Community weekly poll: How do you feel about Windows Genuine Advantage?
- 8/24/06 1:08 PM
#1: Microsoft has a right to prevent piracy...
by John.Wilkinson - 8/24/06 4:19 PM
In reply to: How do you feel about Windows Genuine Advantage? by Marc Bennett
I know this will incite quite a lot of rebuttal (please remember the 'no flaming' rule), but I honestly believe that Microsoft has not gone far enough with their anti-piracy campaign. I feel they are far too lenient, letting users running cracked versions and/or using stolen product keys to continue using Windows with just various updates, downloads, and 'special features' cutoff, along with 'reminders' about going legit.
It is my firm belief that if they detect someone using a pirated version:
1.) Alert/reminder messages should be displayed immediately, prominently, and continually from that point on with no way to remove the message.
2.) The user should be given no more than three weeks to contact the manufacturer, seller, and/or Microsoft and prove the legitimacy of the license. That is, in my opinion, more than enough time, even around the holidays.
3.) If the copy is not verified within the time limit it should be locked down immediately, rendering the copy of Windows completely unusable.
4.) From then on, booting Windows should result in the screen to enter a valid product key and verification code...once entered Windows would be restored to full functionality.
I see far too many people running illegitimate copies of Windows and not caring the least bit about the "limited functionality" that Microsoft imposes. Why? They just got a $300 operating system for free...who cares if there are a few limitations? Microsoft needs to make them care! Microsoft simply has not done enough to protect their software...if they ever want to reduce piracy of their software they need to quit taking baby steps and law down the law, literally, enforce the law!
Despite the hard line approach when it comes to piracy, though, I believe that Microsoft must adopt a strict policy of informing the user that such checks will be carried out, before the user ever purchases the OS (or computer running it). Waiting until you begin installing Windows, Office, etc is not sufficient because by that point you no longer have the ability to take the software back...the store will not accept open software except for exchange of damaged goods. And the recent fiasco with not notifying the end user is completely unacceptable...the end user has a right to know if, and what, information is going to be reported to others ahead of time so that they can make an informed decision as to whether or not they wish to purchase the software and agree to the license or not.
That's my two cents.
John
Right to prevent piracy
by ServaGBR - 8/25/06 3:02 AM In reply to: #1: Microsoft has a right to prevent piracy... by John.Wilkinson
I agree wholeheartedly with Microsoft's right to prevent piracy. The alternative to this protection simply means a lack of developement of software. I do feel however, that MS's software is overpriced on the shelves. Perhaps it would pay to reduce retail prices and thus reduce the feelings that many people have that MS is stultifying the growth of alternative systems.
I fully agree! What have you got to hide, after all?
by fun2program8 - 8/25/06 5:55 AM In reply to: Right to prevent piracy by ServaGBR...besides private business stuff, or whatever. I can see that. But it's not like M$ is going to steal that.
Too far
by Batman - 8/25/06 8:55 AM In reply to: I fully agree! What have you got to hide, after all? by fun2program8I totally agree that M/S has every right to protect itself from pirates.
What I dont agree with is the method in which they are going about it.
First, WGA is bogus. No to be political, but, the analogy seems the same. MS is acting like Gore did, when he lost the election. Kept doing everything possible to find a way to get the numbers turned to show he won. He went as far as to try to say that if there was a dimple, it shows intent.
It's very similar here, in that it only takes once to authenticate a version of windows. It does not need to be repeated every 3-4 weeks. The only purpose this could serve that I can see is, to find a way to illigimize a legitimate version of windows. As MS sits around their think tank, they can imagine new ways to make people's CD's illigimate.
Ok, I dont really think this is true. But, thanks to MS ideas, ie, activation, many companies are following suit. While I would think MS would not be doing this; can we be sure that Symantec wouldn't; or McAfee; what about Quicken; what about gaming companies; other software companies.
MS is treading on very unsafe waters, and theyre taking us with them.
It's a slippery slope...
by BlazeEagle - 9/22/06 10:47 PM In reply to: Too far by BatmanIt opens the flood gate to other companies following the path that MS started.
By accepting WGA without question, Other companies may go further than MS has.
What do I have to hide?
by gbear1970 - 8/27/06 12:03 PM In reply to: I fully agree! What have you got to hide, after all? by fun2program8Nothing to the right authority. I don't believe this includes any and all techs working at MS. As someone else said, why do I have to be validated every 4 weeks? And never mind the nightmare of taking someone's recommendation to buy an HP and having 3 harddrive failures in 9 months. I should then buy XP again and again because I had to put in a new harddrive? And if you think MS doesn't already have a backdoor into your system, you are truly a babe in the woods. Those same tech that leave those cutesy little "Easter eggs" can be getting my SS number, my bank account and just about anything else they want. And, yes, I run a firewall, antivirus, anti-spam ware, and several spyware programs. I don't open emails unless I know the person and even then I sometimes don't open the attachments. I browse the web responsibly. Despite having every possible program checked that NOTHING was to be downloaded or updated without my permission, I find that MS from time to time has found a way to add some little item to my computer. I check the system regularly and keep a printout so I can compare them. There is a difference between preventing piracy and invading privacy!
I agree...
by John.Wilkinson - 8/25/06 9:47 AM
In reply to: Right to prevent piracy by ServaGBR
I prefer Windows XP and Vista to all other operating systems available, but I agree that the cost of the software is pretty steep when compared to some of the alternatives. To be honest, if I didn't receive free licenses through my employer I would not upgrade Windows on the machines I bought and would be running various Linux distros on the ones I built. Unfortunately it looks like the cost is going to increase, or at best remain constant, for some time to come.
John
If it were so easy....
by BobLap - 8/25/06 4:42 AM In reply to: #1: Microsoft has a right to prevent piracy... by John.Wilkinson
If Microsoft truly had the ability to discover ONLY pirated or illegal copies of Windows it would be a different story. But as many people are saying, WGA is flagging a ton of legit copies.
Remember, this is the company that can't seem to make a secure operating system after years of concentrating on that alone.
Also, the way Microsoft went about deploying WGA should be considered illegal. It's spyware by anybody's definition of the term. THey claim it's a "Critical Update" then procede to load a spyware program on people's computers. Does WGA really have to phone home hourly to make sure a copy of Windows is legit?? Shouldn't a one time check be enough??
WGA is just like all of Microsoft's products, incomplete and prone to bugs.
I Agree
by Startracker - 8/25/06 4:53 AM In reply to: If it were so easy.... by BobLapAmen to all of that! It is spyware and it is very hard to remove from your PC. Microsoft does not have the right to place anything on a privately-owned PC that the owner cannot remove or have any control over.
Amen To That!
by cgarofalo1 - 8/25/06 8:06 AM In reply to: I Agree by StartrackerThat's exactly what I told MS. They have NO RIGHT to put something on my PC that I cannot remove! Now I'm going to search through these posts; seems someone has info on how to get rid of it. I just have to hope I don't mess up my system. <sigh>
I also agree...
by BlazeEagle - 9/14/06 8:06 PM In reply to: I Agree by StartrackerSome will say don't use Windows and other Microsoft products, but that just sends a message to other companies that the consumers are a just bunch of push overs.
Consumers have rights too.
I disagree
by rhomp2002 - 9/14/06 9:51 PM In reply to: I also agree... by BlazeEagleIt sends the message that customers have found other ways to do the job without Microsoft. Microsoft can just whistle for the money in that case. It weakens Microsoft, not the other companies. It is like the Dixie Chicks having to cancel all those concerts because of their big mouths. Hit them where it hurts.
give it a rest.
by schindks - 8/25/06 8:03 AM In reply to: If it were so easy.... by BobLapWhat’s Bills problem doesn't he have enough money? Microsoft should just make sure all future versions of windows are unable to be copied moving forward. Microsoft is just creating a lot of bad will and that will cost them more than the ability to track copies of windows. This move by Microsoft should be excellent for apple computers. It’s upsetting a lot of people. There are a lot of people out there who purchased their systems from computer geeks and fully trusted them, now all of a sudden they have something to start worrying about through no fault of their own, most people are not computer freaks who know all the terminology and technicalities of the computer world so to make them out to be professional hackers who planned this whole scheme of copying windows is ridiculous and upsetting. Most people want to cruise the net send and receive e-mail and us a couple of key programs. Give it a rest.
You make excellent points but...
by BlazeEagle - 9/22/06 12:10 AM In reply to: give it a rest. by schindksThe average user who isn't a computer geek needs to be more aware of the machine they're using then they'ed like.
The world is no longer a backwards, "hill billy" world. The world is advancing, while many people are not.
People with limited computer knowledge are often taken advantage of by evil doing tech "experts". I'm NOT suggesting everyone become tech "geeks", I'm just saying people need to be more knowledgeable about computers.
Don't misunderstand me though, There ARE helpful and trustworthy computer experts out there.
Give me a BREAK!
by lassean1 - 8/25/06 6:04 AM In reply to: #1: Microsoft has a right to prevent piracy... by John.Wilkinson
WHAT DO YOU WORK FOR MICROSHAFT. THAT HAS TO BE THE MOST ONE SIDED STATEMENT AND IT IS KILLING ME. I THOUGHT YOU WERE BILL GATES HIMSELF.LOL!
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