Problems? See this thread at archive.org.
Ok so Panasonic's official recovery disks are 'off the menu', so lets examine the next issue. That of actual Windows media. Since my system still had the COA sticker on the bottom, if I wanted or needed to re-install I believe I could use a real Windows media CD and go from there. Correct so far?
So what is the score with that media? Since I don't have any access to real Windows media CD's, can they be copied/shared non-commercially (ie. "I'll burn you a copy for the cost of a few CD-R's" ...), or simply borrowed from a friend, or is that supposedly just as naughty as the recovery disk business? I know Microsoft takes a demonic-like approach to people wanting to sell Windows media on Ebay to the point where if it's not sold with a system it's deemed to be akin to piracy. Perhaps it's all linked into the COA verification moreso than distribution of the actual Windows raw operating system software CD's themselves as a way for Microsoft to keep tabs on what users do with systems running Windows.
I raised the subject of Linux vs Windows in the other thread, so lets look at that too. Linux, as we know, is totally free, open-source (mostly) and has NO limitations on how much it can be copied/shared/etc as it's pretty much free of all incumberences via the use of GPL for 'licensing'. Of course the flip side is it's not commercial and excepting places that develop software specifically for certain hardware, etc. which is sold commercially or offered with low-cost purchasable licensing, users are *encouraged* to develop/share/use solutions and software that are developed outside the commercial sphere.
So it seems it comes down to either going down the fully commercial route with Windows and expecting Microsoft (and licensed vendors) to provide all the software support, or going the fully open-source route and using community resources for support. Yes?
Has anyone been stuck in a situation where they hate Windows (who doesn't!) and want to get rid of it, but they can't because there isn't any software support under Linux for a particular piece of hardware either native to the system or 3rd-party? Curious to hear about how these sort of things pan out as it's a central connundrum in the issue of commercial vs open-source operating systems.
Craig.
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Yes wanting to stimulate debate on these topics as they're important to discuss and not shove into the 'too hard basket'. People who are blinkered into thinking Windows is the only OS that exists tend to not want to discuss alternatives... Fortunately I don't think many of us using Toughbooks mistakenly follow that 'religious' path...
Right well this CF-28 I use here has Xp pro on it. I just don't have any original Xp pro media hence the curiousity about what the position re copying/sharing/borrowing original media is when it's not going to be for commercial (ie. fake money changing hands) use. I bet I could find someone at work who has real media that they'll lend out for a 'fee' (beer usually!).
Interesting since I have heard of people here in Oz who got roasted trying to sell original Windows media by itself on Ebay and I'd expect in the US it's a lot more stringent though these days every second man and his dog probably has (or can get) a copy of raw Windows media from somewhere... Perhaps it's as you say with people trying to sell media that was OEM'd with a system in the past and not stand-alone media.
Right so that shifts the ballpark squarely into Linux's favour in terms of realistic honest community operating system support. But yes I get the point of what you're saying in terms of Windows-related software. lol indeed.
As much as I would like to, I need to keep Xp on this CF-28 as my Opentec isn't set up with Linux on it yet (has no OS at all) and doesn't have a way to support my USB UMTS/HSDPA stick (though I believe there are good Linux drivers for them out there). Getting a stand-alone UTMS/HSDPA router next week so I no longer have to rely on the very poor, shonky default Huawei software that the ISP provides with the e169 stick.
Sad really that Windows just 'works' like a black box... ;-) But at it's core it's still showing it's original MS-DOS (derived from CP/M!) roots so surprisingly it does have things in common with old-skool OS's even though Microsoft would be too scared to admit it. he he
Craig. -
There are certain rules to be followed to sell oem software
The computer store that I deal with requires that a processor be sold at the same time
Only the retail software can be sold stand alone
I have purchased white box Microsoft keyboard /mouse combo packs
I can do that when I purchase a full computer. or hardware
The cost buying it that way is ½ of retail price, about the same as the difference between retail and oem software
I personally feel that if you bought the software disk, and you want to sell it it should be your right to do so
Anything else is being petty
After the September financial crisis large companies are going to have to look hard at what their employees are actually doing
The usa is a great county and will come through their problems eventually
I am part of a generation that believe in hard work and being productive
Hopefully the first thing to go in restructuring companies is some of these lawyers
And hopefully the attitudes will change at the universities because we all live in a big world and the students there are being brainwashed into thinking that Microsoft is the king of the world lol
Until I can find applications that will run on other operating systems, I am using xp
Not vista, but xp mostly.
Alex -
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windows xp media.... copying/sharing? vs Linux
Discussion in 'Panasonic' started by sunrk, Feb 14, 2009.
