All those running pirated Windows XP - read this!

[TheOmegaCode]

Is it right to download software which was written with the intent to be sold? I don't care... I run WinXP at home, and didn't buy it. Granted, my copy was given to me by my work, where we have open licensing. Not to mention the fact that I am a technician, and have to know the various Windows operates. I'd love to not run it, the majority of things I do can be done in open-source OS's. Having another FreeBSD box or a Debian box to play with (because Debian continues to kick my ass) would be great, but I've essentially been told to install XP at home. Will bad things happen to me? Probably not.

Also, I'd have to agree with BingBongWongFooey in that Microsoft just ends up looking like an ass. There are hundreds of 'legitimate' keys out there on the internet, waiting to be ripped off by a variable cornucopia of folks thanks to programs like Kazaa, WinMX, iMesh and Direct Connect (all designed to work with Windows, isn't it grand).

capybara I hope that you were quoting Jesus to be funny, becaue if you were serious, you are a big hypocrite...

 

[TheOmegaCode]

krazykilroy you need to re-read what n0cmonkey wrote. He never once condoned the use of illegal software. He just said he speeds every now-and-again

By the way, I don't know about other states, but we here in California have the 'Basic Speed Law' never go faster than the conditions allow. So, yeah, you can go 66 in a 65 zone, sometimes. There is, however, no excuse for me going 85ish in a 70 zone :Q

 

[capybara]

....and buy the way i could care less what microsloth does....100% linux here.

 

[Mem]

It`s quite simple Microsoft are trying to protect their software and the pirates are out to get a freebie,this is like one of those never ending battles where both sides are taking action and the final winner as yet to be decided.

You will be surprised on just how many different types of illegal software is available & there will always be people tempted to grab them for free.
At the end of the day Microsoft is doing what they think`s best & those that have legal copies have nothing to worry about.

 

[TheOmegaCode]

Originally posted by: Mem
You will be surprised on just how many different types of illegal software is available & there will always be people tempted to grab them for free.
At the end of the day Microsoft is doing what they think`s best & those that have legal copies have nothing to worry about.

If you are saying what I think you are saying. No, No I wouldn't...

 

[1611AV]

I had a friend with a cable modem download and burn me a warez'd corporate version of WinXP Pro. I installed it and ran it for about a month before going out and buying a legit copy. I think of it as "test-driving". I also own a legit copy of Win2k Pro, which is what I was running before trying out the warez'd copy of XP Pro. I wanted to see if XP Pro was worth buying. I liked it and shucked out the $$$ for it a month later. I have no problem at all with that. Now that I've spent my $$$ on a legit copy I've decided to keep the warez'd corporate version installed on my pc instead of reformatting and installing the legit copy. I just don't trust Microsoft's product activation scheme. I'd rather remain incognito and technically illegal than give Microsoft access to the contents of my pc. They got my money, but what's inside my pc is my business.

I've heard that some people have had their warez'd corporate version of XP Pro get messed up when using the Windows Update to download security patches, etc. My XP Pro corporate downloaded and installed all the latest updates (minus the .NET framework) with no problems at all.

AV1611 out...

 

[n0cmonkey]

I just don't trust Microsoft's product activation scheme. I'd rather remain incognito and technically illegal than give Microsoft access to the contents of my pc. They got my money, but what's inside my pc is my business.

They dont access anything they dont have a right to. AKA, no data, just information about your hardware. From what I read that information totals up to a whole hash of some of the serial numbers from your hardware. woo, spooky.

 

[Flyingcool]

Spagetti, its all spagetti

 

[Workin']

I just don't trust Microsoft's product activation scheme. I'd rather remain incognito and technically illegal than give Microsoft access to the contents of my pc. They got my money, but what's inside my pc is my business.

Product activation sends no personally identifiable info to MS. That's been proven. If you want to send personal infor to MS, then register - but that's not required and not the same as activating.

Isn't it a little naive of you to think that Windows Update or any of the downloaded updates couldn't take a peek inside your PC? Or take more than a peek?

 

[spyordie007]

Originally posted by: 1611AV
...shucked out the $$$ for it a month later. I have no problem at all with that. Now that I've spent my $$$ on a legit copy I've decided to keep the warez'd corporate version installed on my pc instead of reformatting and installing the legit copy. I just don't trust Microsoft's product activation scheme. I'd rather remain incognito and technically illegal than give Microsoft access to the contents of my pc. They got my money, but what's inside my pc is my business....

ditto, although I dont belive it gives them any info about the files on my machine I still dont like giving away any more info than possible.

a couple of weeks ago I bought myself a new bbq grill and it came with a registration card, I didnt fill that out. I have a legit copy, but I'm going to avoid registering it for as long as I can (I actually havent even opened my legit copy of XP-Pro, it's still shrink-wrapped). I do this with most of my software, for example I have Adobe Photoshop 7 and have not registered it with Adobe.

Thanks for that link for the $40 copy of XP Pro, I might just pick up another lic. of it for that much...

-Spy

 

[spyordie007]

Originally posted by: Flyingcool
Spagetti, its all spagetti

yeah, I think I'm about done watching this thread.....

 

[CTho9305]

Originally posted by: bsobel

AND XP corp is out of updates. We shall see, I guess

No, just corp versions who's license key has been widely distributed.

Bill

thats what I meant (returning to the actual topic isntead of the flamewar )

 

[krazykilroy]

What I meant was n0cmonkey was kinda out of line by caling people "little bitches" when it wasn't called for.

Also, in Jersey we have conditions permitting also. But that means that 65 is 65, and if there's traffic then conditions require you to slow down, not speed up. You should raise the speed limit then if you know people have no choice but to break it.

People have a choice to break the law. I've seen the inside of a cell for driving offenses (driving while suspended), but I've never tried to rationilize it out. If you steal, admit it. Don't say that you're "trying to fight the microsoft corporate giant"

 

[bsobel]

> What I meant was n0cmonkey was kinda out of line by caling people "little bitches" when it wasn't called for.

Oh come on, our little friend went crying to the moderators after I called him a thief. I then mentioned that if that made him upset, wait until he meets Red Dawn and he tells him what he thinks of him (maybe I should have included n0cmonkey in that!). He then went crying AGAIN to the moderators. Threatening him, yea right. N0cmonkey just called it as he saw it.

Bill

 

[sodcha0s]

bsobel,

You are right, it is stealing, no doubt about it. And no, it's not right, but I don't believe it's right to market a product that isn't complete, and doesn't work properly either. To me, Win98 was an 'update' for 95. 98SE was an update for 98, but the general public couldn't even get it without buying a new system. I can't really comment on NT, although I use it at work on a laptop (for diagnostics software we run) and I'm not impressed with it.

Also, I have no problem with Microsoft trying to combat the pirating of their software. It is in their interest to do so, and as long as they do it without breeching the privacy of others, I see no problem with it.

My point in all of this is that I'm not sympathetic to Microsoft because single users run pirated copies of their software. Yes, it's illegal. It's akin to j-walking in my opinion. They don't even copy protect their CD's, which would eliminate a large part of that problem. The main problem is companies that mass produce copies and sell them with new systems, or large corporations that purchase one copy and no additional licenses for hundreds of systems on their networks.

 

[sodcha0s]

That said, the majority of the people are getting that for much less (as part of their computer purchase).

Not true. The computer manufacturer pays full price, or close to it for the OS, and is figured in to the price of the system. And in some cases, (i.e. Compaq) you don't even recieve a true copy of the OS, just some lame restore disk.

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: krazykilroy
What I meant was n0cmonkey was kinda out of line by caling people "little bitches" when it wasn't called for.

The truth hurts. Get over it.

Also, in Jersey we have conditions permitting also. But that means that 65 is 65, and if there's traffic then conditions require you to slow down, not speed up. You should raise the speed limit then if you know people have no choice but to break it.

People have a choice to break the law. I've seen the inside of a cell for driving offenses (driving while suspended), but I've never tried to rationilize it out. If you steal, admit it. Don't say that you're "trying to fight the microsoft corporate giant"

I dont rationalize my speeding. I know its wrong. I accept that. I dont think I speed excessively (read dangerously). I also accept the consequences for my speeding. I have paid my speeding taxes (read tickets) every time I have gotten one. And over the years (not too many really ) my speed has gotten better and better in the eyes of the law.

If you dont like what Microsoft is doing stop supporting it. By using it, warezed or not, you are supporting Microsoft.

 

[bsobel]

> I had a friend with a cable modem download and burn me a warez'd corporate version of WinXP Pro. I installed it and ran it for about a month before going out and buying a legit copy. I think of it as "test-driving".

Actually, with the current activation scheme, I'm suprised MS hasn't released a downloadable (at least for broadband users) version that runs for 30 days then makes you pay for it.

Bill

 

[Techn0freak]

i view on it is, if you can get it for free, why not get it? i believe that microsoft and many other companies are charging way too much for their products, granted that some of those companies produce very nice products, like adobe.

I get warez/pirited copys of almost anything, and they all work without virus or whatever else, games,appz,mp3s,movies,and OS's. I have winxp pro corp and office xp corp. I couldnt upgrade my office xp corp at first because of necro$ofts crap, so i searched on google and found a work around by installing the administrating pack thing.

most students, like me do the same because we just dont have the money to pay $100-500 for an OS or app. so we just get it for free

 

[Workin']

... That said, the majority of the people are getting that for much less (as part of their computer purchase)

Not true. The computer manufacturer pays full price, or close to it for the OS, and is figured in to the price of the system. And in some cases, (i.e. Compaq) you don't even recieve a true copy of the OS, just some lame restore disk.

Let's see, retail copy of Windows XP Professional = $299 plus change at the local Best Buy or CompUSA.

OEM copy of Windows XP Professional = $140 or so when purchased from a wholesaler like Ingram Micro or TechData or D&H (or newegg.com, for that matter). Purchase of multiple copies gets a discount on top of that.

Big OEM's get an even better discount. And big OEM's that include only a restore disk only pay around $50 for their license. Not really very close to "full price", I don't think.

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: Techn0freak
i view on it is, if you can get it for free, why not get it? i believe that microsoft and many other companies are charging way too much for their products, granted that some of those companies produce very nice products, like adobe.

I get warez/pirited copys of almost anything, and they all work without virus or whatever else, games,appz,mp3s,movies,and OS's. I have winxp pro corp and office xp corp. I couldnt upgrade my office xp corp at first because of necro$ofts crap, so i searched on google and found a work around by installing the administrating pack thing.

most students, like me do the same because we just dont have the money to pay $100-500 for an OS or app. so we just get it for free

Why use it if its not worth your money? Why not get a student version which costs next to nothing? Why support this company if you refuse to be an adult and spell their name correctly?

 

[Workin']

Originally posted by: Techn0freak
i view on it is, if you can get it for free, why not get it? i believe that microsoft and many other companies are charging way too much for their products, granted that some of those companies produce very nice products, like adobe.

I get warez/pirited copys of almost anything, and they all work without virus or whatever else, games,appz,mp3s,movies,and OS's. I have winxp pro corp and office xp corp. I couldnt upgrade my office xp corp at first because of necro$ofts crap, so i searched on google and found a work around by installing the administrating pack thing.

most students, like me do the same because we just dont have the money to pay $100-500 for an OS or app. so we just get it for free

I really want a nice new Porsche. But damn, those things cost like 70 grand! I can't afford that, I'm just a poor engineer, so I'm going to look around for a while until I find one I can just take. After all, if you can get it for free, why not get it? There is no difference between your reasoning and mine - just the likelihood of getting caught is a little greater.

With your attitude, I'll be surprised if you manage to stay gainfully employed if you graduate from school. The world - and Microsoft - owe you nothing.

 

[sodcha0s]

I really want a nice new Porsche. But damn, those things cost like 70 grand! I can't afford that, I'm just a poor engineer, so I'm going to look around for a while until I find one I can just take. After all, if you can get it for free, why not get it? There is no difference between your reasoning and mine - just the likelihood of getting caught is a little greater.

Apples and oranges.

1. Porche sells a product that performs as advertised, Microsoft has not, at least in the past.

2. If you discover your new Porche is broken after you buy it, they will gladly repair it, and make it right, with no charge to the consumer. Again, Microsoft doesn't.

3. True, a Porche is too expensive for most, but you have an option, actually thousands, for transportation. For most consumers, there is little if any option for which OS they run.

4. You can't burn a copy of your friends Porche, and you certainly can't download one from the web.

5. You can take a Porche for a test run and then decide if you want to purchase it. Can't do that with Windows, legally anyway. And once you buy it and open it, it's yours, no refund.

 

[Trader05]

Oh well...i really like WinXp and Office Xp, but after this update thing that i can't do, i might switch back to Win2000, since i recently recieved it through my school that i have to pay for, along with office 2000. The only thing i really dislike about Windows 2000 is the boot up time, it took my system before about 1 1/2 mins to boot, with XP, takes less then 30 secs. I might buy it OEM, not sure tho. Thanks for the update. No arguing here...

 

[Workin']

Apples and oranges.

Obviously, but stealing is stealing. Just because you don't like the policies of the company you are stealing from doesn't make it right - or justifiable. You can't pick and choose the laws that will apply to you!