M$ to give away XP

[RACKnRAIL]

A thought for you UK folks
Microsoft has announced a pilot program called the "UK Product Replacement Offer" in its "Windows XP (http://www.geek.com/news/geeknews/2004Nov/gee20041129028011.htm#) Counterfeit Project" push to cut down on piracy of Windows XP. The offer, which is only available in the United Kingdom, allows users to contact Microsoft to have the software (http://www.geek.com/news/geeknews/2004Nov/gee20041129028011.htm#) company test their copy of Windows XP. If the operating system (http://www.geek.com/news/geeknews/2004Nov/gee20041129028011.htm#) is not a legal copy, the company will then work with the user (via "series of computer checks, collating documents, and filling out a witness statement") to get information on where he or she got the software. With that information in hand, Microsoft hopes to better pursue software pirates.

The Product Replacement Offer only applies to operating systems pre-installed on the user's new computer before November 1, 2004, and submissions are limited to 5 per person. The offer expires on December 31, 2004.

Microsoft has not decided whether or not it will extend this offer to other countries, but the results of this pilot program should give the company the information it needs to make that decision.

For more info, check out BBC News (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/4042983.stm)

I got story from:

http://www.geek.com/news/geeknews/2004Nov/gee20041129028011.htm

[ratbag]

yeah right like any sane non drunk alive person would do it
well at least i wouldnt

[Deegin]

Hah, yes.. why would anyone admit to pirating to the company that they pirated from. That's just silly.. although I guess it could be considered a pretty clever move by microsoft to help track down the sources of their pirated software.

[RACKnRAIL]

The article didn't say, if you just d/l XP from bittorrent and you would like to turn yourself in. Yes...who in their right mind would do that?

The second paragraph goes on to say:
The Product Replacement Offer only applies to operating systems (http://www.geek.com/news/geeknews/2004Nov/gee20041129028011.htm#) pre-installed on the user's new computer before November 1, 2004, and submissions are limited to 5 per person. The offer expires on December 31, 2004.

I may be wrong, but doesn't that mean if you bought the computer with the pirated XP OS already on it?

[Omyn]

Actually, some people receive a computer from places like small computer shops and stores, even computer shows for about 400 dollars with windows XP installed, these computers come with no CDs but loaded with programs and operating systems with some of the most common CD keys found on the internet.

A user who wishes to have their own legal CD, and may not be sure if their copy is in fact a legal copy will of course contact microsoft and tell them their information, the company gets sued, the customer makes a profit.

This is defintely going to effect alot of businesses in the UK, this will be interesting to see what becomes of this.

[ducttapeBigSexy]

Why would anyone want to use Winblows when Linux is already free and 100% better anyway :P

[wonderboy2005]

Why would anyone want to use Winblows when Linux is already free and 100% better anyway :P because from a user-freindliness standpoint, linux sucks ass. period. Because most people are looking for simplicity more so than the ability to compile virtually everything they download, windows is the choice for the masses.

[Moneo@]

Nobody mentioned in this thread that MS gives you a legit copy for your efforts.
Its not like they are saying "turn yourself in so we can tell you if its pirated"

[RACKnRAIL]

because from a user-freindliness standpoint, linux sucks ass. period. Because most people are looking for simplicity more so than the ability to compile virtually everything they download, windows is the choice for the masses.
Why is it that Linux people just want to shove it right down your throat. I don't mean to say that Bill Gates doesn't do the same thing with M$, but at least, Windows IS user friendly!

I have a Linux friend, so to speak, and it takes him like 3 days to mount a new HD or DVD-Rom...I mean it takes him 3 days to read about it and then another day to enter the damned code. Yeah...that's real efficient.

I have been on computers for a few years and have a pretty good handle on trouble shooting, backing up, re-installing, etc. I tried Mandrake...the easiest Linux distro, apparently, and found even downloading a simple file was no longer simple...then locating it afterwards was a chore too. So wonderboy...I'm with you!

[Pirate_RRRRRR_IIIIII]

As soon as linux becomes as user friendly as windows (or close enough) I'm jumping ship

[muffenme]

:fire

I hate Linux to because it so hard to use and configure and you need high end devices to do thing. Any Windows version can display 800x600 on a 1 MB video card but in linux you need at less 4 MB maybe 8 MB to do the same thing. In Windows( 95 and higher ) you can install new or different hardware with very few poblem, Linux you need to do alot to get that device working. Make Linux easier and free then let talk. I don't mind the TUI inviroment but can someone create the commands that make sents and make the help so that easier to use, etc.

:hole

[ratbag]

linux is a cool os unfortunatly windows isthe more commercially accepted os until that changes there is not much one can do noone said you cant have both now did they?

[Jameo]

I may be wrong but can't anybody alter the code and then create a new version? With a multitude of authors surely easy of use is going to be difficult to acheive?

[cpugeniusmv]

it's not so much that gnu/linux distributions are hard to use, they're just different from windows.

i just thought i'd mention that.

[nutcase1]

Hey guys check out the new Free Site. They're giving away lots of cool stuff better than freeipods.com
Here's the link:
http://freegamingstuff.pocketpcs4free.com//portal.php?ref=293

[RACKnRAIL]

Hey guys check out the new Free Site. They're giving away lots of cool stuff better than freeipods.com
Here's the link:
http://freegamingstuff.pocketpcs4free.com//portal.php?ref=293
wtf is up with all the spam lately?