and installing it on non-Mac hardware. Sure, you're not being treated like a criminal, but you're still taking it up the ass nonetheless.
I don't wish to troll in your face, but Windows users; you should consider giving Linux or Macs an honest, good try and be open to new things.
I've tried Linux, and it's not ready for me yet. (Great to see that many people are using it though.) I might be able to switch to OSX, but I'm not willing to pay the Apple Tax to get it either. And no, my PC is not noisy, not cheap, and not slow either. Sure, it ain't as purty as a Mac would be on my desk, but I'm willing to live with that. And no, I do not have virus/malware problems on XP either. It runs smoother than a baby's ass.
PS - All that being said, I tolerate Windows DRM because it's largely transparent. If I ever had to call them to get permission to reinstall it, assuming I hadn't made major hardware changes, I'd probably go back to pen and paper if I had to, but that would be the end of Windows for me. Even *I* have limits 
Microsoft don't have your best interests in heart..
And you think Apple does? They're a for-profit company just like MS. If you want to see how they'd run their business if they had 95% of the desktop market, just look at how they handle the iPod. Can you install WMA files on one yet? Have they finished hacking the firmware so that you can't run Real's codec(s) on them?
Edited 2006-08-09 23:34
Member since:2006-01-10
And you think Apple does? They're a for-profit company just like MS. If you want to see how they'd run their business if they had 95% of the desktop market, just look at how they handle the iPod. Can you install WMA files on one yet? Have they finished hacking the firmware so that you can't run Real's codec(s) on them?
And? I don't know about anyone else, but both WMA and Real's codecs have always sucked for me anyhow. Everytime I've heard any WMA ripped songs, they have problems playing in any player except Windows Media Player, which sucks anyhow. Not that I have an iPod or am even a fan of Apple, but let's get serious, who uses WMA for songs? Everyone uses Mp3, unless they are too lazy and rip their songs with Windows Media Player.
Member since:2005-11-13
Not that I have an iPod or am even a fan of Apple, but let's get serious, who uses WMA for songs?
Pretty much every online music store other than iTunes, that's who. You may think this is irrevalent simply because you personally don't use the codec(s), and I say that's fine. In fact, I actually agree with you - I don't use WMA either.
I'm just pointing out the hypocrisy of those who make Apple to be the savior of those of us who are at the mercy of the Evil Empire that is Microsoft. Hell, if I were politically motivated, I'd stick with Linux and wouldn't go near a Mac. I don 't want to drop a software monopoly on one platform to jump into the arms of a software and hardware monopoly on another platform.
Member since:2005-07-06
Why? I have legal copies of Windows and this stuff hasn't taken more than 5 minutes of my time in total. Sure, if it screwed up on me, I'd be upset. But it has not, and I'm not really that concerned.
If it bothers you, feel free to not use Windows over it. Don't try and tell other people what to do though.
Member since:
2005-08-06
Well MacOS does force you to register your name/phone/address with Apple to install the software, unless you LIE to them , or know a special key combo, open-apple Q or something like that.
I would be interested to know how the screws will be tightened in Vista in the fall, it will still be in a free beta stage then won't it, what is the point of WGA checks at all?
Edited 2006-08-09 21:52
Member since:2005-11-10
Member since:2006-03-12
They force you to create an address card for yourself and then direct you to use it to register. The registration itself is fully optional.
I definitely don't like being forced to put information into anything, even if it doesn't go anywhere. It's still intrusive. But unlike with Windows, if you have an install disc and a Mac to put it in, install will succeed, with no need for secret codes or an Internet connection, and Apple won't shut you down later on. It's all part of the whole computer-as-an-appliance "It Just Works" thing.
Member since:2005-08-06
Member since:2005-07-06
Well MacOS does force you to register your name/phone/address with Apple to install the software, unless you LIE to them , or know a special key combo, open-apple Q or something like that.
Bullshit; don't have it hooked up to the telephone or network, go through the rego process; the instalation realises you're no connected, saves the details in your home directory; go into that, and delete the icon.
There you go, you've just bypassed the so-called 'forced registration' - hardly something that would require an IQ of 150.
Member since:
2006-07-16
Microsoft reminds me of a common street corner drug dealer. For years, it turned a blind eye to casual copying between friends and neighbors (and third world countries) because this helped to seed its products everywhere and make them a standard. Now, when all most people know are Windows and Office, they've decided to get tough and crack down, milking every red cent they can get. While it's true that one should use only legitimate software, Microsoft's hands are not entirely clean when it comes to pirated copies of its software. Personally, i've been Microsoft free for several years as I enjoy the benefits of GNU/Linux, Mozilla Firefox and Openoffice.org. And, I haven't had to put up with the scourge of malware plaguing Windows.
Member since:
2005-07-13
Microsoft needs piracy so Vista has a fast rate of adoption and a big install base asap.
There are high chances people won't drop XP but compare the offers of their unix competitors.
If Vista doesn't succed fast then developers will embarce their capabilities slowly, as a matter of fact everything will run on both Vista and XP.
So if you don't need Vista to run the last version of THAT GREAT application you use at work/home, why switch? (Apple knows this trick as a matter of fact)
So expect Vista versions not so difficult to crack at the beginning.
Member since:
2006-03-08
My job is to fix people's computers. I get computers in all the time where the key for windows is not recoverable(usually not applied to the case or even removed). I've seen systems decimated by spyware, viruses and all that garbage to the point that they no longer boot.
Am I, the system repair guy, supposed to charge another $150 for a copy of windows because I don't have access to a key? If I put that on the price tag for a repair, they'd laugh at me.
Granted, I have no way of knowing if their copy was legitimate - when I'm fixing a computer for, lets say, the elderly, do I have much motivation for seeing them as theives?
Member since:
2005-07-06
Member since:
2005-07-06
I posted this at another site but, no need to change the truth.
Doesn't matter at all for me. Windows has been the only OS I've used since 1997 and I'm just tired of the bull now. Yeah, they have a right to protect against piracy but not at my expence. I'll be moving to a different OS when Vista hits the market.
I'm a paying customer, not a criminal.
So most likely I'll move to linux, I already own an iBook and don't really like MacOS that much. Linux "feels" better to me. It is a little more difficult than a Mac but we gotta do what we goota do I guess.
Member since:
2006-06-22
While there is nothing wrong, IMO, with MS insisting to service only legitimate customers, there is everything wrong with HOW they do it now, and to top things we are talking about a genuine (pun intended) spyware. A big apology, a proper disclosure, and better validation methods are in order. I forecast that with increased linux preloaded hardware offerings from bigger manufacturers, MS market share is going to steadily decline.
Member since:
2006-03-13
...can be found here:
http://www.microsoft-watch.com/article2/0,2180,2001181,00.asp
Member since:
2006-01-17
Microsoft plays this in a very clever way. They want to make a life harder for majority and force them into finally giving up and buying windows. But those persistent will be able to have a pirated version and even regularly download crack for the WGA system and make updates.
Without this, it is certain that some people would move to Linux, especially in poor countries where it is hard to afford a legal copy of Windows.
Member since:
2005-11-30
I distinctly recall media reports of early editions of MS Office that would lock people out of their legitimate copies of MS Office because it all of a sudden thought it wasn't registered or was a pirated copy or something. Meh. I am perfectly happy with my legitmate copy of XP Pro. No Vista for me!
Member since:
2006-06-25
Member since:
2006-06-04
Microsoft is a business just like Red Hat, Novell etc...
If they want you to stand on you hands just to use their software then that is their right. It is also our right not to buy their crap. Luckily we have alternatives (like PC-BSD). We will just have to keep getting the word out to people that there are alternatives to Windows. We also need to keep hounding companies for better driver support of linux or bsd. I don't like the idea of WGA either but Microsoft did not get to be rich by giving away Windows free to everyone.
Member since:
2006-02-27
Member since:2005-07-10
Actually if you're running a legitimate license key for your Windows installation then the WGA check will not be an issue. After all Windows Update downloads and runs it in the background to verify whether or not the key is a duplicate or not.
I have noticed an increase in people interested in running a Linux distribution instead of their pirated Windows since this new WGA check. While it's good to see it teaches people to use software legally I believe it's also causing a reverse effect on Windows users than what Microsoft had intended. This issue is causing people to seriously look at the over all cost of running Windows in comparison to Linux as well what solutions each one provides for consumers.
Member since:
2005-10-11
Im all for microsoft ligitamately stopping piracy by any and all means hell they should even lock the os to ip and mac address as well as hardware profile. REALLY stopping piracy will just mean a boost to linux and mac imho. Ive made the move to linux and my wife who had a legitimate version of windows was hit with the wga bull and asked to to install ubuntu on her laptop and has been happy ever since.
Member since:
2006-04-18
Member since:
2006-08-10
Member since:
2006-01-04
As mentioned by other posters, the WGA seems to be having a negative effect on Windows usage. Arguably, piracy has helped Microsoft gain their current market share, and the majority of home users I know have a pirated copy of Windows (though many don't know, it was just installed by their family computer geek).
A few of them switched over to Linux or OS X when they had WGA issues. I used to be a bit bothered about WGA but I decided that, no, it's up to Microsoft if they want to do this... just means that they could potentially lose users.
A few times I've been asked by people in respectable positions to pirate a copy of Windows and Office/Publisher so I could read their documents or otherwise interact with them. This will serve as a good excuse: "It's now too hard to pirate Windows".
