"A genuine crack for Windows Vista has just been released by pirate group Pantheon, which allows a pirated, non-activated installation of Vista (Home Basic/Premium and Ultimate) to be properly activated and made fully-operational. Unlike cracks which have been floating around since Vista RTM was released in late November, this crack doesn't simply get around product activation with beta activation files or timestop cracks - it actually makes use of the activation process."
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Member since:2007-02-22
Agreed.
However, even if Vista didn't get cracked and DRM was effective, product activation and Windows Genuine Advantage are wasted money because it ultimately drives customers away from Microsoft's products.
If anything, cracking Vista will only help Microsoft because, like others here have said, it keeps its userbase from looking for alternatives. Keeping pirates away from the competition only reinforces Windows' ubiquity, which encourages legitmate customers and OEMs to invest in Vista.
Edited 2007-03-04 17:42
Member since:2005-07-26
Exactly. Microsoft has no real intention of stopping all piracy, as that would lower adoption of Windows as the primary desktop OS worldwide. Once it's pirated and widespread use, then companies and governments are hooked, allowing MS to go after them and start charging. By then Windows is too entrenched with their users to seriously consider a switch to Linux (which they otherwise might have started out with).
Member since:
2005-11-10
I just wonder how many millions of dollars spent on developing Vista's activation protection have now just been wasted.
Same with AACS, execpt that's probably closer to Billions.
The cost of DRM is passed onto the consumer, but it has always proven to be completely wasted money.