Micro$oft getting even greedier?

[markb]

My apologies if this has been posted but it seems like Bill Gates isn't quite rich enough yet.

http://www.neoseeker.com/news/story/5373/

So every time you change a motherboard Micro$oft wants you to purchase a new software license, obviously this is unenforcable at present but with Vista and DRM around the corner who knows?

I bet the gaming community and some hardware manufacturers will have something to say about this.

[TOK]

Sounds like you can tell them your motherboard was defective and be issued a new license.
XP has the "Activate by phone" option where you call and they register your version of XP if you're on a machine without an internet connection.

[Grasshopper]

I think what terrifies Micro$oft is the possibility that, in future, more and more people will regard their current Windows as "good enough" and become increasingly reluctant to upgrade. I mean seriously if you're not into playing games then what's the point? Up until about a year ago I was still using Windows 98se and it's easily stable enough for running applications.

The same reluctance to upgrade also applies to corporations albeit to a lesser extent. The place where I currently work still uses Windows 2000, and my previous employer was still using NT (running on a Linux network).

I also think the stability of XP has been greatly exaggerated. It's no better than NT in my experience. Sure it is better than 98 but it still occasionally crashes. When it comes to exaggerated claims that their latest Windows OS is far superior to their last, Micro$oft has cried wolf once too often for me. Let's face it, it is not in Micro$oft's interest to make a perfect OS because if they did no one would upgrade ever again.

Unless Micro$oft comes up with something truly groundbreaking, it's highly unlikely that I'll ever upgrade to Vista. I just hope that when XP eventually becomes non-viable through lack of new drivers etc, Linux will have evolved to the point where it is regarded as a viable alternative to Windows for non-technical users.

[Harry Potter]

I guess this will only affect peopel who actually buy their crap.

Myself and everyone I know prefers to "trial" it before buying.

[Crazy Cooter]

Up until about a year ago I was still using Windows 98se

Me too.  I finally went to XP about a year ago for my "main" system and that's when I found out Microsoft has a "life-cycle" for it's software.  Try to get a Sidewinder steering wheel working in XP accurately and you'll know exactly what I'm talking about.  They actually built OUT support for their own product.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?pr=lifepolicy

When I get sick of XP, I'll be using Linux.

[SOAPboy]

I think what terrifies Micro$oft is the possibility that, in future, more and more people will regard their current Windows as "good enough" and become increasingly reluctant to upgrade. I mean seriously if you're not into playing games then what's the point? Up until about a year ago I was still using Windows 98se and it's easily stable enough for running applications.

The same reluctance to upgrade also applies to corporations albeit to a lesser extent. The place where I currently work still uses Windows 2000, and my previous employer was still using NT (running on a Linux network).

I also think the stability of XP has been greatly exaggerated. It's no better than NT in my experience. Sure it is better than 98 but it still occasionally crashes. When it comes to exaggerated claims that their latest Windows OS is far superior to their last, Micro$oft has cried wolf once too often for me. Let's face it, it is not in Micro$oft's interest to make a perfect OS because if they did no one would upgrade ever again.

Unless Micro$oft comes up with something truly groundbreaking, it's highly unlikely that I'll ever upgrade to Vista. I just hope that when XP eventually becomes non-viable through lack of new drivers etc, Linux will have evolved to the point where it is regarded as a viable alternative to Windows for non-technical users.

Most buisnesses are still running NT and 2K.. Licensing is to expensive to upgrade to 2003 if you have no NEED to..

[shmokes]

Well, now....I hate Microsoft more than most, but Windows XP is a damned sight better than 98.  It's no comparison.  And what company wouldn't have a support lifecycle?  You think Honda's still making parts for '98 Civics? 

As for their anti-piracy measures, I'm onboard with y'all there.  Having to call to get your OS reactivated after changing a motherboard is ridiculous.  At the very least I hope they have a time limit like the current product activation, i.e., you can change a certain number of peripherals in any given six months and the slate is wiped clean every six months.

"Genuine Advantage" pisses me off to no end.  First, there's the name.  Why tell me it's a genuine advantage when it is so clearly, obviously, a genuine disadvantage.  How in god's name is it advantageous for me to have to wait through an extra step each and every time I need to download updates?  And second...um...it seems like there was a second.  Anyway, it's annoying as hell.

[AllisterFiend]

Well, now....I hate Microsoft more than most, but Windows XP is a damned sight better than 98.  It's no comparison.  And what company wouldn't have a support lifecycle?  You think Honda's still making parts for '98 Civics? 

As for their anti-piracy measures, I'm onboard with y'all there.  Having to call to get your OS reactivated after changing a motherboard is ridiculous.  At the very least I hope they have a time limit like the current product activation, i.e., you can change a certain number of peripherals in any given six months and the slate is wiped clean every six months.

"Genuine Advantage" pisses me off to no end.  First, there's the name.  Why tell me it's a genuine advantage when it is so clearly, obviously, a genuine disadvantage.  How in god's name is it advantageous for me to have to wait through an extra step each and every time I need to download updates?  And second...um...it seems like there was a second.  Anyway, it's annoying as hell.

Not sure if you know this already but you can turn off the "Genuine Advantage" through Microsoft Explorer.  (if the extra step really bothers you.)

Allister Fiend

[Harry Potter]

Most buisnesses are still running NT and 2K.. Licensing is to expensive to upgrade to 2003 if you have no NEED to..

I had to fight at work to keep all the PCs in the print room on Win2K. The rest of the building is on XP and they have no end of problems with it.

Converting to XP for them is no problem since they do roaming updates anyway (and they're a multi-billion dollar company so expense is no issue) but that comes with heavy user restrictions. It's called MDE (Managed Desktop Environment). You may have heard of this crap.

[USSEnterprise]

At this point, 95 and NT 4.0 are unsupported, 98 and ME will lose support on June 30th, and 2000 is only being supported via security updates. Personally, I think 2000 is superior to XP. Much more stable. Never used Server 2003. If it weren't for my lack of knowledge and compatibility, I'd use Linux.

[Crazy Cooter]

think Honda's still making parts for '98 Civics? 

First, Honda's are 100 bazillion times better than anything that could ever come from MS  .
Second, "security" stuff, yes.  Honda still issues TSB's and recalls for my 1992 civic.

I couldn't care less about media player updates or anything else.  I just don't want my PC hacked.  Keep the bugs out (since they should never have been there in the first place) or don't release the software until it "works" for real.  OR... open the code after the support stops so 3rd parties can offer "aftermarket" support.  I'd pay a couple bucks a year to keep an old OS secure.

[markb]

I worked for an automotive supplier for 5 years and our standard contract was that we would continue to produce spares for 10 years after the last vehicle had rolled off the production line.
I would like to think that I would be getting support for XP for at least another 5 years if I bought it now.

[SOAPboy]

Most buisnesses are still running NT and 2K.. Licensing is to expensive to upgrade to 2003 if you have no NEED to..

I had to fight at work to keep all the PCs in the print room on Win2K. The rest of the building is on XP and they have no end of problems with it.

Converting to XP for them is no problem since they do roaming updates anyway (and they're a multi-billion dollar company so expense is no issue) but that comes with heavy user restrictions. It's called MDE (Managed Desktop Environment). You may have heard of this crap.

lol isnt it great when you have a solid working network, then the boss guy sees some pamplet(sp) for some new O/S and how "cool" it looks and says "OMG WE NEED THAT!"..

[Harry Potter]

Well, in the company's defence, the MDE is actually a good idea for about 95% of employees who have now lost the ability to screw up their computer on a weekly basis. 

The rest of the 5% is exempt from MDE for good reasons, including our print room. Also I have not had a problem with my primary PC on 2K in 2 years and this PC has literaly been running 24 hours a day since then (OK, I do have to reboot it every now and then to update the virus definitions). The MDE people still get one critical problem a month.

[psik0tik]

I got out of the windows blackhole awhile ago I switched to linux...it does everything windows does and its free.

[Jess--]

personal experience here says that the older win 2000 (server edition) is 1000% more stable than XP, I have machines here shifting between 85 / 100 Gb per day that are running on win 2000 and the only attention they get is a reboot every 90+ days

[Stingray]

You think Honda's still making parts for '98 Civics? 

Of course they are. Why wouldn't they? I don't own a Honda, but I bought parts directly from Ford for my '98 Explorer just the other day. Every car company continues to make replacement parts for all of their vehicles as long as the market is there. They sell plenty of Civics, replacement parts will be available for a very long time to come.

-S

[Trenchbroom]

If it weren't for my lack of knowledge and compatibility, I'd use Linux.

Well compatibility is one thing.  But for knowledge, trying out Linux can not be easier.  Just go get a "live" distribution like Ubuntu or Knoppix, burn it to a disc, and try it out.  Nothing installs on your hard drive--everything boots right off the CD.  Slow, but as a trial basis to find out what Linux can offer you and to make sure that your hardware will work in Linux, it's worth a free download.

Don't fear Linux.  In many MANY ways it is easier to use then XP.  Some ways not of course, but now that I've switched I absolutely LOATHE going back to XP for anything.  And it's rare that I have to.

[USSEnterprise]

If it weren't for my lack of knowledge and compatibility, I'd use Linux.

Well compatibility is one thing.  But for knowledge, trying out Linux can not be easier.  Just go get a "live" distribution like Ubuntu or Knoppix, burn it to a disc, and try it out.  Nothing installs on your hard drive--everything boots right off the CD.  Slow, but as a trial basis to find out what Linux can offer you and to make sure that your hardware will work in Linux, it's worth a free download.

Don't fear Linux.  In many MANY ways it is easier to use then XP.  Some ways not of course, but now that I've switched I absolutely LOATHE going back to XP for anything.  And it's rare that I have to.

I know that. I've used live CDs before, and like the interface. What I need is knowledge of Unix. I never sucessfully installed a program on Linux

[shmokes]

You think Honda's still making parts for '98 Civics? 

Of course they are. Why wouldn't they? I don't own a Honda, but I bought parts directly from Ford for my '98 Explorer just the other day. Every car company continues to make replacement parts for all of their vehicles as long as the market is there. They sell plenty of Civics, replacement parts will be available for a very long time to come.

-S

Well, that's in some ways different.  If it's very profitable, sure.  No way in hell Honda is still manufacturing every part of the '98 Civics.  If there are parts that sell enough for Honda to devote resources to it and make enough of a profit to be worth their while they'll support it.  If you need a new door you're getting NOS or junkyard.  But that's no different than Microsoft's philosophy on supporting Windows 98. 

[danny_galaga]

You think Honda's still making parts for '98 Civics? 

Of course they are. Why wouldn't they? I don't own a Honda, but I bought parts directly from Ford for my '98 Explorer just the other day. Every car company continues to make replacement parts for all of their vehicles as long as the market is there. They sell plenty of Civics, replacement parts will be available for a very long time to come.

-S

"i'm in the business of selling spare parts, the cars are just incidental" - Henry Ford.

[Trenchbroom]

I know that. I've used live CDs before, and like the interface. What I need is knowledge of Unix. I never sucessfully installed a program on Linux

That's why I stick with Ubuntu (Kubuntu actually--I like KDE better).  Debian-based distros (like Ubuntu) are extemely easy to install 95% of the software you need.  Usually just a simple matter of typing APT-GET in a shell or using the automated Synaptic/Adept installer in the GUI. 

Easy.

[Grasshopper]

I know that. I've used live CDs before, and like the interface. What I need is knowledge of Unix. I never sucessfully installed a program on Linux

Indeed. I hate to admit it but ease of installation is one thing that Micro$oft got right.

Installation is definitely Linux's Achilles heel. Before it can become a viable mainstream alternative to Windows there will have to be recognised standard way of installing packages that is foolproof and that works across all the major distributions. Until that happens we're unlikely to see many Linux packages being sold on the high street.

It's a shame because in all other areas Linux is vastly superior to Windows. The availability of drivers ceased to be a problem years ago.

[USSEnterprise]

I would have stayed with it. I had a partition of my hard disk dedicated to Ubuntu, but I couldn't even install flash player.

[psik0tik]

Installing linux is super easy right now like trench said use ubuntu or mandriva is really easy. It even sets up the partitions for you now. It runs all my mame stuff fast and installing the stuff on there is like learning how to do stuff on xp you just have to read up on it. I think everyone just got comfy with Windows. The biggest of them all in the linux world is that its all free. There is'nt much you have to pay for. It's mostly open source plus no viruses or spam. Well almost none.