A USB plug hardware key would be an ideal way to prevent "casual piracy". This type of piracy is what all the elaborate activation and WGA is intended to prevent. The real hardcore hackers will crack just about anything...regardless of the protection schemes.

Microsoft thinks that cracking is something that occurs overnight and it is not really such a big issue. I really agree with jcurrin when he said,"just raise the white flag microsoft"! Hacking and Cracking has been around since the ages of software has made difference to the computer! Regardless, of what you do there will be someone leaking the serails out for a price. Do you realize that most hacking attempts or accomplishments occur with the workplace! 80 percent to be exact! If you are not treating the employees like they should be treated, than it becomes a vulnerablitiy! Microsoft is trying to awake a sleeping giant! Lots of crackers and hackers do not really focus upon Microsoft product for the reason it is reatively easy to crack. If microsoft keeps up the issues about illegal usuage of windows and the piracy issues that is currently available than they will witness the software become free publically! Hackers and Crackers have not even attempted to crack the iceburg! :D:lol::::!:

Yup, let MIcrosoft do what they feel will protect their software from piracy. The harder they try, the harder hackers will try to crack the software. It won't take long for a hacker to bypass this new protection Microsoft pleas will prevent from pirated software. GOOD LUCK GATES :lol:

It is already possible to buy Vista and Office 2007 made in China (original Box) in Pakistan for about $10. Practically all other newest PC programs to. Usually they are on Pakistan market, before they are on American market (especially Microsoft products).

nah too expensive. :lol: In Burma, Vista cost abt 50cents.:shock: Even if u add Office 2007, it won't cost more than $2. :shock:

We pay more for legitimate copies of software products that we want due to pirated software. Microsoft may charge to much and impose to many restrictions but they don't make you buy their software. They are a legitimate compnay trying to make a buck. Besides, look at all the good that Gates is doing with the money we've given him over the years.:lol:

The truth is, Microsoft will never go out of business, their are too many companies that keep them going, including all of the pc makers, HP, Dell, Gateway etc. Their are only two companies that sell personal computers that do not ship with Windows, Apple which ships with OS X, but still can run windows, and Sun, which ships with Linux with the option of windows. Plus there are so many legit organizations that use Windows legally, government, heath care and public schooling. Even if Microsoft were to get close to failing, that would mean Apple would have more of the market share, and Apple would pull Microsoft back in, like Microsoft did for Apple a while back, because no one company can have all the market share, the government would split them up. I would like to see Apple have the majority of the market share, but the truth is, we will always need Microsoft, they are a big impact on the economy for all the jobs they create, first second and third hand software and hardware business. Though Microsoft is considered the very hackable junk but formal OS, there will always be a price.