[PCWorld]

Post your comments for Microsoft's Copy Protection:Time to Mend It--Or End It here

[steekyjim]

It's amazing and shocking how Microsoft treats all their customers like potential criminals. when you buy something it should be yours, you shouldn't have the seller checking up on you all the time to make sure it's not been stolen. Oh well, I use Ubuntu so I dont have to worry about validating my software. They don't treat me like a criminal :-)

[mike744]

Thank god I bought verizon's tech help, 30 hours of screen sharing & 3 way conection's w/ microsoft & most of the problem's are fixed. However after all this time & microsoft still has not sent the new XP Pro disk, after they promised to do so. Mike

[cal67]

I wonder how many people who knowingly use pirated copies of Windows have decided to pony up for legitimate versions due to WGA? I doubt that the number is very high. I think most people tend to use or not use pirated/legitimate software based on their viewpoint on "intellectual property" rights and/or, in all honesty, their ability to afford the software they believe they need. That being said, why does Microsoft need to reverify that I haven't stolen my OS and installed it on my computer? Most people would not get overly upset if one day they got pulled over by a cop who wanted to check to ensure that the car they were driving wasn't stolen, but if the same cop pulled you over every week for the same "reason", I doubt that they would put up with it for long.

[Toulinwoek]

I think cal67 makes a very good point. I don't have a problem with MS wanting to validate the legitimacy of my copy of Windows, but every time they feel like it (basically) is just over the top.
The problem is, however, you journalists and us commenting consumers aren't likely to effect any change because none of it is going to put a greater dent in MS's profits than the piracy to which they perceive they are losing money. In other words, if they think they are losing more money to piracy than they stand to lose from grumblers like us dumping Windows for some other OS, they will simply stay the current course.
Microsoft is a stockholder-owned company; you own enough stock and you'll get behind WGA too...folks want that MONEY!
Sad, but true.

[advoc8]

Microsoft acts like this because they DO have a virtual monopoly and know or think they can get away with just about anything... This is simply the resulting attitude of a monopoly or virtual monopoly.

Microsoft will bust their their own monopoly and sink their own company through this exact practice. This is how all monopolies have gone bust. Microsoft executives should read up on history. Also, when amy parasite becomes to too aggressive it simply does itself in...

[MildUser]

Let's be fair. MS has its legitimate right. Sure, go ahead and protect it. After all, we are just holding a license to use. And mind you, one machine one copy only. Pay if you have multiple machines. Simple logic, eh.
My argument is this: IF MS wants to protect its legal rights, please do it with 100% certainty 24/7 (364 and quarter days a year, no adjustment for leap year please) or money back gurantee. Simple, eh. Fair?
Why can't MS have a business model like acrobat reader, that differentiate between individual users and corporate users. As individuals, we do not utilize the many bloated features of most softwares and still have to pay, pay and pay for endless upgrades, and worst still, prevented from upgrading for other peoples mistakes, (interpreted MS).
Think about it MS. It's good business advise. And it's FREE, too. NO CHARGE at all.

[Barrington]

I think that the USA and European governments should prosecute Microsoft millions of pounds sterling (UK) each and every time they cause problems with each and every computer.

It is extremely difficult to get Microsoft to solve the problem that they created, free of charge, even when dealing with the UK Escalation Team and the Indian Technicians responsible for the UK.

I think that if Microsoft and other companies were prosecuted - including for HDMI and HDCP by Sony etcetera at least one hundred million pounds for each offence committed - editors covering problems should also be prosecuted - conspiracy - soon solve problems.

Prosecute the CEOs also would solve the speeding-up of numerous problems faced by consumers.

Consumers should receive proper compensations by culprits also.

[chastx1981]

After purchasing 3 copies of Vista, for my desktop, notebook, and wifes computer, and having to purchase an additional copy after i upgraded my gaming computer, i said no more, time to move to Apple OS X. It took time to get used to , but i find it more productive and entertaining than Windows. Specially since nearly all Windows software has a counterport on MAC. I have used Windows ever since 3.0 and now WGA and WPA are getting to upsered. Time for microsoft to start taking after Apple and trusting there customers to do the right thing, instead of trying to play God with peoples computeres. MAC sales has increased greatly this year, and alot of people switched from Widows to the MAC , why because of these annoying features microsoft is doing to protect there money. Want a real computer experience without the hastles of WPA and WGA get a MAC. They are even cheaper now days!!!!!!

[Barrington]

I am 99% certain that Microsoft and Sony etcetera claiming that their security is to prevent privacy is actually and literally a con!

The purpose it appear is to sell more products.

For example, the attitude of too many staff is to tell the consumer either to upgrade, buy a replacement product or pay for the culprits to solve the problems created by their own anti-piracy softwares.

Then there are too many editors instead of properly investigating promote the false propaganda by the culprits.

I think that Sony admitted that one of the problems with reduced sells were not entirely, because of piracy, but that the DVD cases were too big and retailers and consumers were running out of storage space that is why some DVD cases were and are bein made narrower.

The prinicple problem with having an Apple Computer is that too many software packages don't work with Apple.

[Barrington]

I have just replied to a message.

Referring to web page:-
http://www.pcworld.com/article/vote/id,138125/thanks.html
Verifies also that Microsoft would not be allowing people with pirated copy to use IE 7 (Internet Explorer 7) browser if it was actully there principal to fight pirates - and also I think that claims of piracy are substantially exagerrated.

It was possible for me to prove that none of my software were pirated:-
1) Microsoft UK Escalation Team contacted my computer manufacturer.
2) Microsoft in Germany who deals with replacing faulty disks, actually supplied with discs.
3) Indian technicians eventually after about a year stated that the disks were illegal. I think that on the disk it stated not for OEM or retail use/ sale. This is despite that I was given replacement Key Registration Codes, because Microsoft anti-piracy software changed the keys probably after formatting C: or installing certain software programs.

Consumers should be compensated properly

[Irisheagle]

So i think it Would be a safe bet to say That, if MS doesn't fix WGA,
we're going to be hearing about Harrassment Lawsuits From the constant validation process. Like someone said, you only Let a policeman Pull you over so many times before being a lagitimite case for harrassment...Right. Oh boy!! i can't wait for that day.
That will be an article to read....LOL

[MLStrand56]

Mickeysoft sells Windows in China for $60 & Rips off americans for $500 for the same product. Until Uncle Bill sells Windows for the same $60 in USA, They deserve all the piracy they get!!!!!

[nf2000]

"Windows Genuine Advantage"... pfff

Microsoft is trying to milk its cash cow before it dies -- the cash cow, not Microsoft. With Apple competing on quality and Linux/OpenOffice competing on price, Microsoft knows their two main products -- Windows and Office -- will become commodities.

And, as any strategy text book will tell you, "cash cows exhibit a return on assets that is greater than the market growth rate, and thus generate more cash than they consume. Such business units should be "milked", extracting the profits and investing as little cash as possible".

Since they know the cash cow is dying, they must get the maximum return, as soon as possible.

The conundrum is: if they force too much, the cash cow dies erlier; if they leave piracy rampant, they won't get all the return they can.

[RTShaw]

lost most control of my fingers so pleaqe bear with me, it hurts like hell 2 type.
i am so sick of re-verifying my vista is real. i have at least 15 msgs from microsux & 11 calls. i'm bedridden & terminal and they are worried about the disabled access & problems with vista genuine & UAC. their customer vista relations dept called today and asked about WGa & UAC they wanted my feedback. i asked then if they wanted the truth they said yes so i gave it t em.
some of what i said reguarding WGA it sucks and since july i asked how 2 stop it from consistently saying this vista may not be genuine. i aslo told em my 15 yeasr old could do better (he can so can i) microsoft to me is microsux u should fire the entire staff and start fresh. ofcourse they wont. - i told em lost more in very unpleasent langauge. wonder will they call me tomorrow too.

[uesquebeathus]

during the MS Activation crack up a week past thursday, the windowsupdate system downloaded Windows Desktop Search Tool into my computer, the result was an extremely slow computer, which is the problem with WDST/WSUS so far. I removed the WDST and the next thing was a message to tell me to reactivate my operating system. Which I tried to do, a voice came on requesting if the operating system was in the computer when I purchased the computer, i answered "NO" which was the truth, as I had built the computer then installed the operating system etc. the result was "I was not allowed to get an activation because I am not a registered OEM System Builder" and I have to be a Business or a Company to become a System Builder. So what do I do next ? any ideas please

[chastx1981]

OK This is a wierd situation to tell you the truth. However you can purchase an OEM copy of Windows XP/Vista either one at Tiger Direct or NewEgg.
There is also the option to phone activate Windows either version. They will ask you for a product key and ask you for a set of numbers supplied by the activation window, and then check to see if you have the software installed on other computers. If you dont they will issue you a confirmation number that will tie windows to your computer from then on out. Personally I just switched over to the mac, i do however run Windows on the side via Parrallels Desktop or BootCamp which ever you prefer is up to you. And i had to use the same windows disc that i used for my pc on my mac. However i did uninstall Vista off my pc to use on the mac and load xp on it. If you need help email me at chastx81@mac.com and i will discuss other ways to help you.
Thanks

[RNACOR12]

I'm tired of microft's crashes, patches & fixes. Next year, i'm buying a top of the line MAC OS. No crashes, freezes & lost data. Period !

[guddguy]

If computers using Microsoft & Intel products are called PCs, Apple's computers should be called DCs, because they are sold direct only and not available in stores.

If Microsoft learns how to copy MAC OS's features in Vista, how come Apple does not learn Microsoft's marketing stratgery?

I think Steve Jobs is stupid and does not know much about free enterprise

[MildUser]

Save yourself a bundle...


Go OSS, go Linux !

I've just gone there and U know what, it's a fantastic
world out there. U never regret. U got nothing to lose
if u find you dont like it. U can always switch back
to Windows or if U like Mac.

Give it a try, will U ? No risk. Just time, effort and
lots of patience and a passion to explore !

U'll thank me for this advice.