Selected comments from: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/technology/5144698.stm ============================================== *Have you had any problems with Microsoft's anti-piracy tool? How big a problem do you think counterfeit software is?
* After being told I would have to buy a new Windows Licence after upgrading my motherboard I told MS where to go. Now a very happy Linux user. */AndyB, Newport IW ===== /* If Microsoft really want to combat piracy and stop the use of counterfeit copies, they should lower the extortionate prices of the genuine versions so everyone can afford them. People can't afford to be spending £50-£100 or more on one piece of software every time they update. Especially when most software for all other playforms comes in at less than £35 at the highest. If you own a genuine copy then you should get free upgrades for life in my opinion. */Liam, Doncaster, England, UK ===== /*This is another example of Microsoft treating all of its users as if they were criminals. Perhaps it would be prudent to give user with invalid windows serials 3-5 chances to enter a valid serial without having to reinstall? I personally have a laptop with an 'illegal' serial installed, soley because the sticker with the valid one is on the underside, and so awkward to reach! */Andrew Watkins, Glasgow, Scotland =====/* If Microsoft are adament "key codes blocked...are illegal" why did a brand new Packard Bell purchased from PC World not pass? A total shambles me thinks....and they don't appear to want to do anything about it. An attempt to exaggerate the problem so they can legally insist we all have Microsoft spyware on our PC perhaps? */Sarah, London, UK ===== /* As a freelance IT technician, I have experienced my fair share of WGA problems. From a simple error indicating that a legitimate copy is actually illegal (even with the holographic sticker on the side of the machine), to a more general problem of people who do not have broadband. One of my clients has become very frustrated that each time her machine is booted, it tries to dial the internet which she has to repeatedly cancel. We are already seeing swarms of modified WGA downloads available via a simple Google search. This will now make it even more difficult as you don't know if the installed version of WGA is even genuine, let alone the copy of Windows XP itself. I completely understand the need to reduce piracy, but maybe this facility should have been integrated into Windows Vista as standard, rather than causing problems with countless existing systems. Software piracy is a problem, and as I write software myself, I too see the need to protect ones itellectual rights. I do however feel that eventually software will turn to Unix/Linux's approach and be free to use, but paid for via technical support. */Matt Silvester, Birmingham, England ===== /* "Customers have been crying out for a tool which could tell them if they have been duped" - Why can't Microsoft be honest? I don't know anyone whos is crying out to know if their copy of Windows is genuine. Microsoft just want to crack down on piracy. I think that piracy is a problem, but I believe that if Microsoft were to reduce the price of their software, more people would buy it in the first place. */Paul Waterman, Poole, UK ===== /**/ /*I refuse to install this tool becuase I've already authenticated my copy of Windows XP once. Oh, and maybe if the operating system was cheaper and more stable, more people would pay for it in the first place! */Jimbo, Bolton, Lancashire, UK ===== /*My brand new, out-of-the-box Dell computer is telling me that the installation of XP is not genuine ... so much for Microsoft being "100% adamant that key codes blocked by WGA are illegal" */Paul Read, Ashford, UK ===== /*Piracy can be stamped out at source, or at end user level. However if MS are not careful about how they stamp out piracy, many more people will migrate to Linux, which is free to copy and offers equivalent functionality for the majority of users. */David Knight, Gloucester, United Kingdom =====/**/ /*I had a laptop trashed by the install disk that Microsoft sent after I paid up as a result of WGA. I now intend to sue Microsoft for (a) fraudulent misrepresentation, (b) offences under the Computer Misuse Act, and (c) criminal damage. I intend to seek damages for the hardware, and also for all licence fees for other (non-MS) software held on the damaged machine. */Richard Pennington, Camberley, UK ===== /* The WGA tool is a complete blunder. First when it installs its self it claims to be a component of windows update more so than WGA and is misleading. Secondly it does not work. Windows XP does not allow you to upgrade effectively. If you changed from an AMD to and Intel CPU it would almost certainly break. You would reinstall it and use the same key. You would then go to windows update which would then say the key has been used on two PCs when all you have done is upgrade. So it's up to you, you can spend £100 extra everytime you upgrade your system to pay for a new key or not be able to update windows or get extra pieces of software for it that require WGA. I'm shocked that nothing about this SERIOUS issue has been mentioned in this article. */Joey Bartlett, London, UK ===== /* */AND FINALLY........... /* Yeah I had a counterfeit copy off the web. When WGA started complaining I downloaded and installed a patch to remove it. */Calvin Broadus, Stepford, UK ===== /* ** -- Adi D. Jayanto "Small chance could move the world" Official Web Site : http://www.awari.or.id Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/asosiasi-warnet/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! 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