Everyone with a sense of fairness would agree that MicroSoft (or any other company for that matter) has the right to set the price and terms of usage of their products.
Most people use a valid license for their OS any way so I don't think that's such a huge problem.
Whilst I will agree that some form of validation should be made available, one should not lose sight of the general "philosophy" behind Windows - that it should be a transparent OS.
When making chnages or reverting to a previous version for whatever reason should be just as "transparent" for the end user. This aspect should be allowed for in future generations of this software.

Those "non-genuine" Windows users have the ability to acquire any software updates needed, via tapping into the same resource used to obtain the improper license in the first place. It must be stressed that these power users have developed immunity to any license validation implementations.

Microsoft should just realize that it's making it harder for the honest person; these are the ones complaining and crying out for help.

You know, I built my own system about two and a half years ago. First I had to pay around $149.00 for Windows XP, then I had to enter a 25 digit key to install Windows, after all of that I had to “Activate” Windows. Okay fine so far but wait! There’s more!!

I after I got everything like I wanted it, I used Norton Ghost to make a backup and a little over a year and a half later I used it to restore my system it was a great timesaver. I replaced a network card, upgraded my video and sound card during that 18 months so guess what? Yes I had to “Re-activate” Windows yet again!

So now I read that in addition to being bought, paid for, activated, and re-activated, my operating must be “validated”!! Woo Hoo!!!

I really understand Microsoft’s need to curb piracy, but they are really becoming a pain in the A$$ when you must Activate, Re-Activate, Validate, and Verify your FU#$ING OS every time you change a few components, or now God forbid want to do a Windows update!!

I really wish more software where being developed for Linux, it seems Microsoft itself is doing more than Red Hat and others could ever do to drive users towards it.

i guess when a cadillac is stolen, the dealer shouldn't use onstar to track it down

My dealer doesn’t use On-Star to call me every single day, asking if they “sold the Cadillac to me or did I steal it?” either.

One word,

Linux,Linux,Linux,Linux,Linux,Linux,Linux,Linux.

Not until we get a linux distro comes that's as user friendly as windows. You MUST think of the typical user here. Suse 9.2 is the closest thing we have to that right now imo.

I agree, I'll say again what I said here 2 years ago (give or take a year :-P)

There needs to be a drivers license program for PC's you can't buy one, or drive one if you don't have one.

Here is a problem.
Preinstalled xp systems may not validate because some manufactures use a volume license key to install them on all their computers. However, the key on the back or bottom of the machine should work.

I agree that version of SUSE comes very close, plus ti even supports the rarely supported/seen Cisco wireless cards (4800 and 350), though does take knowing something to "accidently" hack the drivers into place.

People pirate Microsoft's software because it's so damn expensive. The price for the OS used to be reasonable, but not anymore.

For instance; When you go to Dell to buy a PC, it comes with WinXP Home Edition & MS Works. If you want the much better WinXP Pro. & the real MS Office suite, you could add well over $500 to the price. Therefore, a Dell that's advertised for $599 will actually cost you over a grand.

Another gripe I have with Micro$oft is; They are to busy coming out with a "new" windows, rather than making the current one more stable.

You need to learn how to use the OS to make it stable. You can still burn your toast in a toaster if you don't know how to use it.

dont you mean you can burn bread in a toaster?

YES! I even say Windows 3.1 orginal wrapped in the box for $250,000 on eBay! lol

lol

Just like Activation this too will be by-passed with ease.

I agree with you. Somebody is going to find away to get around that.

Just as what said in the opening there are many countries in the world where people, students just can't afford to buy Windows. An average salary here in Bali for example is around the 550.000 Rupiah a month say 50 Euro's. So how would it be possible for people to buy a software package like Windows? Not even talking about the students who have to rely on their parents income/salary and so on. And what is piracy anyway? It is already hard to find here any official software package in the stores, I never seen one actually it is all copies, yes even the branded stores and shopping malls are just selling copies, no problem at all and believe there is no governmetn who will step in to remove all the pirated software! They can't as people will protest here. Microsoft knows about this problem of course and I guess closing their eyes for this as long if it keeps on this low level, what else could they do? Security patches or updates or any other will be available in no time here. Mostly 1 or 2 days after reslease you will find it here in the shops. I follow the software market very well you see and believe me, any new release today will be available tomorrow in all the shops here in Bali. Besides it is very easy to download software from the Internet, a search on Google for a serial number or patch and there you go...!
It is just a matter indeed of being willing to drop prices, it is possible for sure. I think also that it wouldn't be a big hassle for MS anyway, still the pirated market is also a market to beta test your software to see what is going on out there. Marketing wise they have their things at the right place I think besides of a Mc Donalds there is no other company who knows their market so well! No of course MS wouldn't block all the update patches as it would be a cut in their own fingers, imagine the wild grow of viruses, trojan horses etc. So sure they have to protect themselfs otherwise the whole world would point even more fingers to them and aacusing them for having unstable non protected software...

;-) Mario Bali Indonesia.

All the arguements about not having enough money to buy the software or it's too expensive simply have not merit. If you can't afford a luxury car you by an economy car. Don't think you have to run windows to get on the internet. Linux is free and you can do every thing a window user can except run the pirated versions of windows games or other applications.
Don't cry about cost and justify it by saying theft is legal or moral. If you buy software that is a copy, and you know it, then you are stealing. Microsoft has every right to deny services to people that steal from them. You can still run the stolen software, but you just can't get any additional features.
By the way, do you mind if I borrow your television? I can't afford one right now but I want to watch Survivor.

I have a legit copy of XP Home Ed. I just said that things like activation are a waste of time because it does absolutely nothing since it can be by-passed so easily and is an annoyance to those who change their components a lot.

As for my television, no you can't borrow it, but you can make a copy if you like. :-)

Mr Llama_tamer you still don't get it I guess. Linux wonderful but didn't make it to the consumer market in Asia I'm affraid so, same as Apple, they wouldn't get a real dollar business in some countries here in Asia as it is just far to expensive made for the elite. Mr. Llama_tamer you should spend some more money on traveling the world, knowing what's going on at the other side of our globe. So why can i buy a sony dvd player here for les then 30 Euro but the same model 199 Euro back in Europe? Now tell me? I am sorry for the Linux fans, it is a great OS but it just didn't make it to the big consumer market sure not in Asia. I suppose your not spending one penny for donations for those who need it anywhere else in the world, otherwise you would give away indeed your TV to a poor one who has the same rights to learn something about this world and what is going on out there same as you do! Didn't you wish one day to have your own TV set? Wasn't your first TV Set given by your parents to watch TV at your room? Maybe not but you know damn well where I come from uh? This poor one has the same rights to use the MS OS to keep going and to educate him or herself to have a better future! MS did set the standard with MS OS world wide. Now it also has the responsibility to give anyone in the world the right to use it! Mr. Bill Gates your giving away lot's of money for chairity, your actually the biggest giver in the world right now. You just gave away another amount of money to help the poor, the sick... Now you also have the duty to make MS affordoble for those to educate themselfs. You did set the standard at the OS market so now take the responsibilty out of that! And who knows maybe you did already think about it.... as why else should you donate the poor? Donating is also giving the right to use your OS! Or am I wrong now?

;-) Mario Bali

Why do you think that in some countries piracy rules?

I will explain it simple: Because windows xp costs 1 month's salary in that country. That is why south america is all pirate, china is almost all pirate, and i can continue naming countries all arround the globe where piracy is the ONLY choice, where people are not as rich as you are, where people dont get their plasma tvs, or where they cannot pay for cablemodem internet access, or where they cant buy an apple mp3 player like you all AMERICANS.

Dont talk to me about that bull.s*** about "if everybody pays the price of windows xp will drop"

that is a LIE, im old enough to see the lie, Microsoft needs big ammounts of money because it is one of the biggest firms in the world and it is a monopoly. They will charge the price that they want to charge because in some cases they got your balls.

Even in the case that someone pays for windows, it sucks, so many security holes that after you install it you have to update it fast because you might have a virus or whatever after installation.

Microsoft will suffer this. More people will turn to other OS, wich is something better because as more people use other OS... more and better appications.

If Mac would make a software suite that would run on a Windows made machine (and I'm not talking about making it so only 1/2 of the hardware works, or having something dual boot. I'm talking something as nice as XP that I can pop in and go), then I'd switch, but I'm not going anywhere anytime soon. Windows has me hooked (well, until I get a new computer. If I'm in the market for a laptop I'm going mac, but as far as right now? I A: Can't afford anything different, and B: I can't just dump my whole system and go to an OS that has no interoperability with Windows / can't run 3/4 or any windows files or programs)

I find what Xecuter2lite wrote is ridiculous. NOT ALL Americans can afford the things he claims. I know because I am one of them. Please stop trying to make excuses of why it's ok to use pirated software. Can't afford XP, then use something else. It's simple. Linux is free. I have XP Pro, and I paid for it. It took some time to get the money for it, so I just used windows 98 till I had the money for it. In a few months Windows XP64 will be out, so maybe Xecuter2lite should start saving now.

Stop your WHINING! Poor me, BOO-HOO!

yes, so they will stop pirated copies from getting updates, as well as improperly applied lic's.
and yes, if you pirated the copy and know you did, then no debate.
If you purchased the copy, and it's fake,well... at least they will give you a discount.

"$450 USD worth of offers including trial software, discounts for the MSN Games Zone and Office Outlook Live, Winter Fun Pack 2004, and much more"
doesn't sound like anything anyone will really need.

i sense though that this will be hacked, or serciumvented (sp?). I also think that this may cuase some exploits and viruses from people mad at MS. I can see this being
a real hassle for legit users, and a minor nusience for pirates.

as an IT helpdesk guy, i can see the calls and questions coming my way. *shrug*

So what about enterprise licenses? My university has an enterprise license with Microsoft so the students get a "free" copy of MS Office, Visual Studio, Windows XP, etc. We all use the same serial number, so what would stop someone from using one of these serials? Our software is legal, since the money for the contract with Microsoft is coming out of our technology fees. Seems like the program needs some thought before they can start denying people access. Someone with an illegitimate copy will find a means of getting access to these updates.

And on the side note, even though I can get the newest Microsoft applications for free, my computer is still dual boot with Linux. Cost isn't the issue.... stability is.

Sounds like you have a corportate key. If so, then you should have no problems validating. As far as your jab about stability, I will bite my tounge and refrain from what would be sure to start an argument that would no doubt end in flaming.

These days a PC is cheaper than the OS....... (not bundled together) Until OS's and applications become realistically priced I'll continue to obtain 'pirate' versions of any software I like.
Its called consumer resistance. Time fo all to rebel against the prices charged, especially when for example MS sells XP cheaper to certain countries etc........

It's called stealing.......it's people like you who keep software prices as high as they are.

And its prices as high as that that keep pirates around. Face it, it is a continuous loop. Plus, I dont see MS going bankrupt anytime soon because of pirates, so what's the excuse for high prices now? Maybe it helps pay for all the legal issues MS has.

Hardly. Greed is the reason why it is high. M$ oftware was always too high. I remember back in the old DOS days before Pirating truly took off I had seen a piece of M$ software which cost over $600 when you could have gotten something simular elsewhere for a lot less. And how about Word Perfect. It was in the 100s of dollars long ago as well.

"It's called stealing.......it's people like you who keep software prices as high as they are. "
--------------------

Actually its the other way around. Microsoft is stealing from us. They have already been found guilty in two seperate states for overcharging customers. That is stealing.

It's funny how time changes our recall of the facts. Back in the DOS days Microsoft had very few applications except DOS. At that time IBM was charging nearly $600 for a 10 MB hard drive for a PS/2. We all had stunning CGA graphics and for our home machine while the office machines where still your choice of amber or green.

My first PC was an EPSON XT with an amber screen (CGA emulation), with two 5.25" drives, a 300 baud modem, 640k RAM, and an 8086 4.77 MHz CPU.

Wow!!! a 300 baud modem? I thought only 180 baud modem's were out then...and as Bill himself once said, no one will ever need more than 640K of RAM :)

No, that is called being a good capitalist. :-) It's not M$' fault if people are stupid enough to overpay for their stuff. Like I had said in another thread, most people with a system are idiots. They only get one because someone else has one and they never really bother to learn how to properly use them.

BTW, I got a big discount on my copy of XP Home Ed. :-)

It was during the mid 80's just after I got out of high school. Soon after that I upgraded to a 2400 baud modem, that is what the local BBSes were at as well. BTW, before I got the PC I had a C128 with a 300 baud as well, but you had to dial manually and when you heard the carrier you had to flip a switch on the modem to connect. :-)

Say an attempt is made to update your windows via windows update, and it determines that its invalid. Does it lock windows completely or just deny you the updates?

Beneath your desk, back on the wall, a door opens up, a small guy comes out with a low powered BB gun, bags your sac. Low powered, but you will cry.

Switching to a new OS is not the answer. If you want to switch, fine. But if you are using unlicensed software, don't be a cheap bas****, just pay for it. It wasn't free to develop or distribute. Linux will be charging for their OS, once it becomes more prevalent. Redhat is already charging.. Free comes at a price. You get what you PAY for.

MS started out just like Linux, an experimental open source idea...The users demanded more use and more functionality, which became a success, and therefore a business. I download "free" hacked games myself, so I am not innocent myself, but don't b**** about it when they block your a** from getting a free ride. If you don't like the MS OS, quit using it!

20 years from now, there will be another king of the OS world, and I promise you, Linux will be nothing more than a memory by then.

"Redhat is already charging.. Free comes at a price. You get what you PAY for."

Redhat has always been charging, along with the others. but you could and still can download a free version, which is a lot more than what you get in windows. Getting what you pay for: for a couple hours and some blank disks, you can have Linux. If you were talking about money, sure, you could spend money on GNU/Linux and get documentations too.

"20 years from now, there will be another king of the OS world, and I promise you, Linux will be nothing more than a memory."

What makes you think that? do you know something we dont? Linux was started in 1991, so it's still pretty new, and is greatly growing. They are actually on top of technology. How long will it take Windows to support 64 bit processors, for example? I'm ordering a 64 bit for my Linux box. To tell you the truth, I am new to GNU/Linux, and have grown to become just as dependant on it as windows.

Anybody interesting in seeing what Linux is like, but doesn't want to install it right away or is unconfident about installing, I suggest you give Knoppix a try: http://www.knoppix.org/ You just burn the .iso to cd, and boot your computer with the cd in the cd drive. It will load up linux without installing anything or making changes to your puter.

No it didn't It was for profit from the start. There was no such thing as Open Source back then when it came to business.

I have been around the computer world for more years than most - many my age who were in "on the ground floor" as it were, simply burned out after time or grew tired and hid away in their secret worlds. I am one of the few out there who maintain an effort for truth in history. These are truths:

[1] - Microsoft stole dos (a few bux for software known to be worth tons more over a few beers is indeed thieft)

[2] - Microsoft became the monopoly it is now due to many reasons, none of them good - including but not limited to flooding the market with copies of windows they later hollered about as being pirated; unscrupulous clauses in windows licensing; hacking and other unscrupulous acts at the bequest of bill gates

[3] - People DONT get what they pay for. case in point, I have real experience in operating a computer community simular to the net that pre-existed the net called a BBS. the service was free, seldom did people come to the service, I charged $xx for the service and for years only had 10 subscribers, then I charged several hundred dollars for the service and in one week accumulated over 500 new customers. what changeed in the service and what was offered during this time? nothing except the price. It was people who had the moronic thought that the more you paid the more you got that fell in line like the mindless lemmings they are that kept up the idiotic idea that "you get what you pay for"

[4] - *nix was around a long time before windows and will be around long after windows is just a silly memory on one paragraph in the history books.

Microsoft doesnt care about piracy. they dont care about how many people out there run their software illegally. Microsoft was is and will always be about control. They speak and the world stops to listen.. why? because they are the great and mighty monopoly

Is all one really needs anyway, who could ask for mor? Plus it would make MS look bad when that 36% of windows users had problems due to lack of updates. At least they aren't suing their users, like RIAA is.

I've decided to take a couple Linux classes, and I like it. It's hard to almost learn an operating system over again, but the more I learn, the more I like.

"improperly licensed copies of Windows"

Improperly licensed? Haha!

Hey guys, just the other day I was watching TV when I saw footage of a bank robbery. It turns out the robber got away with over $1 million in improperly acquired funds. Funny story.

Anways, I'm getting hungry, I think maybe I'll go down to my local super market and get myself some improperly purchased grocercies. Who knows, I might just get decide to hold up that zit-faced teen cashier and improperly take some benjamins from the register.

Linux.

Think about it, DON'T steal!

I still don't think Linux is easy enough to use. Even the fact that windows is visually pleasing helps the product.

Nothing against Linux, I love the idea of Linux.

Let the Chinese have Linux. They're going to make a pirate proof closed source spinoff of Linux (at least key parts). Next, they'll execute Torvalds Gates and Stallman for good measure. Finally the PRC will announce the world's new OS and how vastly superior it is to the old Linux and Windows while beating their chests on rostrum in Tianammen Square. My 8-ball say 2011 for the target date.

Microsoft eventually posts all downloads in their download center. You could just download it with a legit copy and transfer it over to anyone who wants. Also, fire-sharing hubs like limewire, duh.

And I agree that they should give away free older versions such as 95, 98, 98se, and even that stupid ME. They almost cause more problems then they are worth anyway,

"And I agree that they should give away free older versions such as 95, 98, 98se, and even that stupid ME. They almost cause more problems then they are worth anyway"

THAT is exactly why MS does not give them away! Also if they did people would only buy XP "upgrades" and not the full versions. Back to the subject of the article--as long as MS allows some way to easily remedy situations where well meaning people buy a computer that has a pirated Windows version, this is fine by me. However, I doubt it could ever be easy...I know! Have MS force the jerks who sold the pirated copy buy a new license for the customer (if everything were only that simple)

Finding the individual updates (that is if MS provides during this new program OR if you can find it locally on your machine) from a trusted source is the keyword. Anything from a file sharing community network has its risks. Antivirus products are not going to protect you from everything.

Does anyone else find this a bit strange that MS is considering helping the people who have the pirated OS? Why even provide them with support?

Besides the point: I remember when Win XP first came out. There was a rumor that you would not be able to access the updates with a pirated copy. My how that was wrong.

- John

Microsoft has been toying with the idea since Windows 98 and the first iteration of Windows Update. But when each OS was finally released, they decided to forego the hassle and just let anyone access the updates. Now they will provide critical updates, but that's it.

many illegal XP keys werent allowed to install SP1

If you legally acquire your software... then there is no problem, plain and simple.

If you steal software, tough luck.

me hugs msdn :)

i cant say im opposed to all piracy but if there is 1 thing you are going to buy it should be your operating system (provided you are using one that isnt free)

Yet another reason to switch to Linux.

Moves like this will effect the legitimate user more then the pirate, just like most anti-piracy schemes. I remeber a beta of SP2 locking me out of my LEGITIMATE XP install for having a "suspect serial".

If pirates want to steal the software, they will.

The only moves that will curb piracy are lowering prices and offering older products for free or for highly discounted prices. And this isn't just Microsoft I'm talking about. I've seen MacOS 9 for sale for the same price as OS X. Just like how Windows 2000 and ME sell for the same price as XP. What gives? I'd be willing to bet piracy would drop if MS offered a free download of 98SE or if Apple offered a free download of OS9.

Quite agree if MS or Apple offered free downloads of their older OS's they would curb priate copies and on the plus side retain themslves some future business when those customers want to up grade!

Neil Spinney
www.microathome.biz

Strongly agree.

Since MS has said they will not support 98 anymore, why not give it out for free.

Some poor people get to make some use out of it.

They would have to transfer the risk first. Any such release would have to more than likely required shared or open source licensing.

More people would use Linux if you could get it to work more than only 10% of the time. I am talking about getting it to install correctly. I am in IT and I have many friends, we have all tried several versions of Linux and only one of us will use it. and only about 5 of us were able to get it to work for longer than one day. The GUI are all bugged so bad that the kernel can't even keep it in check. I think Mandrake was the best. Or was it SUSE 9.2. That is why MOST people use MS Windows.

They do not care the interest of legal customers, but only their own. They are trying to make you totally dependent. How good the old clean times of Windows SE! The computer was really yours. I think this is a bad policy. It is legal, but computers are now essential in life, not a children's game and it makes you feel as being a slave and tired of that slavery.

Dunno what you're talking about. Not only can I get Linux/SuSE/Mandrake/RedHeat/Lindows/Linspire to install correctly, but they run like diesel engines. For most of these...esp Linspire/Lindows, I never even had to install drivers. It automatically installed *all* hardware. Not to mention the 'Click-N-Run' software warehouse provided by Linspire...amazing. Pay $49 for the OS and you can get access to it for 1 whole year to download ANY software listed on CNR for free. If you want an alternative, I'd go for Linspire.

You probably shouldn't be in IT. ;-)

Because Windows 98 does not work properly if there is more than 1,000MB of RAM, or 1.96GHz or faster processors, has correctable yet gruesome "issues" with SATA hard drives, and has no new driver support from 99% of all hardware vendors. Yes, there are ways to get Windows 98SE to work on a 2.4GHz machine with SATA RAID and 2GB of RAM (I have--trust me I'm never wasting two weeks of my life on that again!), but you have to modify the registry, system.ini, win.ini, config.sys, and in some cases use a modified msdos.sys file for it to work. Oh, and make all those changes in DOS mode since Windows won't even load all the way. Ever tried installing Windows 98 or even NT 4 on a new system? Nearly impossible. Sure ms could fix those problems and release Windows 98 third edition--BUT THAT'S THE WHOLE POINT! MS has been trying to break away from Windows 98 since 2002, and they don't want to deal with all this nonsense. (yeah, yeah, all the more reason to use Linux. Whatever.)

While the DO care about their customers, they also are a business. As such, they should be paid for their product. I can't think of any business that does not charge for their products/services in some fasion. They have to have some revenue to be able to stay open. I agree, computers are essential. Being essential does not mean it should be free. Aren't things like food, clothing, shelter, etc also essential? I think it is safe to assume that you pay for those do you not? I am tired of people always ragging on Microsoft for being a big a bad corporate entity. They are a business, and they run their business well. People may not like how they do business, but perhaps people's jealousy of Microsoft's success is why they always are complaining about them.

Perhaps it's not, some people don't care that companies are successful businesses and are actually concerned about the ethical and moral boundries that they have violated to get there. Perhaps some people actually think that their products are genuinely bad, or flawed enough to complain. Don't pass off as jealousy what is clearly not. I wouldn't want to be a billionaire if I had to go to sleep every night wondering how many babies I stuck a knife into. No thank you, I'd rather live within the set of moral and ethical boundries that let me sleep comfortably at night, and live comfortably on 8-10% of $1B. I'm sure the majority of the world is right there too, just because in your mind violating ethical and moral boundries to make a buck is ok, don't condem the rest of us like we would do the same.

The ONLY thing that bugs me is the diferential between the top of the tree and the bottom. Bill Gates does not work several thousand times harder than the guy (junior programmer type) that invents the original code for something as like the JAVA,C++,Basic etc ,etc etc

I currently earn 0.001% of Mr Gates income, Excel can't calculate the income of a farmer in the Sudan

This is an awful idea, let me explain. They need to prevent the installation from happening, not updating! If you let a person install a pirated copy of Windows and then not run the updates, they are leaving a computer wide open for the exploits created once these patches are released. So, anyone running a pirated copy of windows will be vulnerable to all the exploits that these patches fix. You might be thinking, “good, let the cheap pirates get exploited” well these exploited boxes then come after you, your ISP, M$, etc…They need to stop the piracy at the SOURCE! I mean this idea is like saying, “No charges will be filed for stealing a car, but you cannot buy gasoline at pump.”

Windows Update is simpy used to distribute patches for their holes in the software. It sounds like they are charging for their time in making patches, but hey if you want the OS, fine.

Note: Linux will be free, it’s open source. Nothing I expect a “WinBabies” to understand. They can charge for support.

I hear and understand what you are saying. I agree that there have been some deals that likely could have been handled differently, but alot of the time what they do does get twisted and blown out of proportion. Sad as it is, this is a dog eat dog world. I would challenge you to name many major companies that have not had a shady deal or two in there past. I respect your opinion that the software may be flawed or bad. I am talking more about ill will towards the company as a whole. Personally I think the software package is quite well put together considering the vast amounts of configurations that need to be supported with such a large user base. Sure there could be some improvements here and there, but overall I think it is a quality package.

well people need to stop being kids and asking everything for free...I mean when I look at the posts I wonder what will be your next ideas...ya why don't we have free cars...or free food...

people pay their money on stupid silly things...and when it comes to software (which a tool that u love and can't live without)you want it for FREE!

Do u know how much people and experience gathered to make XP?

I am not one who pays to be Franck...my PC has all kind of crack programs...it is cool...but wrong

cool ;) ...but wrong :(

I agree fully with the first part of your statement. The piracy does need to stopped in it's tracks. However, that is easier said then done.

Windows update is a means to fix holes and bugs, but it serves other purposes as well. It does provide a central and easily manageable way to get any fixes that should need to be applied. Yes, there are holes and bugs in Windows, as there is in ANY system, including your beloved Linux. Windows just gets more pulicity about said holes because it has such a large user base. If any other system has as large a base and windows then we would likely be having the same discussion about it instead.

The only thing I have against linux is that it too open. In my opinion, the only way linux is ever going to be truely successful in a fight with Microsoft is that it is going to have to become a little less open and it is going to have a more centralized way of doing things. Why? There are just too many different iterations of it out there and too many people saying there version is the best. In the end, potential users feel alienated and become confused about what everything is. They then just stick with what they know, are comfortable with, and what has worked for them in the past.

Google turned up quite a few. ;-)

I don't agree with it needing to be less open. I think things such as IBM contributing 500 patents to be used by OSS with no royalites, and more companies like NVidia, ATI, Intel, AMD, etc backing Linux will contribute to it's success. I use and have used many OS's across many platforms and I have to say that while Linux is definately one of the most challenging OS's to learn and user, it absolutely has the most potential.

"Do u know how much people and experience gathered to make XP? "

uhh 1?

joke, laugh ..

"people pay their money on stupid silly things...and when it comes to software (which a tool that u love and can't live without)you want it for FREE!"

you have it wrong. while many do in fact want everything for free (and we are all used to free software; freeware and opensource are very prevailant), WHO THE HELL CAN JUSTIFY SPENDING $300 on the OS? not me. OH, I SAW XP HOME UPGRADE FOR $180, big deal, thats still easily at least twice as much money as im willing to pay for my OS. $100 and i'd be pissed on having to waste the money on something i can potentially get for free (illegally) but i would probably do it. anything less almost definitely, anything more, NEVER.

when you build a PC, you shouldnt have to gimp out on crucial hardware parts because the only OS with huge game support costs $300. ridiculous. that's a week's salary to many people, and if you're a college student without MS hookups, forget it.

I am a oldtimer since pre-DOS times and I have always purchased my OS and all the programs I used. Even at $100-$300 for OS in the older days was just fine because with my NEW pc and all the older PC's in my house I was able to install this OS on all of them. I got the new PC and the older one was handed down to my wife and children but always with the lates OS on all of them. But once Microsoft started to enforece the rules to one OS per one PC.....let me see....I have now five PC's in the house times about $180.00 per each update equals to about $900.00. The there are the "other software companies" with similar ideas....Antivirus software, Games, etc...

Even if I was the only one with few PC's in house, one upstairs, on in the living room, one in the bathroom :)

I just thing that if Microsoft (and all the other companies that will now imitate this trend) will either allow one user to use the software on some limited number of PC's and or charge some reasonable price for the OS, let say...$50.00 per copy, I would be more than happy to do just as I used to do and pay it. Pay it even frequently for any and all updates.

I agree completely...

If I buy a piece of software, I should be able to install it on my PC, laptop, file server, etc. without the need for addition licenases. The software is MINE, not my PC's.

It used to be like this but then companies realized that they could beat out a few more bucks for additional software.

Think about it: It costs about $450 for oem versions of Office 2003 Pro and Windows XP per PC: That's obscene if you ask me. Especially if you have to buy one for each one.

I agree. most people wave that banner around with all their toilet paper degrees obtained at high costs and their certifications stacked taller than the empire state building but I have YET to meet an "educated and certifed" IT tech who was worth the price of a cup of coffee.

I used to manage a computer sales and repair shop and we tested all techs with basic hardware and software knowledge and those that scored the highest were those "closet techs" who learned by habds on tinkering, those that never passed? every single one of them were msce or a++ certified. all a bunch of brainless hoohaas if you ask me

couldnt get it to install? waaaaa, so that is why you have the source and have to compile a kernel... compiling simply stated is you yourself make the app or os fit your hardware and needs with minor modifications to the source code, then recompile. Linux wont ever be a mainstream os and remain as stable as it can be now... why? because most people using a computer including those in IT departments lack the knowledge or patience to actually do what is necessary to make something work, or work better, or work more efficiently. all you whiners ever want is put in a cd and mindlessly click through prompts and stare in conformistlike idiocy at the blue screens and the crashes and then say why me.. why meeee.

I totally agree with this wise person.

here is another brick in the wall so to speak..
all those people buying all that software,, never actually realizing that if the original computer they installed it on dies or is sold? the software dies or is sold with it.

all software I have ever seen developed for windows, when I read the licensing agreements, all said the same thing. The software isnt licensed to the user, it is licensed to the computer. You silly people never own any of the software, that pile of burning scrap metal that used to be your computer until a surge hit it and fried its circuts does :)

hahahahahahahahaha

you might have bought the software but you dont own it. the software companies do and they allow you LIMITED USE of it on one pc. read your license agreement

if youre legal, you get the updates

if youre not your security is likely to be marginalised and theres always the chance that those without update status will simply spread nasties around themselves.

in the long run, microsoft has to look at its pricing strategy, lower and realistic pricing would ensure customer loyalty and a good base for goodwill towards them. It would be a change from we will charge what we like, we're Microsoft and theres not a damn thing you can do about it.
Locking people out of windows update who already feel (quite rightly a lot of the time) marginalised by pricing is going to do more harm than good.

Im not anti-MS or anti-Bill, he gives away billions each year for humanitarian projects, how about giving everyone a bit of a break Bill.

I have a dream that one of these days (probably not in my lifetime) MS will open source their OS code, give the clever amongst us a bit more control over our core system and further the development and stability of it and concentrate on value added software such as office etc. thats what i'd do...........

Even if they do stop this i dont see how it would be possible cuz theres keys for windows all over the place. and my friend was installing Windows 98se(which he didnt buy of course) needed a key, he called up that 1800legit # thats was on those books and got one...if its that easy to get a key becides searching google anyone can get a legit one and change it and get updates! make up some excuse and u probably could get one. I don't really like buying software like windows if later on it could get exploited! 100s of dollars spent on windows and someone made me REFORMAT!!!! no loss money wise if priated MS can do what they want it hasnt stopped anyone yet ;]

And you both have proven my point. Linux doesn't work (unless you hack the crap out of it with a meat cleaver). You can even get a dead horse to move if you beat on it enough.

Noooo, what we said is that you shouldn't be in IT because you couldn't make a computer work.

If you have to break it to get it to work then it was junk from the start!

LOL

If it's so broken, then why can millions of other people make it work just fine?

Why would almost ALL of the big names in IT sales and services be promoting something that was broken?

Admit it, you couldn't get it to work and instead of putting the level of effort into figuring out why you couldn't make it work you just wrote it off as being no good.

well im not a fan of MS but i dont see why they need this kind of security ? just so soem lil russian kid in the middle of naware can bypass it gmail invites
email me mrfrostbite@gmail.com

From my POV there are two issues at hand...one is what M$ is charging end users i.e. individuals vs. what they charge business customers. In the case of business users, the corporation absorbs the costs of running latest and "greatest" apps. Individuals are more cost conscious and are restricted in terms of what they can do with an OEM version. There is a reason why large businesses don't buy M$ apps like this as they realize they end up overpaying. Do yourself a favor and buy a transferrable version of MS Office if you like. Regarding the OS, you are still f$%ed. That being said, for the amount of time you spend on your PC everyday, is $200-$300 that bad every few years?

SO what if you have to put in and extra code once or twice. OMG it's like 2 more minutes of your time. Everyone should stop complaining. Windows is a great operating system, just like all of the others.

Don't go crying because you have to click a few more times than normal.