It's Windows vs. Windows as Microsoft battles pira

[starmena3]

In an effort to boost sales of Windows, Microsoft has its sights set on its nearest competitor.

But it's not Linux. And sorry, Apple Computer fans, it's not the Mac.

The biggest rival to Windows sales is Windows itself--or rather pirated copies of the OS. And Microsoft is starting to put its foot down.

In its most serious bid yet to reap revenue from those who've been getting Windows without payment to Microsoft, the company plans to require computer owners to verify that their copy of Windows is properly licensed before allowing them to download software from Microsoft's site. By mid-year, the once voluntary Windows Genuine Advantage program will become mandatory.

Those with unlicensed copies of Windows will be blocked from getting both add-ons to the OS and security patches through Microsoft's download site (though they will still be able to use the Automatic Update feature built into Windows).

"They've let it go until now because PC growth has been so good," said Matt Rosoff, an analyst at research firm Directions on Microsoft.

But that's begun to change.


Source: Zdnet.com (http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9595_22-5561113.html)

[mck9235]

Finally, Microsoft should've done this earlier, so many people get pirated versions. I don't even think unregistered users should be able to acess the atuomatic updates. :( Good that their finally doing this. :)

[shwaza]

Wow, how come people would pirate windows in the first place? I mean, what kind of computers are people buying, that don't already come with windows on them? :huh:

[starmena3]

lol hey I have a pirated version of windows :P lol nah my computer originally came with windows ME and I Updated it 2 windows xp

[mck9235]

Originally posted by shwaza@Feb 3 2005, 05:52 PM
Wow, how come people would pirate windows in the first place? I mean, what kind of computers are people buying, that don't already come with windows on them? :huh:
25849

A lot of teens build their own, therefore they have to buy the OS and they think the PC parts alone are expensive so they get a pirated copy.

XP Home isn't that bad, it's about $80-$90, you can get it even less when there is a sale etc.
Again most people need Microsoft Office and that runs another $200, unless you get ST Edition which is about $100.

[Canada1824]

I want an Mac, No viruses. Anyway, I am using an priated (and corupted) verison of windows professional. Don't blame me, no money. Also, with longhorn in a year, windows 's price is gonna go down. Also the security flaws is gonna kill it!

[Dragon Gamer]

Well i get all my window OS officially.

For those who can't get it borrow it, don't get the illegal ones, or the pirated software.

I think Microsoft should have put their foot down a long time ago.

They tried something new but it didn't work out, now anybody can just make an OS that really pushes performance.

[wildfire]

You could call mine 'pirated'. I am one of those teens that built my computer and had my uncle burn me a copy of XP Pro. No Way I'm spending that hundreds of dollars on an OS, boring.

[Canada1824]

longhorn in a year + security crashes - long reputation = slash prices. That equation should be right in a couple of years

[mck9235]

Longhorn isn't coming out in a year, they will keep pushing it back. THey already took out some of the best features. :(

For your rippers out there I understand your short on cash (everyone is, I have to rip software sometimes to :P) but it's still stealing and although people can't see you it is still stealing. Put that in your conscience. :P

[undacuvabruva]

...
now people are just gonna pirate the updates.
wow.
Yet another problem.

It's wrong, but some people just don't care.

Kinda Sad

[JackZhou]

Originally posted by shwaza@Feb 3 2005, 02:52 PM
Wow, how come people would pirate windows in the first place? I mean, what kind of computers are people buying, that don't already come with windows on them? :huh:
25849


Usually the Windows XP that comes with newly bought PCs are home edition, plus these OEM version of Windows is harder to maintain.

Microsoft is not doing a good job of verifying whether the version of Windows is genuine or not. My version of Windows XP Media Center Edition is piracy, though it is still detected as "genuine"!:D

[makeinu]

It's a publicity stunt.

You can't go to the Windows Update site to download the security patches, but you can get them through auto update.

Microsoft daren't cut off the pirates from the security updates. They talked about doing that, but the uproar from security experts was just too loud.

Whether they like it or not, their insecure software, which they seem sorta incapable of fixing, leaves them with an obligation to ensure that everyone, even the pirates, gets the updates. Elsewise, the web becomes rapidly unusable because of the malware problem.

Also, Microsoft doesn't actually care about piracy. They have gone on record as saying that they don't care, because they know people are going to pirate software, and they'd just as soon it be theirs, so that when they finally decide to push the issue, the pirates will be used to Windows, and won't be willing to move to another platform.

Hence, it's a publicity stunt.

However, what they don't seem to realize is that people are actually becoming rather sick of the whole virus/worm/trojan thing, and that by putting the onus for security on the end user, they are alienating their user base. So as alternatives become cheaper and easier, switching becomes not such an obstacle.

[nomad2k]

They might also be cutting out some of the hackers and virus makers only use illegal versions of windows from their user base. But then again, good hackers might be able to get the illegal versions to work with the updates regardless.

Who knows. Certainly not I.

[aznebonix]

even if they require a registry...people are still goin to buy pirated windows OS and still find a way to get all the updates. it always seems as if a company comes out with a product, theres goin to be a copy, a hack or other thing that just well invalidates your warranty lol

[akshay]

its to come in 2006.. longhorn.. but m not that exited about that.. i'm k in for linux!!