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MS Judge to Allow Demonstration of Modular Windows

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the but-that's-impossible dept.

robkill writes: "U.S. District Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly, over the vigorous objections of Microsoft, will allow the nine dissenting states to demonstrate a modular version of Windows. The software is based on Windows XP Embedded, and was built by computer consultant James Bach. Details can be found here [zdnet.com]"

7 of 574 comments (clear)

  1. Uh-oh by TheRealFixer · · Score: 5, Funny

    But unfortunatly, Microsoft countered by denying their Product Activation Code at the time of the demo! D'oh!

    1. Re:Uh-oh by ndevice · · Score: 5, Funny

      better still, part of the EULA that bach used could have prohibitted using xp embedded against ms in court.

    2. Re:Uh-oh by dimator · · Score: 5, Funny

      But if Windows is modular, we can replace the copy protection / serial activation with our own modules, right?

      Yes! I'll make my serial number 12345, the same as on my luggage.

      --
      python -c "x='python -c %sx=%s; print x%%(chr(34),repr(x),chr(34))%s'; print x%(chr(34),repr(x),chr(34))"
  2. One slight Problem by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny


    One problem I could see with this is that Windows' own bugginess could be misconstrued as the fault of the person who developed this modular windows.
    "And if you'll watch as I click here, you'll see that there is no Internet Explor-- Er... one second folks, I have to reboot..."
    Microsoft Lawyer: "AH-HA! Innocent I tell you!"

  3. Microsoft lawyer gets promotion! by Alsee · · Score: 5, Funny

    One Microsoft lawyer was heard commenting:
    "Well, a modular version of Windows is impossible. What the heck, let him testify."

    He has since been given a promotion to the Microsoft head office in Afghanistan.

    -

    --
    - - You can't take something off the Internet! That's like trying to take pee out of a swimming pool.
  4. Re:Developer's nightmare... by Chris+Johnson · · Score: 4, Funny
    Yeah, but the alternative is already underway, and it's "all MS stuff works with other MS stuff as long as you keep really up to date, but everything else breaks a lot". The degree of integration continually shuts out other products.

    You're arguing for a state of affairs that is putting you out of business: the simplest baseline configuration is "We supply all the software, why would you ever need anything else?". And that's what MS is driving towards.

    Are you really so dedicated to user simplicity that you're willing to stake your career as a Windows developer on it, and side with Microsoft on this issue? Very noble, but I'd question how smart it is. Maybe you should consider making life a little harder and riskier for those consumers so YOU can have room to move, and to sell them stuff.

  5. Re:Finally by NumberSyx · · Score: 5, Funny

    Microsoft would deliver a base set of Windows with such marginal functionality, then have a nice expensive upgrade you'd have to buy to get anything done

    I can hear the conversation now...

    Joe: I can't format this floppy.

    MS Rep: Oh, no problem, you need to purchase the Format:Floppy Extension, but before you can do that you will need Read:Floppy and Write:Floppy as well. Normally they are $9.95 each, but if you buy all three, it will only cost $24.95.

    Joe: Well...I guess I don't have a choice.

    MS Rep: Great, we are also having a special on Copy:File this week...

    --

    "Our products just aren't engineered for security,"
    -Brian Valentine,VP in charge of MS Windows Development