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MS To Limit Security Fixes to Legal Copies of Windows 912
rufey writes "An Associated Press artcile on MSNBC is reporting that Microsoft is going to start restricting access to security updates from pirated copies of its Windows operating systems. Starting in mid 2005, if you have a pirated copy of Windows, the only way to obtain security updates will be through the automatic updates mechanism. And even that method may be restricted at a future date. The article is light on details about what versions of Windows this will affect. Parts of the system to check for a valid copy of Windows is already used when downloading software (such as Media Player) from Microsoft - except that validation is currently optional." EnderWigginsXenocide points out Reuters' version of the story.
For those who have RTFA issues... (Score:5, Informative)
Re:For those who have RTFA issues... (Score:3, Funny)
Or you can use your MSDN OS License from work...:)
Re:For those who have RTFA issues... (Score:5, Insightful)
And hey, as long as you're using stuff from work, why not just take your printer home, too? They'll never miss it.
Re:For those who have RTFA issues... (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:For those who have RTFA issues... (Score:5, Informative)
Re:For those who have RTFA issues... (Score:5, Informative)
Here's the requirements for subscribing to the Action Pack, and what you get for your money:
Requirement - register as Microsoft Partner. Basic membership is free, and qualifies you for both the Action Pack and for discounts on add-on services (like MSDN).
In the box you get:
XP (all versions including Media Edition) - 10 licenses
2003 Server, 2003 Server Web Edition, 2003 Server SBE - 1 each
Office Pro - 10 licenses
Virtual PC (Windows) - 10 licenses
Exchange Server - 1 license
Plus you get Visio, Project, System Builder Edition discs and licenses, service packs on CD plus slipstreamed install discs, selling materials, and all sorts of other server/client software.
The cost of the Action Pack is $299 per year - but I just got offered a renewal for $199 (which I immediately took). It was a no-brainer. They send you quarterly updates and occasional goodies as well.
The link to the Partner Program is https://partner.microsoft.com/partner [microsoft.com] - from there you can register and order it if you wanted to. For all the (usually justified) bashing Microsoft gets here, they do make it very easy and inexpensive for IT people to get into their product line. And that's part of the reason they still dominate the universe.
Re:For those who have RTFA issues... (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:For those who have RTFA issues... (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:For those who have RTFA issues... (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:For those who have RTFA issues... (Score:3, Informative)
Microsoft doesn't even support 98 anymore so what's the big deal? [microsoft.com]
Re:For those who have RTFA issues... (Score:5, Insightful)
I could see using a friends disk if you lost yours but you should have been able to use your own key. There are something things that you should know are important. You save tax information, you save receipts in case something you bought is defective, you save warranty papers, why not save your product keys?
If you can't afford it don't use it. No body is forcing anyone under threats of violence to use Windows. For a while I couldn't afford Windows so I used Linux. I didn't want to do something that could leave me open to fines or arrest and mainly I wanted to do what was 'right' as defined by law. Now that I can afford it I will buy a legit copy with a legit key (that I will write down and store) and I will be okay. There will always be Have's and Have Not's in this world. Just because your a Have Not doesn't automatically make it okay for you to use a pirated copy of software.
This wont be MS fault if your using something you shouldn't be using and can't get your updates. Those still using 98 legitimately is a different topic.
Re:For those who have RTFA issues... (Score:3, Insightful)
That's right, Shawn, I do. And that's exactly why it bugs me. I already have enough shit like that to keep track of without adding software activation codes, dongles or backup copies of my activation files.
I don't use Linux because I can't afford Windows. I use it because I can install it where I need to without jumping through activation hoops, without keep
Re:For those who have RTFA issues... (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:For those who have RTFA issues... (Score:5, Insightful)
If the bank falls for your sob story and coughs up another twenty, they're out twenty bucks. If MS hands over your key, they aren't out anything except maybe some support time, and they've earned customer goodwill besides!
GTRacer
- DRM still sucks...
Re:For those who have RTFA issues... (Score:3, Insightful)
But Microsoft doesn't run on customer good will. They run on money, like most companies. If you get a free copy of the program, that is $XXX less they bring in.
I don't care how much money Microsoft is making. Breaking a license by not paying for commercial software is wrong. What if someone said, shit, I want to use Linux in my commercial project, but I'm not giving away my sou
Re:For those who have RTFA issues... (Score:3, Insightful)
If you hate MS quit being a hypocrite and don't use their products. All people like you do is help their cause by giving them marketshare ammo and ammo the seek stricter copyright laws and enforcement.
I never will understand the mentality here on
Re:For those who have RTFA issues... (Score:5, Informative)
Now if you didn't register your copy, or can't remember the information you used for that purpose, SOL.
Re:For those who have RTFA issues... (Score:3, Informative)
Re:For those who have RTFA issues... (Score:3, Informative)
Re:"Already own"? (Score:3, Insightful)
In fact a lot of software vendors (smaller ones, admittedly) are happy to give you your license code if you just call the
Several HUGE differences (Score:5, Insightful)
Similarly, if I've lost my software key, then I've lost my proof of ownership, and I'm just as much a pirate as anybody else if I use a friend's key when installing.
No one can expect Microsoft to cover for one's own sloppiness - if you lose your key then you'll have to buy a new one. There's no "I already own this" argument to be made when you've lost it yourself.
First, as the other poster mentioned, a mobile phone is a physical entity that costs something to manufacture, and therefore costs a lot to replace. Therefore, reasonably, the manufacturer shouldn't have to pay for your sloppiness. However, a logical entity such as a software key costs NOTHING to replace, and software costs VIRTUALLY NOTHING to copy.
Second, you own that cell phone that you purchased. It's yours. But you DO NOT OWN SOFTWARE. You own a license to use that softare. And the key is not that license! The key is simply proof of the license, and losing the key does not equal losing the license that you own.
Basically, whether you have the right to use software when you've lost the piece of paper that says "you have a right to use this software" has *nothing* to do with whether you have the right to a new free phone if you lose your old one. The analogy is horribly flawed.
Re:Several HUGE differences (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Several HUGE differences (Score:3, Insightful)
It might have been close had you not said (and the money in it). He didn't store money in his account he paid money to open his account just like he paid money to get a copy of windows. The money part for the computer would be equilivent (I dont feel like spell checking) data stored on his machine through windows which he still should have access to.
Mod parent up (Score:3, Informative)
Non-obvious fish in this barrell... (Score:3, Insightful)
Others have already pointed out the obvious holes in your analogy. Allow me to point out some non-obvious ones.
If you lost your phone, would you also have to sign up for a new contract? By your analogy, you would also lose your phone service, and would have to get a new number, new
Comment removed (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:For those who have RTFA issues... (Score:3, Interesting)
the keygen works great for both of these too..
hell you can keygen and REGISTER a copy and even call tech support and they happily talk to you!
several people here at work have keygened home versions that MSFT can not detect because they do not have a master database of printed keys. that would be a farking nightmare, only registered keys are stored in the DB.
anyways, at work we just recieved 35 laptops with XP home on them I blew away the install for our c
Re:For those who have RTFA issues... (Score:5, Interesting)
How so? The number has to be generated and printed right? Why not just record the number at that point of generation. Considering the amount of money involved if they could stamp out piracy, theyd invest the few minutes in adding a database to the computer printing the numbers. I dont think the problem is they dont have this database. I wouldnt be surprised if in the future you do have to have a legit key. Even if its a corp key, it would have to have been issued and not randomly generated. They could then check ip ranges if they really wanted to for that key, but i doubt they would. They could quite readily fine the company that distributed that key however.
Re:For those who have RTFA issues... (Score:5, Informative)
Re:For those who have RTFA issues... (Score:3, Informative)
Re:For those who have RTFA issues... (Score:3, Insightful)
Thats true. But whats your point? Who is arguing that you need to have computer sans an OS? I think the apple heads are just pointing out that XP costs approx $180 and the new, and I dare say pretty cool, Mac-mini is going for $500. For not much more you get an OS AND a computer.
Is Apple paying all you Slashdotters who post your little "time to switch" spam
Ive read quite a bit of Linux zealots in these posts claiming its time to switch to L
Re:For those who have RTFA issues... (Score:5, Insightful)
The other reason? Meebe I'm just getting older, but I figured that MS did provide me with the OS so I can play my favorite games and relax when I get home. I use OO, even on Windows, so an office suite is taken care of. I donate money to open source projects that I use, why not to the vendor of my OS? (let the flames on that last comment begin wheee!)
Re:For those who have RTFA issues... (Score:4, Insightful)
Like you, I also donate to OSS projects that I like, and in a much larger amount than the $150ish I paid for my WinXP.
I haven't bought/don't use any other MS products at home, and really don't plan to. If, for some reason I do, I'll pay for that as well.
Re:For those who have RTFA issues... (Score:5, Interesting)
In my submission, I noted that as a computer repair tech it can be a pain to get CD keys from customers in order to reinstall their OS, and asked the readers if they thought this would really clamp down on piracy or simply cause a support nightmare for users and repair shops.
I haven't even noticed any discussions on this unfortunately. Many posts seem to be assuming that only pirated copies of XP will be affected. From the looks of things, people will have to produce their key and answer some questions for this new Windows Genuine Advantage.
Its really quite frustrating to have to pirate software because of losing the CD key I recieved X years ago. Personally, I think they should ditch keys and activation altogether - high profile software products such as Windows will always be easier to pirate than earn $150 go to the store, and buy. IMO, the only thing keys do is badger legitimate customers into "pirating" software they purchased - I've seen it happen again and again.
Re:Installfest for non-gamers (Score:3, Insightful)
Will be easy circumvented... (Score:5, Interesting)
This is just a ruse to get folks to pay less attention to the fact that the MS OS is generally less secure for most people than it should be...
Re:Will be easy circumvented... (Score:3, Interesting)
This is just a ruse to get folks to pay less attention to the fact that the MS OS is generally less secure for most people than it should be...
I would not be surprised that when this new method of getting updates from MS is up and running they start blaming the non-legal copies for the propogation of problems with MS. They will say, even if it is not completely true, that the problems began with computers that were not properly and legally updated. The average computer user will believe it because they
Re:Classic (Score:3, Insightful)
Awesome (Score:3, Interesting)
How many more people would start taking a hard look at FOSS if they couldn't get their 'free' MS products?
Re:Awesome (Score:5, Insightful)
They can still get their "free" MS products. They will continue to get their "free" MS products. Those people will just not update their systems through Windows Update. I imagine that plenty of people that paid for Windows in some form or another still don't bother to update their systems because they don't know or don't care to know.
All this is going to do is create an even more dangerous computing environment on the Internet and give more and more backing to "trusted computing".
Oh look, see, everyone pirates and the pirates are causing all the worms to propagate! Look! DRM will stop that!
This could be the big push from Win to Linux (Score:5, Insightful)
But imagine now if it's becomes a nuisance to crack everypart of the OS which phones home. People will go elsewhere... legal perhaps.... but what about the people who wont pay.
With Linux now coming of age, it seems about right that a significant market share would now drift in the direction of OpenSource operating systems.
Re:This could be the big push from Win to Linux (Score:4, Insightful)
I'm am not a M$ advocate at all. I am a heavy Linux user. But the truth is, Linux has been "coming of age" for about 3 bloody years. And in my opinion, it isn't yet ready for the home desktop.
Dunno about you, but I wouldn't like the thought of my mum (mom?) being sat in front of a Linux machine. Until Linux is ready for my mum to use, it's not ready to replace Windows.
Re:This could be the big push from Win to Linux (Score:3, Insightful)
Different strokes for different folks. I don't see why any single operating system or computer has to be used by everyone for it to have come of age, so to speak. Personally, I use Linux and Mac. I don't see any reason why the vast majority of people shouldn't switch to the beauty of OS X and the quality of Apple Hardware. Having
Two paths (Score:3, Insightful)
For people more knowledgeable and wanting to be on the cheap, Linux is ready to replace windows on hardware they already have.
It's a killer two-pronged attack. And I agree with the parent that the harder you actually make something to pirate, the more people you will shove into legitimate sofwtare - some of it will be replacing pirated copies with legal ones, but other instances will be customers jumping ship to cheaper or easier solutions.
Re:This could be the big push from Win to Linux (Score:3, Insightful)
Closer to five, I'd say. And while the desktop managers have certainly made a lot of progress in terms of eye candy, IMO they still aren't much more USABLE.
(I'm SO asking to be modded down here. Still, it's nice to see the Gnome and KDE users united about something -- their anger at ME.)
Re:This could be the big push from Win to Linux (Score:4, Insightful)
So the real question is how often maintenence is required, how easy is it to get, and how much does it cost. Microsoft has the authorized dealership model, while Linux is the backyard mechanic model. In the automotive world, the backyard mechanic model has mostly won out. Who goes to a dealership to get a hitch put on? But consumer electronics goes mostly with the dealership model: you take a fritzed Tivo to the place you bought it.
This also points up an opportunity. As linux slowly gains ground, there will be a market for full-time Linux fixers and modifiers. Like a good mechanic, once you can prove yourself as trustworthy, customers will find you through word-of-mouth.
Converting these customers to paying customers is left as an exercise for the reader.
Microsoft's Prerogative, IMHO (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Microsoft's Prerogative, IMHO (Score:3, Insightful)
Because unpatched machines (licensed or not) affect those that do pay Microsoft - their customers. Which is pretty much everyone.
Re:Microsoft's Prerogative, IMHO (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Microsoft's Prerogative, IMHO (Score:3, Insightful)
To analogize: Security is something that all people need and is sorely lacking in Microsoft products, and money is how Microsoft is milking their monopoly. That's like going in to vote, and getting arrested for unpaid parking tickets.
Windows desperately needs the security, and it is a sore spot how quickly an unpatched box will be taken over without constant updates. Anything that might reduce the severely lacking security is an affr
Re:Microsoft's Prerogative, IMHO (Score:3, Insightful)
Unlike Microsoft, viruses, spyware, and other forms of malware don't check for Genuine Advantage.
Re:Microsoft's Prerogative, IMHO (Score:3, Interesting)
How long until it happens?
No doubt Microsoft are currently (secretly) working on the opposite, a BSOD exploit that only targets illegal copies.
Re:Microsoft's Prerogative, IMHO (Score:3, Insightful)
So what do they do? Run the OS that came on their dell for a few years longer maybe. maybe you'll see some more linux uptake at the fringes. Apple showed us you can have a
Not good (Score:5, Interesting)
So, under Microsoft's new model, we wouldn't have been able to fix those machines, because as soon as we let them on the internet to "validate" their copy of Windows and download the patch, they would have been reinfected and rebooted. Lame.
Corporate users (Score:4, Insightful)
There's no way they'll alienate all of their corporate customers. Updates will still be available as separate downloads or on CD.
Re:Not good (Score:3, Informative)
Set up a segment behind a router that only permits packets from Microsoft's IP range. Un-patched systems go there to get patched before being permitted online.
Re:How is this any different? (Score:3, Insightful)
The only machines that can be patched this way are machines vulnerable without the patch. If a vulnerability that can be exploited in less time than the verification takes (let alone downloading the patch) you can effectively have a machine you cannot ever use on the net.
You do realizes it's possible to download software for one machine running one o.s.
Smart move. (Score:4, Insightful)
A problem for all Windows users. (Score:3, Insightful)
And then every one on the internet will have a problem when the net is flooded with spam from unpatched zombies.
Or we can hope that people will switch to something some people consider a better OS when they no longer get updates from MS.
Linux Uptake (Score:5, Insightful)
Short term revenue gain, long term loss.
Re:Linux Uptake (Score:3, Insightful)
Don't you mean:
"Governor Ballmer, the more you tighten your grip, the more systems will slip through your fingers."
Sorry, couldn't resist.
I'm interested (Score:3, Interesting)
I'm still steaming from all the times I've purchased machines to run Linux, yet been forced to buy the OEM Windows license along with it.
And before anyone mentions building a box yourself, that just causes a hassle when it comes to warranties (I want a name brand machine that I can take back if something breaks in its hardware), and companies that allow you to purchase the machine without an OS are virtually nonexistant in my area.
So given that I've been forced to buy a Windows license with every PC I own (whether I use it or not), I'm not sure how it's possible that there's that many pirate copies out there.
Comment removed (Score:4, Insightful)
They've been doing this since 2002 in a way (Score:5, Interesting)
This is reproducible with any XP volume licenced CD using that serial so bad media can be ruled out
Re:They've been doing this since 2002 in a way (Score:3, Informative)
Their legit-check doesn't work. (Score:4, Insightful)
I sure hope they think this policy out before implementing it. As a sysadmin of a small business network, I sure as hell hope that nothing goes wrong with our volume licensed copies.
In the immortal works of Han Solo, "I have a really bad feeling about this..."
This won't push people to Linux (Score:5, Insightful)
With Linux, on the other hand, most people wouldn't have any idea whether or not they would be able to use the software they want, let alone how to get it even if it did exist for Linux.
Sinister Hacker (Score:5, Interesting)
stored in the registry builds a little one liner that inserts a known comprimised key. You know ms is gonna check for this.
The result is a ton of instantly owned machines since they are unable to install security updates.......brilliant plan
That being said I hope they enforce their licensing pirates are slowing the uptake of Linux, it hurts everyone.
Bad For Security (Score:5, Insightful)
I remember reading a Crypto-Gram article on this a while back. Here's some great, relevant commentary from Schneier. The original link is http://www.schneier.com/crypto-gram-0406.html#4 [schneier.com].
The security of your computer and your network depends on two things: what you do to secure your computer and network, and what everyone else does to secure their computers and networks. It's not enough for you to maintain a secure network. If everybody else doesn't maintain their security, we're all more vulnerable to attack. When there are lots of insecure computers connected to the Internet, worms spread faster and more extensively, distributed denial-of-service attacks are easier to launch, and spammers have more platforms from which to send e-mail. The more insecure the average computer on the Internet is, the more insecure your computer is.
It's like malaria: everyone is safer when we all work together to drain the swamps and increase the level of hygiene in our community.
This is the backdrop from which to understand Microsoft's Windows XP security upgrade: Service Pack 2. SP2 is a major security upgrade. It includes features like Windows Firewall, an enhanced personal firewall that is turned on by default, and a better automatic patching feature. It includes a bunch of small security improvements. It makes Windows XP more secure.
In early May, stories were written saying that Microsoft would make this upgrade available to all XP users, both licensed and unlicensed. To me, this was a very smart move on Microsoft's part. Think about all the ways it benefits Microsoft. One, its licensed users are more secure. Two, its licensed users are happier. Three, worms that attack Microsoft products are less virulent, which means Microsoft doesn't look as bad in the press. Microsoft wins, Microsoft's customers win, the Internet wins. It's the kind of marketing move that businessmen write best-selling books about.
Sadly, the press was wrong. Soon after, Microsoft said the initial comments were wrong, and that SP2 would not run on pirated copies of XP. Those copies would not be upgradeable, and would remain insecure. Only legal copies of the software could be secured.
This is the wrong decision, for all the same reasons that the opposite decision was the correct one.
Of course, Microsoft is within its rights to deny service to those who have pirated its products. It makes sense for them to make sure performance or feature upgrades do not run on pirated software. They want to deny people who haven't paid for Microsoft products the benefit of them, and entice them to become licensed users. But security upgrades are different. Microsoft is harming its licensed users by denying security to its unlicensed users.
This decision, more than anything else Microsoft has said or done in the last few years, proves to me that security is not the first priority of the company. Here was a chance to do the right thing: to put security ahead of profits. Here was a chance to look good in the press, and improve security for all their users worldwide. Microsoft claims that improving security is the most important thing, but their actions prove otherwise.
SP2 is an important security upgrade to Windows XP, and I hope it is widely installed among licensed XP users. I also hope it is quickly pirated, so unlicensed XP users can also install it. In order for me to remain secure on the Internet, I need everyone to become more secure. And the more people who install SP2, the more we all benefit.
Re:Bad For Security (Score:3, Informative)
I wouldn't complain about Microsoft not offering functionality updates to non-licensed users. If you didn't buy MS-Office 2000, there's no reason at all M$ should let you have a freek copy of M$O 2003. That's bad business.
But if I have a pirated copy of Windows which has been hacked and is now a zombie machine sending out thousands and thousands of porn spam to, say, you, are you still going to praise Microsoft for not offering security upgrades to
Activate Windows XP (Score:5, Interesting)
So last night I was playing Wow for a while and the performance in Orgrimmar was pretty bad. I figured I'd up the ram in my main maachine to fix the problem.
Pulled the ram from another machine, dropped it in and rebooted windows. Windows XP then informed me I had made substantial changes to the machine since I installed XP Pro on it and told me I had to re-activate it.
If this causes me, at a future date, to have issues because another minor change triggers the Activate windows, and it fails for some reason and I can't get security updates I am going to sue their ass.
Thankfully I have a Mac.
(If I had Priated XP I wouldn't even have this concern. I'm sick of being treated like shit after spending a few hundred on stuff.)
Re:Activate Windows XP (Score:3, Interesting)
Yes, framerates in D3D mode are somewhat less. (Probably 20-30% slower)
OpenGL mode, however, is just as fast, and transgaming has identified the problem with using the minimap indoors.
All the pixel shader effects are supported, by the way.
I've heard people get crash to desktops in WoW. Or have other sorts of stability problems.
Other than the aforementioned minimap issue, which had been a known issuse by transgaming for awhile now, WoW has been 100% rock solid on my system (I.E. absolut
Tell me again... (Score:3, Informative)
"Users of pirated copies of Windows will still be able get some updates, such as security patches, but will not be able to get other add-ons for Windows, the Redmond, Wash.-based company said in a statement."
So, tell me again how this is a bad thing? Don't we already bitch about the useless crap M$ dumps on computers?
Pissed-off Pirates Here (Score:3, Insightful)
Just an observation....
Crap... my knoppix hack for updating windows gone. (Score:3, Interesting)
I wonder if we're still going to be able to get access to Technet articles?
Haxors will LOOOOVE this! (Score:3, Interesting)
It sure beats MS enforcing Windows being legal when you try to actually INSTALL windows. Why, if they did that, the world would be devoid of pirated Windows...just legit, secure Windows. And a few Linux machines here 'n there.
Obviously MS prefers that there be lots of insecure pirated Windows boxes out there. I wonder why...
Get the pirates to switch to Linux already (Score:3, Funny)
It would sure make my job easier as a consultant. If I had a license fee's worth for every pirated installation of Windows XP I've refused to support... "OK I need to replace this file, where's your XP CD-ROM?" "What XP CD-ROM?"
Excellent (Score:3, Insightful)
"Well, there wouldn't be so many worms and exploits out there if it wasn't for those damned pirates."
"Sorry dear customer, due to all those evil pirates, you got infected by a worm."
"It wasn't our software, it was the pirates."
Obligatory Monty Python Reference (Score:5, Funny)
Microsoft: What is your name!
Me: Stephen
Microsoft: What is yur quest!
Me: I seek the Security Patches!
Microsoft: What is your product Key?
Me: Uh, I don't know that Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.
Re:What happens... (Score:3, Insightful)
basically that's it.
Re:What happens... (Score:3, Interesting)
That may change in the future, however.
The reality is that almost no other commercial software vendor will provide you with updates if you aren't current on maintenance, let alone pirated the software in the first place.
Jerry
http://www.syslog.org/ [syslog.org]
Re:What happens... (Score:4, Interesting)
The reality is that Microsoft Windows is installed on 90% of the machines out there. The reality is that regardless of how the software was aquired it is likely to be vunerable to worms, trojans, etc. The reality is that Microsoft is going to continue to look mighty bad when worms and trojans slam 90% of the computers out there.
After a while the "oh, well, the pirates shouldn't have pirated the OS and then they could have gotten our updates that came 6 months after the worm started" gets old and people don't care anymore.
As I have said before this is the situation that they want to occur as it makes all the more sense to place DRM restrictions on their OS and programs that will run on the OS/hardware.
Re:What happens... (Score:3, Insightful)
As a result, 40% of Windows installations are pirated (could be even higher in some countries)
Re:What happens... (Score:3, Insightful)
1) People will get infected with worms, trojans, etc because of Windows security flaws. Because they can't update anymore (potentially), they'll run out and buy a legit copy of windows for $150-$200.
or
2) People will get infected with worms, trojans, etc because of Windows security flaws. They'll say "who cares if my box sends spam or transmits worms, I'm not spending a dime" and just let their box be infected so long as they can keep using it. Spammers and such
Re:What happens... (Score:3, Insightful)
I guess that would be a save bet since scenario #2 is already happening, even without the new anti-piracy measures. I've seen (licenced) windows systems where the "new updates ready to be installed" icon in the systray had been ignored for over half a year...
Re:What happens... (Score:5, Insightful)
I think they'd probably have done a lot better if the next version of DirectX can't install on a illegal version of windows, people generally don't give much of a damn if they can't get security patches, if they can't get the latest game to work however the'll be pissed.
Re:What happens... (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:What happens... (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:What counts as "pirated"? (Score:5, Interesting)
Yes, because now you don't buy software. You lease it. >:(
Re:What counts as "pirated"? (Score:3, Informative)
Relevant part of the EULA (Score:3, Informative)
* Software as a Component of the Computer - Transfer. THIS LICENSE MAY NOT BE SHARED, TRANSFERRED TO OR USED CONCURRENTLY ON DIFFERENT COMPUTERS. The SOFTWARE is licensed with the COMPUTER as a single integrated product and may only be used with the COMPUTER. If the SOFTWARE is not accompanied by HARDWARE, you may not use the SOFTWARE. You may permanently transfer all of your rights under this EULA only as part of a permanent sale or transfer of the COMPUTER,
Re:What counts as "pirated"? (Score:3, Informative)
The full price bend-over-and-be-reamed retail version can be transferred to another PC if you scrub it from the first one. I do warn people about this when I build systems for them and give them the option of OEM or retail versions (they all pick OEM).
Re:What counts as "pirated"? (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:What counts as "pirated"? (Score:3, Interesting)
If you break out the costs, a new XP shrink-wrap license is around $299 for the pro version. You only really pay around $65-$85 for the OEM version.
If you buy the full one, feel free to use it wherever you want.
> What makes them believe they have the authority to make such restrictions in the first place?
It's their software, they set the term
Re:Pirated means.... (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:OK - That Does It... (Score:3, Insightful)
What's holding you back? Go for it! Just remember to get the 512M upgrade - Apple should be ashamed for even offering a 256M option.
Re:OK - That Does It... (Score:4, Insightful)
I prefer SuSE. Oh, and updates are cake. The included auto-updater asks if you like to turn on auto-updates, and if not, would you please regularly run the updater.
A: Install for the OS.
SuSE has the slickest installer I've seen, Operating System wise. From Bootup to Desktop, everything is graphical. Most hardware is auto-detecting. Hardware which includes difficult to distribute drivers, such the NVIDIA drivers, or various WLAN card drivers, are automatically pulled from the internet after first bootup (using the Auto-Updater). SuSE create a WIDE variety of packages, including all kinds of neat software like Main Actor (Non-linear video editing), and a well integrated OpenOffice.org (looks like KDE). All of this is done via a very easy click through GUI.
Excellent, incredible documentation, too, especially if you buy the box set (~$70.00). The installer book (Yes, installation has its OWN manual) covers everything from fairly easyish topics (What is Hard disk partitioning? How to I set my Windows to bootup by default? etc etc . .
Feel free to burn a copy of the CDs/DVDs from your friend, though. YaST, the only previously NON-FREE part of the installer, was freely licensed last year. Now, its legal to distribute the CDs/DVDs, as far as I know, as well as install one $70.00 copy on as many systems as you like.
B: Installing software once your OS is up and running.
As long as SuSE rpms are avaliable.
1. Download package (.rpm).
2. Click on package.
3. Dialog pops up. "This action require root access. Please type your root password".
4. Type root password.
5. Watch bar go across screen. Either YaST will say "Dependencies needed, please insert disc (1-5) of your installation discs), or "Installation Complete".
6. Done.
Many projections now release SuSE packages in addition to Debian/Fedora packages. Don't be too afraid to use a SuSE package for 9.1, most of those should work with 9.2. Anything earlier, however, will have to probably be compiled from source. Before you do this, however, MAKE SURE YOU LOOK at the installation media. I CANNOT stress how often I went through the trouble of installing something from source before I realized that although it may not be avaliable from the Sourceforge project page, a SuSE RPM with updates was avaliable on my installation media.
Re:As a legal owner of a copy of WinXP (Score:5, Insightful)
It's not a question of whether it's "right" or not. Fact is that there is a tremendous number of pirated Windows copies out there. These will be far more vulnerable than they are now; the result of this will initially be to hurt their owners, but in the end, everyone suffers due to an explosion of botnets/DDoS/spam gateways, etc. etc. etc.
I am even inclined to believe that even semi-clued kiddies will not be unduly affected by this because, as another poster pointed out, obtaining an illicit collection of updates probably won't be tremendously difficult.
Re:As a legal owner of a copy of WinXP (Score:3, Insightful)
They have two: Xbox and XP Home. They even bundle a computer with the Xbox version.
I say it's good.
You're obviously not in IT... if you were you'd be screaming. Restricted security updates means more virus seeds and faster virus distribution.
Re:Which is the pirated copy?? Activation? (Score:4, Informative)
So, your second copy shouldn't activate since that key is already assigned to the fingerprint of the first machine.
Here is some info I found, a while ago...
10 hardware characteristics (12 points) are used to determine the Windows XP hardware activation hash:
points item
1 Display Adapter
1 SCSI Adapter
1 IDE Adapter
3 Network Adapter MAC Address
1 RAM Amount Range (i.e. 0-64mb, 64-128mb, etc)
1 Processor Type
1 Processor Serial Number
1 Hard Drive Device
1 Hard Drive Volume Serial Number
1 CD-ROM / CD-RW / DVD-ROM.
For activation to remain valid 7 points must remain the same.