ZDNet Blogs – Ed Bott – June 27, 2006:
Last week, a correspondent on Dave Farber’s Interesting People list posted some comments about his experiences with Windows OneCare Live. In the middle of the post, he added this tidbit:
“I like to review updates before they are installed. The only update that I have not installed is the latest WGA because of the security issues related to it.
I called Microsoft support to see if there is a hidden option to say, “yep, I’ve got updates turned to manual… it’s okay.” The rep said, “No and why wouldn’t you want to get the latest updates to Windows.”
He told me that in the fall, having the latest WGA will become mandatory and if its not installed, Windows will give a 30 day warning and when the 30 days is up and WGA isn’t installed, Windows will stop working, so you might as well install WGA now.’“
That can’t be true, can it? I’m always suspicious of any report that comes from a front-line tech support drone, so I sent a note to Microsoft asking for an official confirmation or, better yet, a denial. Instead, I got this terse response from a Microsoft spokesperson:
“As we have mentioned previously, as the WGA Notifications program expands in the future, customers may be required to participate. Microsoft is gathering feedback in select markets to learn how it can best meet its customers’ needs and will keep customers informed of any changes to the program.”
That’s it. That’s the entire response.
I’m not trying to be a lame *NIX advocate but this kind of thing can help one switch sides. Then again I bet MS will do it in a way that can be bypassed to keep people running Windows.
This is exactly why I switched last year. Linux only for me now.
June 27, 2006
Anyway. I think this has already been addressed by people who know more than me, are smarter, and better looking. But I wish they WOULD do that. Turn ’em off. Turn ’em all off. Find every illegal or unregistered copy of windows everwhere in the universe and disable them. Just give me a few days notice so I can buy as much Apple and Red Hat stock as I can afford.
I suspect MS has to milk every dollar out of VISTA release. Not only because of the delay, but the lack of interest in upgrading due to the parred down OS. Upgrade marketing is a good piece of change. They don’t have to sacrifice volume discounts to OEM’s and corporate customers. I don’t care about flash and splash graphics, so I feel no need to pay more as long as XP is supported.
Yet another reason to use Linux. Mircosoft just doesn’t get it.
Kill switch?
More like Kevorkian machine for MS.
well M$ does get it. The educated user knows the world isnt flat and there are other OS’s then M$. But common user (80% of the people) are sheep and while they use a computer they think its to hard for them. When this happens “user” then will be happy to turn the thinking over to who ever wants to take it aka M$. Only the educated user will say anything but the educated user is in the minority.
Whats funny is im preaching to the choir here.
I work at a computer repair shop, and WGA is becoming a nightmare. It’s targeting LEGAL computers as well, that have NOT had Windows reinstalled. Usually older machines, I’ve seen mostly HP’s, but a few Dells as well that will not boot thanks to a ‘counterfiet’ version of windows. People are NOT happy. I always mention Apples that never require activation and aren’t prone to malware that they always seem to have as well. Of course, I only tell that to the GOOD customers. 🙂 I’ve got to keep a job, and as long as there is a Microsoft, I’ve got job security! Heheheh!
Since many people do not have WGA on their system, how can WGA kill your PC when you’re not using it? Is there OTHER SPYWARE on our PCs that we aren’t aware of that will do this to us?
Thing is a lot of these stories that sound really scary from microsoft is all hype, and never EVER come to pass. Calm down ppl!
I had to deal with product activation like this before with Office 2000. The activation didn’t work and I had to place a call. Apparently the legal copy I had bought through the university had the same serial number as many other student copies. So they required activation and then gave a lot of people the same serial number. It wasn’t a hassel to call and get it activated, but it was really stupid. Worse yet it made me leary of ugrading or reinstalling the OS which one needs to do with Windows every so often. That computer is now running linux. I’d rather try to debug something from a command line then have to deal with insecure and crappy copyright protection software. Ubuntu and OpenSuSE are both to the point that average users can use them. At this point I almost don’t care what Microsoft does (or Apple for that matter).
That’s product activation, totally diffrent issue.
I enjoy people arguing that a company doesn’t have the right to enforce its copyright, and that they should switch to a poorly supported product with a sharp learning curve.
Attention Linux Nerds: OSX is a better OS. Period. Get over it.
OSX is great if all you want is what Steve Jobs gives you. *nix is for those that enjoy the freedom to make the OS do what THEY want.
80% of people use Windows only because it comes pre-installed on the computer. If computers went back to the days where you had to buy the OS seperatly, then hardly anyone would use Windoze.
Linux just isn’t ready for the desktop in any way. It’s prettier, but thats about it. So please… stop with the Linux pushing… its sad, pathetic, and makes anyone who does it who isn’t recomending it just for programmers look stupid.
OSX is based on Unix, but is actually stable and usable, that comment about “what Jobs wants” is laughable.
I’ve never any problems with XP, and the problem here isn’t really about XP or about them enforcing a way to make sure infringing software won’t run… it’s that WGA is notoriously unreliable. It is going to stop legitimate licences and installations.
That’s the only issue.
They are out of SOYLENT GREEN?!
Why use software form a company that can’t get it’s own product out the door.
I have been using osX 10.2.8 for about five years now,(hardware will not support an upgrade- 333Mhz iMac) While they my be somethings I can’t do, for music and movies it works just fine. Show me any PC that can do what my mac does with so little resource.
GA, is already being USED, but not on win 2000 or before.
NO software should NEED a Licence after it is 5+ years old.
After 5 years of inception, It should be dumped to the freeware, and decode realms to be LEARNED from.
XP is the fastest current OS. At leas in Gui responsiveness. I own a mac with Tiger on it. It’s a bit old but anyway. And my PC dual boots XP and Ububtu.
I’m sorry people, but the best system in responsiveness is XP. For graphics apps OSX is undoubtely better. Linux is neither. And it still lacks important aplications.
Of course, 90% of users could use Linux. They pratically check online mail, browse the Net, and respond to mails. Even Open Office is very usable for the majority of users. Power users have bad luck with Linux, it lacks so much Apps that you just can’t do without…
And also I agree with #1, it will be broken in some way and M$ will no do a lot to prevent it.
Honestly, If WGA becomes required for windows to function, I will just switch to Linux as my main OS. I have purchased way to many copies of windows to be treated like a criminal. I feel sooo sorry for those that will have to put up with Microsofts BS because they don’t know how to use any of the other OS’s out there. I do agree that Linux isn’t ready for the main stream market but at least there are those of us who can switch. Shame on you Bill……
With the exception of Quicken and Tax Break, Linux does most everything I need it to do. I may get a Mac mini to fill in the gaps, but I’m waiting until 10.5 comes out. And here is something else I don’t need, virus protection, multiple spyware detectors, and M$ licensing nonesense. The only thing it cost was the $0.50 for the CD to burn the Ubuntu iso to.
I have declined the Windows Genuine Advantage to be installed. I will be very upset if MicroSoft surreptitiously installs it on my computer. I will be even more upset if, for whatever reason, MicroSoft turns off my Operating System.
Can you spell CLASS ACTION. Can you say damages exceeding the cost of the OS in the first place? Forget about massive migration to Vista, Linux, or Apple. There are far too many computers out there too slow to run Vista and can’t run Apple. And most people don’t want to learn anything about the command line. People will be pissed if MS screws XP, but won’t rush to newer systems.
After re-doing my mothers pc and having Microsoft tell me I had an “illegal” serial number (taken off the Microsoft sticker on the pc) and after getting countless messages upon boot and login accusing me of being a software pirate, I have forgone the spyware, virus laden operating system and installed Kubuntu-no more accusations by Microsoft, no more re-boots, and my mother loves it !
The most responsive OS is XP? Did you drink what Britney’s drinking, or did Mills-McCartney hit you with her leg? Hell, Microsoft Office… running non-native on an Intel based MBP… is still a faster application than the last three flavors of Office for Windows.
Greg already owned Improbus. You can appologize for your ignorance at any time, Imp.
Grated J.Hilll, I didn’t sample neither of the new intel Macs…so it’s not a fair comparison…
But one thing hit me when reading rants over vista in cagematch…The entry level machine will dramatically be faster in Vista days… which is great news for the rest of us using Linux or XP…unless the Vista effect just goes down the drain (which it won’t, because Vista acceptance and market share will be imposed on us by OEM brands…)