Microsoft dumps Private Folder
p2p news / p2pnet: Microsoft has had nothing but trouble with its Windows Genuine (dis)Advantage program, labelled spyware by some, and now serious pronlems have arisen with its Private Folder 1.0.
Created for storing private data and protecting it with a password, and only just launched, it’s already been yanked.
“Many people and business customers expressed concern over how the application would be used,” says DailyTech News.
The feature was introduced as a free download last week and, “Almost immediately, people raised questions over how businesses would grapple with the ability of individual workers to encrypt their data,” says CNET News, quoting Microsoft as saying, “"Private Folder 1.0 was designed as a benefit for customers running genuine Windows.”
The installer places My Private Folder, “ right on the desktop,” observes Wolfy on MSBlog.
“So basically you’re telling everyone you HAVE something you’d like to keep private, causing others to wonder what you have to hide.”
Meanwhile, My Folder wasn’t even dreamed up by Bill and the Boyz, says Daniel Goldleaf, going on, “ After having to call Microsoft to reactivate Windows (WGA apparently didn’t recognize my Genuine Copy of Windows), I had told the Microsoft Support Tech. on the other end about my idea when she asked me about what had happened.
“Apparently, after hearing of my idea, Microsoft developed it into ‘My Private Folder’. Sooo, I, of course, think My Private Folder is great idea.
"But, it looks like Microsoft doesn’t see fit to give me credit for the idea, now that they have ran with it and developed it. I guess they don’t have to, as I don’t get my paycheck from Microsoft for trying to help them develop their software, and in make it more secure.
“The little guy doesn’t really have a chance against the giants like Microsoft with copyrights and patents in this day and age, Oh well.”
Earlier, Goldleaf states:
“If you want to stop being the little guy, and start being the big guy, I’d recommend starting by not making recommendations to Microsoft support techs about features which already exist in software form somewhere else, and then complaining when Microsoft does the same thing. I suspect that’s more your problem than patents and copyrights.”
Also See:
Genuine (dis)Advantage – WGA worm shows up, July 4, 2006
DailyTech News – Microsoft Removes Private Folder 1.0 App, July 16, 2006
CNET News – Microsoft shutters Windows private folders, July 14, 2006
MSBlog – Microsoft Private Folder 1.0, July 6, 2006
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