Microsoft Corp’s upcoming Windows Vista computer operating system will include technology that is designed to prevent pirated copies from fully functioning, the software giant said.
Reduced functionality is already a part of the Windows XP activation process, but Windows Vista will have a reduced functionality mode that is enhanced, Microsoft said on its Web site on Wednesday.
Microsoft said the upcoming releases of Windows Vista and also Windows Server “Longhorn” will be the first two products to ship with the new anti-piracy measures included, but more Microsoft products will eventually adopt the technology.
Windows Vista systems must activate with Microsoft as genuine within 30 days and failure to do so will result in “reduced functionality mode” until successful validation occurs, Microsoft said.
Customers that use genuine versions of Windows Vista will get an enhanced set of features that will not work on non-genuine or unlicensed versions of Vista, it said.
Users of non-genuine Windows Vista software will also be notified by the appearance of a persistent statement in the lower right hand corner of their desktop that reads: “This copy of Windows is not genuine.”
Naughty, naughty. Spanky-spank!
I imagine most of the folks who visit with DU know exactly how this will play out. The copy protection will be cracked by people who want genuine Fair Use — and the technique will get passed around. The copy protection will be cracked by the for-real pirates who want to make bucks from doing so — and the technique will get passed around.
The poor schlubs who either buy an “upgrade” or a shiny new copy will get to deal with all the screw-ups, put-backs and hassle of proving who the heck they are when they change a video card or whatever. And IT managers — the poor buggers who get to try and make this work on a large scale — you all have my sympathy.
Build a better mouse trap!
My company has a volume license for Windows XP. Recently, after a Windows update, IIS stopped working. ASP pages give a “ASP 0201 Invalid Scripting Language” error. Discussion forums on the Net have no solution for the problem.
Apparently, when WGA has vague doubts about the genuineness of a Windows installation, it cripples the OS.
I then found an article on the Net that went something like this “When Will All The Windows Boxes Stop Working?”
The author correctly concluded that Microsoft is not likely change its ways anytime soon.
Sorry guys, but #35, Mike V. got it right. MS sells to the unwashed masses. The geekish crowd might prefer Linux or Apple, and that is fine because MS isn’t selling to them. Most PC sales are to people who want them to work right out of the box. Even IT managers don’t want to spend time configuring computers.
MS is happy with only 90% of the market. They won’t change their strategy to increase their meager market share. At least not until Vista fails to garner large after market sales.
MIS managers love microsoft because it keeps them employed.
Hardware and software comanpies love microsoft as they rol out new products.
Uncle same loves it for the taxes.
charitys love it……..more donations as bill makes more he gives more.
Hackers and virus programerss love it because its something new to F with.
And yes consumers love microsoft for the new features.
Its a win win for everyone.
Thanks for the responses to my post, everybody.
I happen to personally own/use all three of the main OSs. Windows remains my favorite — but only because it runs the apps I want. Seriously. It’s only the apps. I have no loyalty to MS and some resentment. So I understand Mike’s #35s point.
If an independent cartel did make a move on Microsoft, they’d need to convince the big software companies to write for the new OS… which might bring the hammer down from Microsoft. Microsoft certainly has proven themselves to be predatorial that way.
I still believe we need a total paradigm shift in computers to take the industry to another level. The next generation OS has to be totally transparent so people are buying the function, not the OS or even the hardware. To sell the computer, you sell the function.
Most likely that function will be entertainment and, specifically, on-line media.
I think we should allow digital copying of software, and Microsoft should not allow any DRM/WGA in the software, and should not complain about any copying by customers.
40 I still believe we need a total paradigm shift in computers to take the industry to another level.
Yes.
I thought there as a chance for this, years ago, when there was a push for the document-centric model vice the application-centric model. OpenDoc
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/OpenDoc
Now, I’m hoping that the virtualization technology makes which OS we use a moot point. M$ tried to kill Netscape to keep the browser from making the OS a moot point. Curious to se how they react to virtualization.
#25 If Gates (and others) would learn that they can charge in the higher range ($50-$100) of the shareware prices, then I (and most people) will still buy their software legally instead of pirated copies.
In the developing world, some print publishers have figured this out — reduce the price enough to beat the pirates but still make a profit. Even in the Third World, people will pay more for a quality copy of something… but they simply CAN NOT afford several months of salary for a copy of Windows.
the “Dummies” books seem to be doing this well — I can buy them in India for less than half the US price. (Maybe even a third.) The paper isn’t as good and it usually doesn’t come with the CD but it’s priced much more appropriately for the local economy.
I think Microsoft is trying this strategy but I haven’t heard how they’re doing. One big hurdle, seems to me, is that if people pay a month’s income for Windows they will expect tech support. Is Microsoft prepared to offter than in every language for free or for a fee people can afford?
By the way, another paradigm shift we need in computers is to get rid of the boot-up. It’s just rediculous to have to sit there and wait for a computer to load-up. All that computing power and we are made to just stare at the dang thing.
Of course, I understand that “boot-ups” are needed on all electronics but computers should be like phones, digital cameras, DVD players etc — just a few seconds to power up with no perception of a boot process.
In this regard, all the three major OSs fail. (My Palm OS is good, though. Does it remain running when the power is off? Maybe.)