Is this the reason for the new batch of anti-Microsofters?
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After the posts I’ve left in this week’s poll discussion, I decided to do a little research to check I wasn’t just taking Microsoft’s word for it on the so called XP and .NET privacy issues and the latest "Look, Microsoft is the devil" topics. I've just spent nearly two hours reading up on countless respected news sites (and ZDNet ;)) about the latest week's anti-Microsoft proceedings and was scared at what I found in the majority of the cases. It seems many the so called ‘experts’ these reports quote from in their articles really need to do a bit of research into what the hell they are talking about. The problem is that is someone reads one of these news articles and accepts it entirely as fact; Microsoft is heading for some very big problems. If I didn’t know better I’d say that these reporters were deliberately spreading miss-information (heaven forbid such a thing). One example (which is by far the easiest to come across) what I like to call “The Angry Reporter Anti-Activation Article.” These are the guys and gals who go into great detail about how you are going to be forced to register all copies of Windows XP. Or, if they do manage to say “activation” rather than “registration”, they still claim that to be an invasion of your privacy, usually accompanied by the usual paranoia induced quote that Microsoft will use the information it gathers through the activation process for Marketing purposes. Like your country and a meaningless string of characters is really personal. Would you complain about having to keep a license plate on your car so a Traffic Warden might be able to tell if it is stolen? It’s exactly the same principle. Another example is the confusion between HailStorm and .NET. I define .NET as Microsoft themselves do: Microsoft® .NET is Microsoft's platform for creating and using Extensible Markup Language (XML)-based Web services. This platform will enable developers to create programs that transcend device boundaries and harness the connectivity of the Internet, as well as help them be more productive with their time. And I think of HailStorm as a collection of services written to run in .NET, for example the new Passport service and that calendar thingy. Whereas the vast majority of articles I came across that discussed the Passport/Hailstorm privacy issues we stating things that basically said, “HailStorm is also known as .NET”. I believe that was actually stated in those words on one account. Then they go on to say “Microsoft’s new .NET language will...”, and that
I couldn't agree with you more, David. Lots of people have been living for free off of stray Windows CDs, and now they're faced with the fact that they actually have to *buy* Windows XP (strange concept: you have to pay for software). Sorry to repeat what you said, but you hit the nail right on the head. Jon Sagara "Did you bring the butfor?" "What's a butfor?" "To poop with, silly."
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Wow - you seem to be really caught up in this. I can't cover everything you have here - I don't have the time for posts like this - but to hit just one few point - - There is no evidence that C# will ever be anything other than a Microsoft-only language. Can anyone deny that it was created for any purpose other than to promote MS's initaive du jour? MS claims that someday there will be common CLRs for all machines, capable of running all languages... uh-huh. And someday COM will be everywhere and all of the existing WIndows APIs will be implemented on top of COM. Yeah, that worked out. MS did good things back before they thought they had to control the state of every bit in the world. Now they just crank out initiatives and new "platforms" faster than the world can swallow them, and certainly faster than they themselves can build them in a reliable manner. Did anyone else catch the news blurb on CP a few days ago, about some Scottish company that specializes in helping companies convert to Windows 2000? They claim to be able to cut the transition time down to 6 months! I think the honchos at MS need to recalibrate their brains and schedules using this kind of real-world data.
It doesn't matter if C# is a Microsoft only language if it will compile to intermediate language supported by the CLR. I believe they have submitted the specs for standardisation, though what that means for the language I really couldn't tell you. I also believe a company is working on a Linux version of the CLR, though if it succeeds I doubt many hardcore Linuxers (Penguins ;P) would use it as it would be supporting a Microsoft based initiative. (Kind of like Muslims going to holy communion). David Wulff dwulff@battleaxesoftware.com
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After the posts I’ve left in this week’s poll discussion, I decided to do a little research to check I wasn’t just taking Microsoft’s word for it on the so called XP and .NET privacy issues and the latest "Look, Microsoft is the devil" topics. I've just spent nearly two hours reading up on countless respected news sites (and ZDNet ;)) about the latest week's anti-Microsoft proceedings and was scared at what I found in the majority of the cases. It seems many the so called ‘experts’ these reports quote from in their articles really need to do a bit of research into what the hell they are talking about. The problem is that is someone reads one of these news articles and accepts it entirely as fact; Microsoft is heading for some very big problems. If I didn’t know better I’d say that these reporters were deliberately spreading miss-information (heaven forbid such a thing). One example (which is by far the easiest to come across) what I like to call “The Angry Reporter Anti-Activation Article.” These are the guys and gals who go into great detail about how you are going to be forced to register all copies of Windows XP. Or, if they do manage to say “activation” rather than “registration”, they still claim that to be an invasion of your privacy, usually accompanied by the usual paranoia induced quote that Microsoft will use the information it gathers through the activation process for Marketing purposes. Like your country and a meaningless string of characters is really personal. Would you complain about having to keep a license plate on your car so a Traffic Warden might be able to tell if it is stolen? It’s exactly the same principle. Another example is the confusion between HailStorm and .NET. I define .NET as Microsoft themselves do: Microsoft® .NET is Microsoft's platform for creating and using Extensible Markup Language (XML)-based Web services. This platform will enable developers to create programs that transcend device boundaries and harness the connectivity of the Internet, as well as help them be more productive with their time. And I think of HailStorm as a collection of services written to run in .NET, for example the new Passport service and that calendar thingy. Whereas the vast majority of articles I came across that discussed the Passport/Hailstorm privacy issues we stating things that basically said, “HailStorm is also known as .NET”. I believe that was actually stated in those words on one account. Then they go on to say “Microsoft’s new .NET language will...”, and that
I have a ton of applications (20+) that I use on my computer. Lets say I'm setting up a new computer and I don't have a network connection yet. What do have to do now, make a phone call for each and every application I install? - And I thought that the whole idea was to allow cross-platform deployment of a solution in any language* because the .NET runtime would be ported to different devices/OSes? By different OSs do you mean Windows 95, 98, NT, 2000, and XP? Do you really think M$ is gonig to do the work for me to port my application to another OS like Linux or Mac?
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I have a ton of applications (20+) that I use on my computer. Lets say I'm setting up a new computer and I don't have a network connection yet. What do have to do now, make a phone call for each and every application I install? - And I thought that the whole idea was to allow cross-platform deployment of a solution in any language* because the .NET runtime would be ported to different devices/OSes? By different OSs do you mean Windows 95, 98, NT, 2000, and XP? Do you really think M$ is gonig to do the work for me to port my application to another OS like Linux or Mac?
I agree overall, but the activation procedure itself is very painful. Assuming the internet is not setup initially. How can someone pass a 40 digit (is it more ?) key over the phone ? HOw many folks will get it wrong the first time and ask him/her to repeat it a few times. I also heard you cant swap your network card, hard drives, cpu etc, once you install windows xp. XP may just stop working if it doesnt like your change. This makes sense because obviously M$ wants to tie XP to a particular hardware configuration. But, how can we replace damaged network cards, disks, or CPUs ? Can someone shed some light on what exactly can and cannot be changed after installing Windows XP ? and how MS plans to handle damaged cards which need to be replaced. Thanks= Vivek :confused: :confused:
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I agree overall, but the activation procedure itself is very painful. Assuming the internet is not setup initially. How can someone pass a 40 digit (is it more ?) key over the phone ? HOw many folks will get it wrong the first time and ask him/her to repeat it a few times. I also heard you cant swap your network card, hard drives, cpu etc, once you install windows xp. XP may just stop working if it doesnt like your change. This makes sense because obviously M$ wants to tie XP to a particular hardware configuration. But, how can we replace damaged network cards, disks, or CPUs ? Can someone shed some light on what exactly can and cannot be changed after installing Windows XP ? and how MS plans to handle damaged cards which need to be replaced. Thanks= Vivek :confused: :confused:
Just thought I would post a reference page about the hardware re-activation stuff. http://news.cnet.com/news/0-1003-200-6536843.html?tag=rltdnws Another question I am assuming MS is storing my hardware configuration in its database (or) that information is somehow trasmitted to MS. Maybe that information is encoded in the key it generates. I am sure that annoys a lot of people too.. The good news seems to be atleast in the initial release of XP, the activation stuff wont be there.;-) Thanks- Vivek
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I have a ton of applications (20+) that I use on my computer. Lets say I'm setting up a new computer and I don't have a network connection yet. What do have to do now, make a phone call for each and every application I install? - And I thought that the whole idea was to allow cross-platform deployment of a solution in any language* because the .NET runtime would be ported to different devices/OSes? By different OSs do you mean Windows 95, 98, NT, 2000, and XP? Do you really think M$ is gonig to do the work for me to port my application to another OS like Linux or Mac?
Microsoft shouldn't have to port the CLR. That is up to the other platform owners/devlopers. Would you expect Unleaded fuel to work in all petrol engines? No, if you want to use it, you should be the one to 'port' the engine. Okay, that was a crap example, but hopefully you get my point. How about if Microsoft Kitchens Incorporated released a new worktop bracket that allowed you to fix the worktop to the top of the base units more easily. Now Microsoft Kitchens obviously update their base units to work with the new bracket, but why should they spend their time and money building a new range of base units for Linus Kitchen's? Businesses just don't work as charities. David Wulff dwulff@battleaxesoftware.com
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I agree overall, but the activation procedure itself is very painful. Assuming the internet is not setup initially. How can someone pass a 40 digit (is it more ?) key over the phone ? HOw many folks will get it wrong the first time and ask him/her to repeat it a few times. I also heard you cant swap your network card, hard drives, cpu etc, once you install windows xp. XP may just stop working if it doesnt like your change. This makes sense because obviously M$ wants to tie XP to a particular hardware configuration. But, how can we replace damaged network cards, disks, or CPUs ? Can someone shed some light on what exactly can and cannot be changed after installing Windows XP ? and how MS plans to handle damaged cards which need to be replaced. Thanks= Vivek :confused: :confused:
If the internet is not setup initially, you have 30 days to activate WinXP... If you change too much hardware, WinXP won't stop working, you just have to activate it again. But acording to some tests I have read, you need to change quite a lot hardware before you need to activate again. - Anders Money talks, but all mine ever says is "Goodbye!"
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After the posts I’ve left in this week’s poll discussion, I decided to do a little research to check I wasn’t just taking Microsoft’s word for it on the so called XP and .NET privacy issues and the latest "Look, Microsoft is the devil" topics. I've just spent nearly two hours reading up on countless respected news sites (and ZDNet ;)) about the latest week's anti-Microsoft proceedings and was scared at what I found in the majority of the cases. It seems many the so called ‘experts’ these reports quote from in their articles really need to do a bit of research into what the hell they are talking about. The problem is that is someone reads one of these news articles and accepts it entirely as fact; Microsoft is heading for some very big problems. If I didn’t know better I’d say that these reporters were deliberately spreading miss-information (heaven forbid such a thing). One example (which is by far the easiest to come across) what I like to call “The Angry Reporter Anti-Activation Article.” These are the guys and gals who go into great detail about how you are going to be forced to register all copies of Windows XP. Or, if they do manage to say “activation” rather than “registration”, they still claim that to be an invasion of your privacy, usually accompanied by the usual paranoia induced quote that Microsoft will use the information it gathers through the activation process for Marketing purposes. Like your country and a meaningless string of characters is really personal. Would you complain about having to keep a license plate on your car so a Traffic Warden might be able to tell if it is stolen? It’s exactly the same principle. Another example is the confusion between HailStorm and .NET. I define .NET as Microsoft themselves do: Microsoft® .NET is Microsoft's platform for creating and using Extensible Markup Language (XML)-based Web services. This platform will enable developers to create programs that transcend device boundaries and harness the connectivity of the Internet, as well as help them be more productive with their time. And I think of HailStorm as a collection of services written to run in .NET, for example the new Passport service and that calendar thingy. Whereas the vast majority of articles I came across that discussed the Passport/Hailstorm privacy issues we stating things that basically said, “HailStorm is also known as .NET”. I believe that was actually stated in those words on one account. Then they go on to say “Microsoft’s new .NET language will...”, and that
Try to be logical for a moment - whoever is using the pirated software will also be using pirated and cracked XP, he will not have to activate anything. The whole activation will specifically "punish" the genuine copies owners, the pirated copies won't require activation.
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Try to be logical for a moment - whoever is using the pirated software will also be using pirated and cracked XP, he will not have to activate anything. The whole activation will specifically "punish" the genuine copies owners, the pirated copies won't require activation.
whoever is using the pirated software will also be using pirated and cracked XP I'm not so sure about that. There's a lot of people out there who is using a copy of a friends Windows. I don't think all those people is interested in downloading cracks. Using a friens CD, might not seem as illegal as downloading cracked versions. Just my 2 cents... - Anders Money talks, but all mine ever says is "Goodbye!"
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Try to be logical for a moment - whoever is using the pirated software will also be using pirated and cracked XP, he will not have to activate anything. The whole activation will specifically "punish" the genuine copies owners, the pirated copies won't require activation.
As I said in a previous discussion: WPA is NOT designed to stop the determinied from getting around it, it is designed to stop the everyday casual theft that occurs without people thinking about it. I should know as before I started getting enough money I was the guy bringing home copies of the Windows and Office CD's to install on my home PDC and laptop. Now I don't need to, but more importantly I wouldn't be able to without specifically looking to crack it. I think you'll find amny people find it easier to steal software in this way when they don't have to physically do anything to steal it. It is easier to justify it that way. Most casual pirates probably don't want to be pirates. And of course, many still don't realise they can't just share their CDs. David Wulff dwulff@battleaxesoftware.com
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As I said in a previous discussion: WPA is NOT designed to stop the determinied from getting around it, it is designed to stop the everyday casual theft that occurs without people thinking about it. I should know as before I started getting enough money I was the guy bringing home copies of the Windows and Office CD's to install on my home PDC and laptop. Now I don't need to, but more importantly I wouldn't be able to without specifically looking to crack it. I think you'll find amny people find it easier to steal software in this way when they don't have to physically do anything to steal it. It is easier to justify it that way. Most casual pirates probably don't want to be pirates. And of course, many still don't realise they can't just share their CDs. David Wulff dwulff@battleaxesoftware.com
Well, you could still bring it home from work if you wanted to because the MSDN Universal subscriptions give a version of Office XP that doesn't require a CD key or product Activiation at all. I was amazed. Jason Gerard, Master of Kung Foo
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whoever is using the pirated software will also be using pirated and cracked XP I'm not so sure about that. There's a lot of people out there who is using a copy of a friends Windows. I don't think all those people is interested in downloading cracks. Using a friens CD, might not seem as illegal as downloading cracked versions. Just my 2 cents... - Anders Money talks, but all mine ever says is "Goodbye!"
And if he gets the cracked version from a friend as a CD?:) As far as I know corporate buyers of XP will not be required to activate, only retails buyers will. I am sure most pirate copies of Windows are those that people take from the office and install at home (and maybe give to their friends), so activation will change nothing in terms of piracy. But the private individual who buys windows, or a pc with windows installed, or the small business will be affected, with the person most affected – the small time software developer. If I buy a new pc with XP installed and want to run XP on my other PC, and put my current version of win2k on the new machine, apparently I no longer have the right. Also if I want to install multiple test configurations, I no longer have the right. At present I can because I own msdn, but as far as I can tell even msdn users will be required to activate their XP – does that mean everytime I reinstall XP, or put a test installation on another pc I need to phone Microsoft up saying yes it is still me please give me another code. (it might just be easier to ask a friend to give me a copy from the office - activation even promoting piracy!) [OK I know it will run for 30 days, but it is the thought that counts.] I in fact own 3 pcs, but one jaz drive, one dvd, one cd rw, one scanner (scsi card) etc, and even though they are networked, often change the configurations, including swapping components. All I can see for now is that there is no interest for me to use XP as my main OS. I do not believe software should be tied to hardware, but to a person. If I buy a copy of some software I should have the right to reinstall it as I want on whatever machine I want, as long as it is me using the software. I am sure that most people who buy windows do not give it to someone else as they have paid for it so why should they give it to someone for free. So the problem will stay the same i.e. those who take their copy for free from the office, are those that are more willing to give a copy to someone else. Leo
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After the posts I’ve left in this week’s poll discussion, I decided to do a little research to check I wasn’t just taking Microsoft’s word for it on the so called XP and .NET privacy issues and the latest "Look, Microsoft is the devil" topics. I've just spent nearly two hours reading up on countless respected news sites (and ZDNet ;)) about the latest week's anti-Microsoft proceedings and was scared at what I found in the majority of the cases. It seems many the so called ‘experts’ these reports quote from in their articles really need to do a bit of research into what the hell they are talking about. The problem is that is someone reads one of these news articles and accepts it entirely as fact; Microsoft is heading for some very big problems. If I didn’t know better I’d say that these reporters were deliberately spreading miss-information (heaven forbid such a thing). One example (which is by far the easiest to come across) what I like to call “The Angry Reporter Anti-Activation Article.” These are the guys and gals who go into great detail about how you are going to be forced to register all copies of Windows XP. Or, if they do manage to say “activation” rather than “registration”, they still claim that to be an invasion of your privacy, usually accompanied by the usual paranoia induced quote that Microsoft will use the information it gathers through the activation process for Marketing purposes. Like your country and a meaningless string of characters is really personal. Would you complain about having to keep a license plate on your car so a Traffic Warden might be able to tell if it is stolen? It’s exactly the same principle. Another example is the confusion between HailStorm and .NET. I define .NET as Microsoft themselves do: Microsoft® .NET is Microsoft's platform for creating and using Extensible Markup Language (XML)-based Web services. This platform will enable developers to create programs that transcend device boundaries and harness the connectivity of the Internet, as well as help them be more productive with their time. And I think of HailStorm as a collection of services written to run in .NET, for example the new Passport service and that calendar thingy. Whereas the vast majority of articles I came across that discussed the Passport/Hailstorm privacy issues we stating things that basically said, “HailStorm is also known as .NET”. I believe that was actually stated in those words on one account. Then they go on to say “Microsoft’s new .NET language will...”, and that
PLEASE DON'T OBFUSCATE THE ISSUE OF PRIVACY WITH PIRACY. People with legal copies of Win XP would have legitimate concerns of privacy. You may want to read these this article by Stewart Alsop: http://www.fortune.com/indexw.jhtml?channel=artcol.jhtml&doc\_id=203359 Microsoft certainly deserves credit for C#, CLR and other terrific innovations. Passport and Hailstorm are good but couldn't Microsoft have thought up of alternative architectures? Why should a single entity have so much info about citizens? No one except the government should. Maybe even the government shouldn't! Microsoft has failed miserably on the PR front as far as privacy concerns go. Besides, why does XP require Raw Sockets? Do they want a TCP/MS? http://www.pbs.org/cringely/pulpit/pulpit20010802.html --Neelesh
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Try to be logical for a moment - whoever is using the pirated software will also be using pirated and cracked XP, he will not have to activate anything. The whole activation will specifically "punish" the genuine copies owners, the pirated copies won't require activation.
Right you are, sir! XP activation will simply punish the genuine retail user who are "helping out" their neighbours. Is this kind of piracy as bad as the one done by real pirates out on the sea? Or the professional crackers? Its a point of introspection. --Neelesh
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Microsoft shouldn't have to port the CLR. That is up to the other platform owners/devlopers. Would you expect Unleaded fuel to work in all petrol engines? No, if you want to use it, you should be the one to 'port' the engine. Okay, that was a crap example, but hopefully you get my point. How about if Microsoft Kitchens Incorporated released a new worktop bracket that allowed you to fix the worktop to the top of the base units more easily. Now Microsoft Kitchens obviously update their base units to work with the new bracket, but why should they spend their time and money building a new range of base units for Linus Kitchen's? Businesses just don't work as charities. David Wulff dwulff@battleaxesoftware.com
I guess you know this: Microsoft is porting it to FreeBSD. Corel has been hired by Microsoft for .NET porting. Mono (http://www.go-mono.net)is implementing it for Linux. GNU (http://www.gnu.org) has its own dotGNU initiative. Free software doesn't work off charity. --Neelesh
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Microsoft shouldn't have to port the CLR. That is up to the other platform owners/devlopers. Would you expect Unleaded fuel to work in all petrol engines? No, if you want to use it, you should be the one to 'port' the engine. Okay, that was a crap example, but hopefully you get my point. How about if Microsoft Kitchens Incorporated released a new worktop bracket that allowed you to fix the worktop to the top of the base units more easily. Now Microsoft Kitchens obviously update their base units to work with the new bracket, but why should they spend their time and money building a new range of base units for Linus Kitchen's? Businesses just don't work as charities. David Wulff dwulff@battleaxesoftware.com
I guess you know this: Microsoft is porting it to FreeBSD. Corel has been hired by Microsoft for .NET porting. Mono (http://www.go-mono.net)is implementing it for Linux. GNU (http://www.gnu.org) has its own dotGNU initiative. Free software doesn't work off charity. --Neelesh
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And if he gets the cracked version from a friend as a CD?:) As far as I know corporate buyers of XP will not be required to activate, only retails buyers will. I am sure most pirate copies of Windows are those that people take from the office and install at home (and maybe give to their friends), so activation will change nothing in terms of piracy. But the private individual who buys windows, or a pc with windows installed, or the small business will be affected, with the person most affected – the small time software developer. If I buy a new pc with XP installed and want to run XP on my other PC, and put my current version of win2k on the new machine, apparently I no longer have the right. Also if I want to install multiple test configurations, I no longer have the right. At present I can because I own msdn, but as far as I can tell even msdn users will be required to activate their XP – does that mean everytime I reinstall XP, or put a test installation on another pc I need to phone Microsoft up saying yes it is still me please give me another code. (it might just be easier to ask a friend to give me a copy from the office - activation even promoting piracy!) [OK I know it will run for 30 days, but it is the thought that counts.] I in fact own 3 pcs, but one jaz drive, one dvd, one cd rw, one scanner (scsi card) etc, and even though they are networked, often change the configurations, including swapping components. All I can see for now is that there is no interest for me to use XP as my main OS. I do not believe software should be tied to hardware, but to a person. If I buy a copy of some software I should have the right to reinstall it as I want on whatever machine I want, as long as it is me using the software. I am sure that most people who buy windows do not give it to someone else as they have paid for it so why should they give it to someone for free. So the problem will stay the same i.e. those who take their copy for free from the office, are those that are more willing to give a copy to someone else. Leo
If I buy a new pc with XP installed and want to run XP on my other PC, and put my current version of win2k on the new machine, apparently I no longer have the right. Of course you do, providing neither your new PC nor the Windows 2000 one have an especially restrictive license. Together with 'activation' there is 'deactivation' whereby you can untie a copy of the OS from one machine to install it on another. How else do you think people will upgrade/replace their machines? Also if I want to install multiple test configurations, I no longer have the right You currently only have the right to use non-corporate version of any version of Windows on one machine at a time. You can still install more than one copy of Windows XP on your machine as you can currently. If you want to install it on more than one test machine then you will need to (and currently you will need to) choose the appropriate license (e.g. a developer license). ... even msdn users will be required to activate their XP. I doubt that would be the case. Development systems (both the ones we develop on and test machines) are by their very nature going to require re-installation of the OS (when we developers mess up the system ;)). If I buy a copy of some software I should have the right to reinstall it as I want on whatever machine I want, as long as it is me using the software. God no. That implies that you should be able to install work copies of software at home, seeing as you will be using both. That is piracy in it’s most obvious form. I am sure that most people who buy windows do not give it to someone else as they have paid for it so why should they give it to someone for free. So the BSC, etc, are all wrong? I have had many friends and colleagues come up to me and say, “I’ve just bought such and such version X.0. Would you like me to lend it to you?” Maybe you can’t see it happening but it does – everywhere. David Wulff dwulff@battleaxesoftware.com
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Right you are, sir! XP activation will simply punish the genuine retail user who are "helping out" their neighbours. Is this kind of piracy as bad as the one done by real pirates out on the sea? Or the professional crackers? Its a point of introspection. --Neelesh
Er... yes. Theft is theft. You can't use the starving man stealing a loaf of bread to feed his family excuse here. David Wulff dwulff@battleaxesoftware.com
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PLEASE DON'T OBFUSCATE THE ISSUE OF PRIVACY WITH PIRACY. People with legal copies of Win XP would have legitimate concerns of privacy. You may want to read these this article by Stewart Alsop: http://www.fortune.com/indexw.jhtml?channel=artcol.jhtml&doc\_id=203359 Microsoft certainly deserves credit for C#, CLR and other terrific innovations. Passport and Hailstorm are good but couldn't Microsoft have thought up of alternative architectures? Why should a single entity have so much info about citizens? No one except the government should. Maybe even the government shouldn't! Microsoft has failed miserably on the PR front as far as privacy concerns go. Besides, why does XP require Raw Sockets? Do they want a TCP/MS? http://www.pbs.org/cringely/pulpit/pulpit20010802.html --Neelesh
[note, this answers the same questions which you posted in the poll discususion, and some of my quotes may be from there] You have only linked to articles I have already read. Try reading a few more and start comparing the differences. I am glad you remembered the Cringely article... I'm not so sure. Can you please point me to some link that says so? I'm using my home machine at the moment, so I can't check my browsers history from Friday afternoon, but rest assured I will post a couple of links on Monday morning. Why should a single entity have so much info on citizens? No one except the government should. Some would argue that even the government shouldn’t, but that isn't the issue we are discussing here. Microsoft will not have any more data than you are willing to give them, and they can only use it for purposes that you have previously agreed to. They are governed by the US equivalent of the British Data Protection Act 1980. You could give them your credit card numbers and they couldn't use them without your permission. Companies are covered by the same basic rules as the government when it comes to data assimilation and protection. People just assume Microsoft will break the law because they can (and I am talking about serious legal ethics here, not possible anti-competitive practises). David Wulff dwulff@battleaxesoftware.com
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whoever is using the pirated software will also be using pirated and cracked XP I'm not so sure about that. There's a lot of people out there who is using a copy of a friends Windows. I don't think all those people is interested in downloading cracks. Using a friens CD, might not seem as illegal as downloading cracked versions. Just my 2 cents... - Anders Money talks, but all mine ever says is "Goodbye!"