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Microsoft XP License Prohibits VNC

Posted by timothy on from the there's-an-interesting-clause dept.

jhml writes: "Looks like the monopoly muscles are flexing. According to this article in Infoworld, the XP license prohibits products other than from Microsoft's from being used to remotely control an XP workstation. So ... guess they were having a little trouble with VNC being widely used?"

16 of 782 comments (clear)

  1. No difference... by JPriest · · Score: 4, Funny

    I never could get the sub seven client to run under wine anyway...

    --
    Saying Java is nice because it works on all OS's is like saying that anal sex is nice because it works on all genders.
  2. Finally, an end to the trojan problem! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    "the XP license prohibits products other than from Microsoft's from being used to remotely control an XP workstation"

    Well, I guess Microsoft finally figured out how to take care of the thousands of trojans out there... Just forbid them in the EULA, and surely they'll all go away ;-)

    1. Re:Finally, an end to the trojan problem! by Alsee · · Score: 5, Funny

      Microsoft finally figured out how to take care of the thousands of trojans out there

      OMG! Microsoft is abusing their monopoly to expand into the trojan market! Pretty soon there's be no option except Microsoft brand trojans!

      -

      --
      - - You can't take something off the Internet! That's like trying to take pee out of a swimming pool.
  3. 2-Borg Limit by unsinged+int · · Score: 5, Funny

    Okay people, we've reached the 2-Borg limit on the main page...

    Time to find something non-Microsoft to post before the whole page gets assimilated.

    1. Re:2-Borg Limit by 56ker · · Score: 2, Funny

      *cue borg voice* This is Microsoft. You will write articles about us. Linux is futile. Prepare to use Windows. :o)

      --


      Video Game cheats, hints a
  4. A sure sign of despiration... by ChrisKnight · · Score: 5, Funny

    When you can't crush your competition through weilding the club of monopoly, exercise your 'right' to stick innane clauses in your license agreement.

    Next up, and likely to be in Windows TX (Total eXtortion):

    - You may not use any fax package other than from microsoft to send faxes from Windows.

    - You may not use any compiler other than c# to compile software for Windows.

    - Tou may not use any internet tools that were compiled without .NET on Windows.

    - You may not use any installer tools other than from Microsoft to package software for Windows.

    - You may not read web sites with any software other than from Microsoft. (Oops, already did that one.)

    - You may not read Slashdot from a Microsoft Browser.

    I must say, I am starting to enjoy the sheer humor factor that Microsoft provides. While not yet having been punished for behaving in a monopolistic way, Microsoft goes out of their way to make sure everyone knows just how wide thei are willing to swing their axe.

    -Chris

    --
    -- This sig is only a test. If this were a real sig it would say something witty. --
  5. Both VNC server and client work perfectly well by Vicegrip · · Score: 3, Funny

    in XP Professional.

    I have no tolerance for this kind of invasiveness on how I use my computer and I sincerely hope Microsoft chokes itself on these crappy EULA restrictions. Stunts like these make me so mad... next thing you know, the BSA is going to start suing people for NOT using Microsoft Word.

    Mac, here I come. I'm saving for one starting today.

    --
    Do not spread "09 F9 11 02 9D 74 E3 5B D8 41 56 C5 63 56 88 C0" over the internet, thank you.
  6. Re:This is for "Citrix like" applications. by dimator · · Score: 2, Funny

    It's VERY usefull for demos and presentations though.

    Not to mention porn...

    --
    python -c "x='python -c %sx=%s; print x%%(chr(34),repr(x),chr(34))%s'; print x%(chr(34),repr(x),chr(34))"
  7. Re:ssh ? by Wakko+Warner · · Score: 3, Funny

    What the hell good is SSH on a windows box? Ooh, I can run "cmd.exe".

    - A.P.

    --
    "Remember when the U.S. had a drug problem, and then we declared a War On Drugs, and now you can't buy drugs anymore?"
  8. So what i'm wondering by Spit_Fire1 · · Score: 2, Funny

    If you use Back Orifice, or netbus or any of the other fake hacker tools like that, is it the attacker or the victim that has to pay for the extra license or be scared of the M$ SWAT team?

    --

    "The secret of success is to know something nobody else knows." -Aristotle Onassis
  9. Some just noticed! by 1nt3lx · · Score: 2, Funny

    The most amusing part is that XP has been available for some time now and someone finally noticed this clause.

    It makes me wonder what else is floating around in there.

    --
    The List of Grievances with Slashdot.
  10. Re:Not necessarily anti-VNC... by Negadecimal · · Score: 5, Funny

    I think they're covering their own butts. With all these backdoor viruses floating around, I think MS is trying to prevent themselves from being taken to court if somebody is hacked.

    For some reason, I read this and imagined a sign outside of a bank entrance: "By entering this bank, you agree not to steal our money."

  11. No more MS web servers? by bkocik · · Score: 2, Funny
    ...you may not use the Product to permit any Device to use, access, display, or run other executable software residing on the Workstation Computer...

    Does this mean that companies that offer downloads of binaries can't use WinXP for their web servers? After all, that would allow unlicensed users to both "access" and "run" (via the "open the file from this location" option in download dialogs) "executable software residing on the Workstation Computer".

    Sounds like MS doesn't want the web anymore.

    --
    -BK
    Chemical Blog
  12. Re:VNC vs. Remote Desktop by Mike+Connell · · Score: 3, Funny

    Besides, with VNC can you play a CD on the remote computer and listen to it at your local machine?

    Yes, but you have to turn the volume way up ;-)

    --
    Tales from behind the Lagom Curtain
  13. Re:Makes me laugh by Rascalson · · Score: 2, Funny

    Bingo!! Wish I was uber enough to have mod points :)

    --
    prisoner# msce18xxxxx. Currently planning my escape.
  14. The Way I read it by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    I may not use a keyboard with XP.