Ah yes, Genuine Windows Software

Apparently my perfectly legal copy of Windows XP was switched with a pirated copy while I slept the night before last. I've tried everything short of giving Bill Gates a call, that'll happen just as soon as it becomes too inconvenient (haven't reached that point quite yet). In my particular case it just started yesterday, I suspect it has something to do with the installation of my newer version of AVG antivirus on my machine, I'll get it figured out.

The real question is why we haven't organized, marched Microsoft HQ and taken nerf bats to every employee responsible for this...epidemic.

It kind of hurts my feelings that the money they save is worth more to them than my time and convenience.

I get the feeling they get it wrong more than they get it right. Am I being cynical?

 

No, you're not being cynical. WGA is the most blatant disregard for consumer satisfaction that I've seen in an Operating System. On top of that, it does no real good, because it will always be hacked no matter what kind of security they use, and anybody who really wants/needs to pirate a copy of Windows needs to look no further than their favorite torrent site.

Unfortunately, people have put up with Microsoft too much over the years and now they have become reliant on Windows. Businesses still depend on their Windows machines, mass consumers don't know anything different besides Mac, and even government has gotten wrapped up in it. At least the majority of servers are still running Linux. People don't want to hear the truth anymore, which is why threads like these go unanswered for hours while threads praising IE7 or Aero or Windows firewall get bumped to the top for days.

The way I see it, you have a few options. First, you can put up with it and take it in the rear like MS wants you to. Second, you can continue to use Windows but fuss about it on here and to your friends, etc, but not get much done. Or third, you could make a switch to Linux/OS X and hit Microsoft where it really hurts - in the pocketbook.

$0.02

 

with m$ investing in linux and OS X (main Apple OS) - i doubt that this option would make any difference - they r too clever for it

cheers ...

 

I would kill to get some one on one dialogue with some sort of executive board. It would be a really easy case.

This is why this is not working.

This is why I hate you now.

And this is me switching to Linux, good luck with Windows Seven.

EDIT: Honestly, this is the last straw. I'm going to look at my other options. Thanks guys.

 

It's not the pocketbook you're hurting there, it's the mindshare. And THAT is what will really hurt them, when people realize that other systems are completely viable, and don't treat them like criminals for using them. MS will be forced to back off of a lot of their crap if enough people start switching.

 

The biggest revenge isnt moving to Linux or something else, but downloading, installing and using a pirated copy of Windows. There are ways of circumventing the activation and WGA process so it is only effective with those who dont know mich about computers.

 

God, you've just completely scared the sh*t out of me... what do I do to upgrade a friend's computer (who is as computer illiterate as they come) to service Pack 2? See this thread here

 

they would back up a lot of this genuine software crap if not so many pirated copies floating out there

back to the statement above



cheers ...

 

agreed but then again, what theyre doing isnt NOT encouraging piracy. With a few simple instructions even a noob can get their pirated Windows to be genuine.

 

Yet someone who is pretty computer literate such as myself can't get my genuine copy to be genuine.

Sigh.

 

No, it's not. Software piracy is not only illegal, it's immoral. As much as I believe in FOSS, Microsoft has just as much right to make closed source software as Linux has to make open source. They don't, however, have the right to treat their paying customers as criminals.

Pirating Windows and media only adds fuel to the fire, because it only helps to prove these corporations' point, which is that piracy exists and it is costing them money that they worked to earn. They may embellish the severity of the problem, but it is there. In fact, I would say that you (and pirates in general) are nearly as responsible for WGA as Microsoft is.

 

Err, no. You are not hurting them, you are proving them right, that crippling anti-piracy measures are needed. You are proving that they are right when they treat their customers as criminals. And you are as reliant as ever on them.

You're hurting them when you no longer use their products, legal or otherwise. You are hurting them when you no longer *need* their products.

As long as you use their products, legal or otherwise, you are contributing to their abusive domination of the market, you are justifying their actions, you are helping them spread the reliance on their products.

 

No, no, no. Windows made itself the de-facto standard thanks to people pirating it. MS bank on pirates running Windows all throughout Asia. They've even said "let them pirate it, we'll eventually find some way to make them pay up."

Make the switch to Linux/BSD/Solaris. That's kicking Microsoft in the scrotum. Mind you, at the moment they have gigantic balls, but enough people kicking and it'll hurt them.

 

Hahaha... that's the funniest thing I've heard all day.

 

Hah...just...haha.

 

Whether WGA is annoying or not, it is the right of Microsoft to protect their product from piracy. It will have unfortunate side effect to customer, like if they treated like criminals; failures on activation, etc.
But i think MS have the right to do that. Everybody have the right to defend themselves. The responsibility of MS is to make the process of protection less intriguing to customer.

And we should not justify piracy on whatever inconvenience process MS try to give us in order to protect their products.

The only thing that really can kick MS in the... ehm, scrotum, is to switch to Linux or other OS. But this is not going to happen in short time.

 

LMAO!!! That's the funniest thing I've heard all week. Nice, Ly.