Microsoft to users: Prove it!

[onelin]

More power to 'em.

As for the pirate thing, you need to be reporting a computer maker in question to get reduced rates. You can't report yourself and expect to get discounted rates on windows. I remember PC shows where sketchy vendors would just install windows on every computer, and joe user wouldn't know that it wasn't legal.

 

[Phoenix86]

Originally posted by: FrustratedUser

edit:
What is this scaled down version of Windows? Less bloat? If so I need copy ASAP.

You probably wouldn't want it, it's not less bloat it's less actual features (usable), the resolution is limited to something like 1024x768. That's just an example, but they don't want people using it as much, so it's not attractive. It is a MS OS on the cheap though.

 

[FrustratedUser]

Originally posted by: Phoenix86

Originally posted by: FrustratedUser

edit:
What is this scaled down version of Windows? Less bloat? If so I need copy ASAP.

You probably wouldn't want it, it's not less bloat it's less actual features (usable), the resolution is limited to something like 1024x768. That's just an example, but they don't want people using it as much, so it's not attractive. It is a MS OS on the cheap though.

Never heard of it. Thanks.

 

[Linux23]

I :brokenheart: MS.

 

[mobobuff]

Haven't they been doing that for a while now?

 

[psiu]

Originally posted by: zakee00
guess i should probably PAY for windows xp now....

I agree, poop...




Ah, well, I've been meaning to for years....slowly converting everything over to paid for/free /made-donations-when-requested software. Windows is about the last thing I have left...still have Office and Photoshop, but I've been migrating over to Openoffice and the GIMP.

Plus XP home is only about $90 last time I checked at Newegg. ~$130 for Pro.

Guess that'll be part of my midsummer upgrade spending spree...the funny thing is I'll probably be switching to Linux then for the main computer and the laptop and XP will remain on this one (the demoted one).

 

[RaDragon]

Originally posted by: SampSon

I'll stick with my win2k.

Win2K -- yay!

Microsoft said software piracy has cost the company billions of dollars in lost income.

:roll:

 

[Philippine Mango]

Eh screw them, I had a feeling this was going to happen and that genuine advantage crap was simply a trial. I have legit copies only on machines i've purchased, while XP is nice, I seriously don't think it's worth buying. I know it's pretty bad to say but I just really hate having to activate it every time, I decided not to buy windows xp when I found out I would have to activate it. I've purchased every version of windows since 3.1 (ME came included on one of our machines) (Dos included!). The activation thing is what made me stop buying it and just using our office's copy, same thing with office xp. It's not that I'm too cheap to buy it because I still buy games, I just hate activation.

 

[digitalsm]

Originally posted by: SampSon
They are always one step behind the curve.

MS offers reduced prices on XP, does anyone know how reduced?

Its called buy a OEM copy. $135 for the full version. Yes MS is offering a reduced priced version of XP to the third world, I forgot the name of it though.

 

[digitalsm]

Originally posted by: FrustratedUser

Originally posted by: dullard
First I read this:

As an incentive to authentic users,"Microsoft is also offering downloads of add-on software and discounts on games and online services."

Then I read this:

Originally posted by: FrustratedUser
That's retarded. You award pirates by giving them cheap software and pissing off the regular customers at the same time. :thumbsdown:

:roll:

Some people just don't understand the world we live in I guess.

Nope, I don't understand the world if MS is giving pirates discounts on the OS but I have to pay full price just because I'm staying legit.

Its called XP-Lite. Its hilarious though,

Microsoft is set to roll-out a 'no-frills', low-cost version of its Windows
XP operating system for third world markets.

The new OS, Windows XP Starter Edition, offers lower-resolution graphics
and restricts the ability to connect computers via a network. Also, the OS
can only run three programmes at any one time.

 

[HermDogg]

Originally posted by: Phoenix86

Originally posted by: FrustratedUser

edit:
What is this scaled down version of Windows? Less bloat? If so I need copy ASAP.

You probably wouldn't want it, it's not less bloat it's less actual features (usable), the resolution is limited to something like 1024x768. That's just an example, but they don't want people using it as much, so it's not attractive. It is a MS OS on the cheap though.

I believe the correct res is 800x600 or something RIDICULOUS like that. It's also missing a lot of components we would deem essential, but others wouldn't.

 

[thirdlegstump]

One day there will be a free OS that will run on PC.

 

[imported_Reck]

Bs it'll be just like sp2, the updates will get cracked. besides with an alt browser and and good firewall updates are worthless.

 

[EyeMWing]

Originally posted by: dragonballgtz

Originally posted by: ShotgunSteven

Originally posted by: vi_edit
Didn't they already start doing this with SP1 and blocking a ton of commonly pirated keys from downloading it?

At which point the pirates found a way around it, just like they will probably do this time.

I say within a week or two they will find a way to get around this.

A week or two? It's already been defeated more than likely.

 

[Shawn]

sucks. but I like 2k better anyway.

 

[aphex]

I question their whole process of authentication though....

I've tried using their new authentication system with recent downloads, and everytime my copy comes up as unauthorized. Interesting, since i got it directly from microsoft

 

[Siddhartha]

What is the percentage of people using "pirated" Microsoft products?

 

[JustAnAverageGuy]

Estimated time till cracked. <35 days

 

[bamacre]

Originally posted by: Supercharged
sucks. but I like 2k better anyway.

 

[IGBT]

..krap..now what am I going to do??

 

[AStar617]

What third-worlder who already has their hands on a pirated copy of XP Pro would give it up to spend money on what amounts to crippleware? Despite earning a for the effort, this is gonna tank big time.

And regarding "authentication", is this supposed to be able to thwart the volume license key generators (used to crack XP Corporate) that are already in widespread public distribution? Any ideas on how they plan to perform this authentication?

 

[SKORPI0]

Here's their current program - Windows Genuine Advantage Offers

Users of genuine Windows XP operating systems are invited to take advantage of the following special offers. Not sure if you are using genuine Windows? Select an offer below to find out! (If an ActiveX dialog box appears, please click Yes.)

Not sure how MS authenticates and what going to be different from this.

 

[flexy]

... by offering discounts to users of pirated copies of Windows.

"These customers will be offered a genuine version of Windows at a reduced price," Micros

:Q

 

[yhelothar]

Originally posted by: NuclearNed

"These customers will be offered a genuine version of Windows at a reduced price," Microsoft said.

"Hey Bob, let's reward pirates by making them pay less than honest people!"

"Say, Stan, I like the way you think!!!"

They're not just pirates, they're 3rd world country people who can't afford anything more than a pirated copy. Their salary is on average a quarter of what you make.

 

[episodic]

Autopatcher - the only way to patch