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XP Service Pack Does the Impossible
Peyna writes "This article over at C|net discusses the upcoming Microsoft Windows XP service pack, which will contain the normal bug fixes, but more importantly, will make XP more modular, allowing you to override their default products. I assume this means Internet Explorer and possibly some other apps as well."
I think this is horribly irresponsible, because the people who pirate are probably never going to pay for the full product.
So, what, MS is morally obligated to give their software away for free to keep the Internet secure? Please. The problem with Code Red wasn't software pirates, it was (and is) ordinary users who either don't know enough to keep their bug patches up-to-date, or don't care. If pirates were the only reason viruses spread on the Internet, we wouldn't even have a problem.
"The control offers four different choices for changing the Windows desktop and Start Menu: "Computer Manufacturer Configuration," "Microsoft Windows," "Non-Microsoft" and "Custom."
When I change my setting to Non-Microsoft, will microsoft know? If so, will I not get updates for certain things because I am "Non-Microsoft"? Why does the system need to know that the program is "Non-Microsoft"
(I am not trying to flamebait or troll, just stating my worries considering previous Microsoft practices.)
~ kjrose
Well of course.
How else am I, as the operating system, supposed to know that this completely unknown executable you've just stuck on the drive handles foodlewidgets unless you tell me that it handles foodlewidgets?
No conspiracy here people. Move along now...
Cheers,
Ian
It disables further updates/patches for users who run XP with pirated activation numbers. I think this is horribly irresponsible
So let me get this straight, not only should a company be OK with people using pirated copies of their software, they should also offer software updates to those people? Maybe 24-hour tech support too just in case?
I don't run XP and don't plan to. However, they are offering an update to their paying customers, I have NO clue why you think they should cater to people stealing their software too.
Mark
It sounds like they don't know all the stolen keys, but rather that a large percentage of people installed a warez copy using one particular large customer serial number (for those who don't know: Microsoft made the normal versions of XP that require activation [and only one computer can activate with one key so that's intrinsically secure], but they also made a large customer copy that does not require activation, and allows an enterprise customer to install company wide with one key. It is those copies that made their way into the warez channels), so it sounds like the update will check if your system has that one serial number.
Microsoft will probably learn from the large vendor experience, and likely in the next iteration of product activation, non-activation enabled copies will have a key that is keyed against a certain domain tree, allowing only computers under the domain *.ibm.com for instance to install the enterprise copies with the IBM specific key, with reduced functionality until the computer joins the domain.
since I refuse to pay for XP, I wouldn't be able to upgrade
If you didn't pay, you shouldn't have anything to upgrade in the first place. The fact that software should be free doesn't mean that we can refuse to pay companies who want us to. As silly as Microsoft sometimes are, I entirely approve the anti-piracy part of this.
Guilt? There is no guilt. In an attempt show good faith efforts being made, Microsoft will start modularizing their OS.
Soon, spurred by the concept of modularity, they will make the jump to encapsulation. Further moved by the benefits this produces, they will convert all Microsoft codebases to Visual C++.
After the massive outcry from all the people who really hate C++ because few things need the OOP that C++ gives you (and b/c Microsoft's default OS install will have bloated to 2GB) Microsoft will slowly convert everything over to C#, and the entire operating system will then be based on .Net.
Spurred on by this, Microsoft will then drop the current licensing scheme, and offer operating systems as .Net service only - .Net boot loaders will be free.
Soon, licensing will be directly attached to your .Net Passport, and corporate logins will be another service of Windows.Net. Companies will pay exorbitant fees to set up XP.Net Networks. No one will need Exchange anymore, as we will all have Hotmail.Net accounts, now a pay-per-message service. There will be surcharges for leaving a company, as your Identity.Net profile will have to be updated.
Microsoft will then make the push to DataCenter.Net - ending support for hard disks in client computers accidentally when a particularly malicious .Net virus they can't seem to kill prevents any fixed drives from functioning on computers with a video card. All companies will be required to license DataCenter.Net on a Hardware.Net compliant server to be able to store any files on fixed media, or they can purchase private space on Microsoft's CentralFile.Net.
The need for bandwidth will increase exponentially, as your will need to download an operating system everytime you log in. To improvie the bandwidth situation at your company, you will be able to license OSProxy.Net. To cope with the ever-increasing need for their own bandwidth, starting up a computer will become a "service" of Microsoft, as will OS updates, even minor builds. To prevent version conflicts, you will only be able to have the most recent version of Windows.Net. If an upgrade occurs and your computer is not capable of handling the new version (which you just paid for by attempting to download it), you will receive a message directing you to both local stores where you can purchase acceptable hardware and computer recycling centers.
Excited by the money Microsoft is making with this method, software vendors will flock to join the Software.Net program, allowing you to pay usage licensing instead of flat rates for almost any program or utility. Many gaming companies will stick with CDs, with increased development for Macintosh and Linux. Sadly, installing from a CD will require a small per-use fee for Add/Remove Programs.Net
On the upside, though. Windows.Net will be completely modular, ensuring that you can use any browser you wish to take the time of loading each time you start up.
That what was all this school was for... to teach us how to solve our own problems. -- janeowit
The service pack doesn't make Windows modular, it just makes it look like Windows is modular. As many others have said, Microsoft is being pretty smart by making this move. They're trying to blow a hole in the case continued by the nine other states and DC.
Pirated? I dunno about that, I have a shared copy of WinXP Pro, probably with one of "those" keys. I'll pay for it when my refund arrives for the OEM copy of Win98SE that I was forced to pay for on my laptop (now running SuSE), i.e. the 2nd of Never.
If any Microserf are reading, the only reason that I still boot to Windows is to play games. Offer me a stripped down OS that presents an API subset limited to DirectX, OGL and enough of the WinAPI to let me install and start a game, at a reasonable price ($30) without any idiotic licensing or activation crap, and I'll buy it. Short of that, forget it. Every dumbed down "Telletubbies" new Windows version, every curate's egg upgrade, every bluster and threat and waved MicroFist just brings me closer to the point where I'll wipe the Windows partition and take my chance with WineX. When that happens, you lose any chance of getting any more money out of me, ever.
If you were blocking sigs, you wouldn't have to read this.
I don't believe so because internet explorer IS the interface. The IE DLL's are doing double duty as also core O/S files. It's similar to what would happen if you took the Mozilla shared libraries and built them into the base kernel. Yes, Mozilla will run faster and it will boot up when you start the machine and make it look pretty (it would also probably replace window managers and X). However, you would then be totally unable to uninstall Mozilla because it's now intermingled with the kernel code.
"Christ what a design! I could eat a handful of iron filings and PUKE a better emergency pump than that!"
XP is the king of all desktops
Linux is the king of all servers
I use XP to browse the web, play games, do my accounting, word processing, coding, etc.
I use Linux as a web, email, ftp, mysql and ssh server.
While Mira is nifty, it is not that big of a deal. A tabletized X-terminal would be relatively trivial to produce. The only thing Microsoft brings to the table is traditional Microsoft marketing. This leads to the only problem I see with the Mira: Microsoft.
Healthcare article at Kuro5hin
Permitting and even encouraging unpatched machines is a bad policy. Pirated software or not, the machines are a hazard to local networks and the internet as a whole. They serve as launching points and targets for worms and viruses. I believe it is irresponsible to leave these machines on the internet, but it is even more responsible to deny them patches. If not for the sake of their machine, then for the sake of MY machine and my email quota.
This is similar giving fresh needles to drug users. It is not just to protect the users, but also those around them who would otherwise share dirty needles. Is it just helping the pirates (drug users)? No way! It's better for the your network (your adventureous son/daughter), too.
I understand that some people would prefer not to deal with these problems in this way and it's okay to disagree. I'm surprised to see my comment moderated as a troll. Everyone take off your blinders for a second and think a little about the problem.
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