microsoft updates - interesting stuff

[bHd]

recieved this in an email today:

'Aiming to crack down on counterfeit software, Microsoft plans later this year to require customers to verify that their copy of Windows is genuine before downloading security patches and other add-ons to the operating system, ZDNet reports.

Since last fall the company has been testing a tool that can check whether a particular version of Windows is legitimate, but until now the checks have been voluntary. Starting February 7, the verification will be mandatory for many downloads for people in three countries: China, Norway and the Czech Republic.

By the middle of this year, Microsoft will make the verification mandatory in all countries for both add-on features to Windows as well as for updates, including security patches.

Microsoft will continue to allow all people to get Windows updates by turning on the Automatic Update feature within Windows. By doing so, Microsoft hopes it has struck a balance between promoting security and ensuring that people buy genuine versions of Windows.'

that's all fair n good for Microsoft to try and protect their astronomical profits n all but am I the only one that thinks this will help the push to non Micro$oft OS's? I mean, if I can get a good linux system running doing what I need then why the hell should I pay hundreds of pounds for shitty buggy OS's from microsoft that need at least two service packs to run ok? the only reason I've stuck with 98/xp etc till now is cos I got the software for nowt and my games work on it.
anybody else think microsoft is playin a dangerous game with this one??

[Rebelius]

I don't really, i think it'll just mean people will start paying for it instead... UNLESS other OSs start getting the games earlier and stuff, anyone seriously into games will buy Windows.

It's a step in the right direction, but i doubt it'll work as well as MS hope it will.


"that's all fair n good for Microsoft to try and protect their astronomical profits n all "

if that's sarcasm, i have no idea why. It is actually illegal to steal from the rich.
if it's not, ignore me.

[AlanG]

excellent, so everyone out there with copied versions of Microsoft OS's will become a zombie IRC box!

[bHd]

Originally Posted by Rebelius

I don't really, i think it'll just mean people will start paying for it instead... UNLESS other OSs start getting the games earlier and stuff, anyone seriously into games will buy Windows.

Fair enough bur it's an opportunity for other OS's to make headway. the more users they get the quicker games will appear I suppose

Originally Posted by Rebelius

"that's all fair n good for Microsoft to try and protect their astronomical profits n all "

if that's sarcasm, i have no idea why. It is actually illegal to steal from the rich.
if it's not, ignore me.

The point I was getting at was that maybe Micro$oft should concentrate on making a good, smooth running, stable OS before they start clamping down on users for legitimacy. I'll be damned if I am gonna pay £120 or whatever for the next M$ OS. Spose it's all kinda moot cos guaranteed somebody will develop a way of side-stepping the software soon as it's put into use.....

[AlanG]

How does this plan on working, by getting you to verify your serial code on activation? Ive not seen anything about how they plan to get round people who use a key generator as this activates ok even for SP2.

[bHd]

Originally Posted by Alan G

How does this plan on working, by getting you to verify your serial code on activation? Ive not seen anything about how they plan to get round people who use a key generator as this activates ok even for SP2.

yeah. I kinda wondered the same. I'm sure they won't give us too much information about how it's done.....

[humndislocation]

Originally Posted by bHd

I the only one that thinks this will help the push to non Micro$oft OS's? I mean, if I can get a good linux system running doing what I need then why the hell should I pay hundreds of pounds for shitty buggy OS's from microsoft that need at least two service packs to run ok? the only reason I've stuck with 98/xp etc till now is cos I got the software for nowt and my games work on it.
anybody else think microsoft is playin a dangerous game with this one??

That won't happen. Linux is in no way ready to replace windows. It's a good OS for technical users, but still, it's no where near as user friendly as windows.

For example, compare the process of updating the drivers for your nvidia card on windows and on linux. On windows I just log in as administrator and run the executable, reboot, done. On linux, I have to edit some obscure text file, and restart the computer so that it reboots in console mode. Then I have to run the install program. Then i have to use an extremely user unfriendly text editing program, to edit the text file back to what it was originally, so that next time the computer boots up into the GUI. Then I have to edit another text file, so that the system uses the new driver, and not the default nvidia driver that came with linux, then I have to edit yet another text file, to change options for the graphics card.

Then there's the fact that there's nowhere near the amount of decent software on linux that there is on windows. Oh, and unless you're lucky enough to find a .rpm (or similar for another distribution) when installing a program, then you have to compile it from source first. Not really the kind of thing that your non technical user is going to be able to cope with, is it?

[RealR]

Originally Posted by humndislocation

That won't happen. Linux is in no way ready to replace windows. It's a good OS for technical users, but still, it's no where near as user friendly as windows. ...

Agreed. Don't most people GET Windows with their PC though? Also how often do you need to get a new version of windows? XP is gonna be the only OS to be on my current PC. So whats problem with M$ checking u have a legal copy?

Also i don't think XP is too expensive really. How much u pay for a PC game nowadays in shops? £35? Play that for a week maybe then stash it away on a shelf for a rainy day. how about a DVD? £20. Yet you won't pay £120 for your OS which you use a LOT? OK its buggy etc but if u don't like it, find a new past time or get linux.

If MS have found a new way to stop piracy, good for them. Lets hope the saved money goes to pay people to fix their OS's or make some more decent games.

Edit: However after all that how they go about this is a touch worrying. How can they ensure a copy is geniune? Via the CD-Key? Well i think i'm on my 3rd/4th install of this windows (had PC problems, did a format once plus upgraded mobo) so my key would have gone through the system a fair bit if thats how they kept the record and they might stop me updating, which would suck as i'm a legit customer.

[Rebelius]

not if your copy is OEM you're not.

[RealR]

Originally Posted by Rebelius

not if your copy is OEM you're not.

this is daft but whats oem again? oh and when i got mine it wasn't pre-installed. they sent win xp with pc sorta thing.

[Rebelius]

OEM means you just get the product, it's not a retail version. You wont get the box or hardcopy of the manual, just the disc and your license. The OEM license is also different to the FPP license because the license is not transferable from one machine to another, even if the PC on which it was originally installed is no longer in use. The OEM license is tied to the original PC on which it was installed. Major hardware changes such as motherboard changes count as a change of machine.