MS Vista PC Police software
p2pnet.net News:- New Microsoft PC Police software will arrest (quite literally) computers it thinks might be running unauthorized copies of the company’s upcoming Vista O/S.
"Failing to activate the software with a genuine product key within 30 days will cause the software to operate with ‘reduced functionality’," says the company," according to The Boston Globe.
"Microsoft will begin using a new set of technologies called the Software Protection Platform that deny users of pirated software access to features such as security protections and the new Vista design," and, "this copy of Windows is not genuine" will turn up in the lower right-hand corner of the computer screen.
The software will, "curtail functionality much further by restricting users to just the Web browser for an hour at a time, said Thomas Lindeman, Microsoft senior product manager," says the Associated Press, going on:
"Under those circumstances, a person could use the browser to surf the Web, get documents on the hard drive or log onto Web-based e-mail. But the user would not be able to directly open documents from the computer desktop or run other programs such as Outlook e-mail software, Lindeman said.
"Microsoft said it won’t stop a computer running pirated Vista software from working completely, and it will continue to deliver critical security updates."
It was a PR disaster when Bill and the Boyz launched their Windows Not-So-Genuine Advantage to allow the comapny to ferret around inside your system to make sure you weren’t not running MS software you didn’t buy, and to phone home if it thought that was happening.
It didn’t take long for someone to find a cure for that, and it probably won’t take long for the same thing to happen to Vista, which’ll be released on only one (presumably crackable) DVD.
Also See:
The Boston Globe – New Windows OS to include antipiracy features, October 5, 2006
Associated Press – Microsoft to step up anti-piracy stance, October 5, 2006
a cure – Disable Microsoft WGA, June 24, 2006
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October 5th, 2006 at 1:04 pm
… doing EVERYTHING they can to push people to Linux, At the
very least, they are discouraging any thoughts of upgrading.
It’s one thing to demand an activation on first sale.
It’s another to have to worry about being accused of theivery
on a regular basis, and have to “prove your honesty” to
Monopolysoft on demand.
Of course, with their monpoly power, they don’t HAVE to worry
about who wants it.
You’ll have it anyway, like it or not.
October 5th, 2006 at 5:41 pm
>doing EVERYTHING they can to push people to Linux
How do you figure that?
Frankly, they’re looking to protect the enormous investment they put into the development and delivery of their product. I can’t blame MS for wanting people to purchase the software they use. There are thousands upon thousands of people that are probably running unlicensed versions of WinXP. Microsoft wants every opportunity to get paid for that use. How can you blame them for that? Say what you will about the tactics they employ, but unless you can come up with a better way, keep quiet.
Their tactics will not push more people to linux. It will only annoy the privacy advocates, and the people looking to get software for free. The average user probably won’t notice anything different, especially since they buy their computers pre-loaded with Vista.
Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t have anything to hide, but at the same time, I don’t like people snooping around in my stuff, especially not knowing the exact extent of what they’re doing. But I have to give MS credit for at least trying to get paid.
October 5th, 2006 at 6:34 pm
Well, it’s obvious that unrestrained capitalism is doing great things for humanity…
Do you really think that the most ruthless are going to have your best interests in mind? I’m not talking about just MS here.
P.S. I’ll switch to Linux rather than use Vista.
P.P.S. Since you seem to think they’re so wonderful you might consider sending Microsoft a donation, them being so benevolent and needy and all.
October 5th, 2006 at 10:19 pm
Crackers.
October 6th, 2006 at 1:06 am
“Their tactics will not push more people to linux.”
Oh yes, it will.
October 6th, 2006 at 3:52 pm
I’m with the previous poster, piracy will always exist, no matter of how much you try to lock down the system, so in the end there’s the usual thought to keep in mind: how far can I lock down my system until the end users of my system become so angry they cease to use it?
I think microsoft has stepped over my boundaries in this matter since from what I’ve seen of vista it aims to completely surrender the control of my computer to the redmond folks. So, I’ll use my xp version for as long as I can, then dump it for a suitable linux distro which supports the necessary microsoft applications and then never look back again.
And, from what I’m hearing from the corporate world, they too aren’t too excited about the lockdown features of vista, microsofts aim is to force it’s corporate customers to .. get this, REPORT IN every 30 days or so to validate their number of used clients. Yeah, imagine the response to THAT when it hits the market.
This in combination with some good marketing from some other operating systems manufacturers might make microsoft loose a substantial percent of their current market share, and by the gods, I hope they do. Microsoft needs to be re-educated to the simple truth that if you treat your customers like shit, they’ll buy their stuff elsewhere.
October 7th, 2006 at 8:30 am
Nothing here.