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Oh dear, what have Microsoft done now? In case you haven't heard, I shall tell you:
In an attempt to cut down on pirated versions of their software (in the Far East it is thought that only 3% of software is genuine), Microsoft have dreamt up a new system of protection. Windows XP will require the owner to officially "activate" the software within a month of installation. What this means is that the computer will "look" at your hardware, and from this create a unique "fingerprint" code.
You then have to phone Microsoft or go to the website, give them your code and get some type of activation number back. The whole point of this is to stop more than one CD being used on a number of computers, even if the CD is copied.
What does seem stupid is that each time you upgrade your computer, you'll have to get a new code. Initially the system didn't allow for this, which seems pretty stupid to me, but after it was pointed out by beta testers MS say they will change it to allow a certain number of upgrades over a certain amount of time.
Is it me, or is this just anti-piracy gone mad?
The system won't be impossible to crack no doubt tools will be made available on the 'net pretty sharpish after release anyway. Also, it won't just be pirates who want to get round the system. Non-pirates will be eager to avoid the hassle of registering each time, especially if they upgrade their system on a regular basis.
Carrying on with a similar topic, the US courts have had words with Napster of they (Napster) only managed to block 99.8% of copy-written (is that right? Copyrighted doesn't does right to me...) files. Audio fingerpriniting is apparently the next step, with programs checking the "acustic pattern" of songs, instead of just the file name.
Thoughts?
In an attempt to cut down on pirated versions of their software (in the Far East it is thought that only 3% of software is genuine), Microsoft have dreamt up a new system of protection. Windows XP will require the owner to officially "activate" the software within a month of installation. What this means is that the computer will "look" at your hardware, and from this create a unique "fingerprint" code.
You then have to phone Microsoft or go to the website, give them your code and get some type of activation number back. The whole point of this is to stop more than one CD being used on a number of computers, even if the CD is copied.
What does seem stupid is that each time you upgrade your computer, you'll have to get a new code. Initially the system didn't allow for this, which seems pretty stupid to me, but after it was pointed out by beta testers MS say they will change it to allow a certain number of upgrades over a certain amount of time.
Is it me, or is this just anti-piracy gone mad?
The system won't be impossible to crack no doubt tools will be made available on the 'net pretty sharpish after release anyway. Also, it won't just be pirates who want to get round the system. Non-pirates will be eager to avoid the hassle of registering each time, especially if they upgrade their system on a regular basis.
Carrying on with a similar topic, the US courts have had words with Napster of they (Napster) only managed to block 99.8% of copy-written (is that right? Copyrighted doesn't does right to me...) files. Audio fingerpriniting is apparently the next step, with programs checking the "acustic pattern" of songs, instead of just the file name.
Thoughts?
I suppose its a good ide to prevent crime but sales may go down cos i woudl not be bothered to buy software and 'activate it' too much hassel! How much are the phone calls to dial up microsoft?? hmmmm.. doesn't sound very good to me, its not as if Microsoft are a company in debt!!
There is no single "linux" company who could advertise, information is spread via word of mouth and online forums/newsgroups....it's not designed to be a commercial venture, although RedHat are successfully managing to turn it in to one..
So most of the piracy losses come from big business men...
but only the home copies have been made awkward for users.
Microsoft are being a bit dim.
I think that Linux are gearing up a big advert capaign as we speak.
"Choose the software you can actually use!"
but only the home copies have been made awkward for users.
Microsoft are being a bit dim.
I think that Linux are gearing up a big advert capaign as we speak.
"Choose the software you can actually use!"
I don't think you'll have to get a new code each time you reboot, unless you change your hardware as well.
But it seems stupid to me.
Although there a large number of different hardware set-ups that are available, it's not going to take some crackers long to figure out that if you have a 1.4 Gig Athlon, 256MB RAM, a 40 GB HDD and a GeForce 2 then the code will be 1234567890 or whatever.
I personally think it is Microsoft gone mad, trying to cut down piracy in the area that probably costs them least in losses anyway.
This function won't bo on the businees edition, just the home edition, so either more people will want to get around it, just because it's a pain, or people who know will stick with either Windows 98, 2000 or ME.
But it seems stupid to me.
Although there a large number of different hardware set-ups that are available, it's not going to take some crackers long to figure out that if you have a 1.4 Gig Athlon, 256MB RAM, a 40 GB HDD and a GeForce 2 then the code will be 1234567890 or whatever.
I personally think it is Microsoft gone mad, trying to cut down piracy in the area that probably costs them least in losses anyway.
This function won't bo on the businees edition, just the home edition, so either more people will want to get around it, just because it's a pain, or people who know will stick with either Windows 98, 2000 or ME.
I think MS are about to find out just how often their crappy OS crashes and takes out people's systems! :-)
Oh dear, what have Microsoft done now? In case you haven't heard, I shall tell you:
In an attempt to cut down on pirated versions of their software (in the Far East it is thought that only 3% of software is genuine), Microsoft have dreamt up a new system of protection. Windows XP will require the owner to officially "activate" the software within a month of installation. What this means is that the computer will "look" at your hardware, and from this create a unique "fingerprint" code.
You then have to phone Microsoft or go to the website, give them your code and get some type of activation number back. The whole point of this is to stop more than one CD being used on a number of computers, even if the CD is copied.
What does seem stupid is that each time you upgrade your computer, you'll have to get a new code. Initially the system didn't allow for this, which seems pretty stupid to me, but after it was pointed out by beta testers MS say they will change it to allow a certain number of upgrades over a certain amount of time.
Is it me, or is this just anti-piracy gone mad?
The system won't be impossible to crack no doubt tools will be made available on the 'net pretty sharpish after release anyway. Also, it won't just be pirates who want to get round the system. Non-pirates will be eager to avoid the hassle of registering each time, especially if they upgrade their system on a regular basis.
Carrying on with a similar topic, the US courts have had words with Napster of they (Napster) only managed to block 99.8% of copy-written (is that right? Copyrighted doesn't does right to me...) files. Audio fingerpriniting is apparently the next step, with programs checking the "acustic pattern" of songs, instead of just the file name.
Thoughts?
In an attempt to cut down on pirated versions of their software (in the Far East it is thought that only 3% of software is genuine), Microsoft have dreamt up a new system of protection. Windows XP will require the owner to officially "activate" the software within a month of installation. What this means is that the computer will "look" at your hardware, and from this create a unique "fingerprint" code.
You then have to phone Microsoft or go to the website, give them your code and get some type of activation number back. The whole point of this is to stop more than one CD being used on a number of computers, even if the CD is copied.
What does seem stupid is that each time you upgrade your computer, you'll have to get a new code. Initially the system didn't allow for this, which seems pretty stupid to me, but after it was pointed out by beta testers MS say they will change it to allow a certain number of upgrades over a certain amount of time.
Is it me, or is this just anti-piracy gone mad?
The system won't be impossible to crack no doubt tools will be made available on the 'net pretty sharpish after release anyway. Also, it won't just be pirates who want to get round the system. Non-pirates will be eager to avoid the hassle of registering each time, especially if they upgrade their system on a regular basis.
Carrying on with a similar topic, the US courts have had words with Napster of they (Napster) only managed to block 99.8% of copy-written (is that right? Copyrighted doesn't does right to me...) files. Audio fingerpriniting is apparently the next step, with programs checking the "acustic pattern" of songs, instead of just the file name.
Thoughts?