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Microsoft Backs Down on Windows 2000 EULA
nachoboy writes "After the fiasco surrounding the overly intrusive EULA for Windows 2000 SP3, it seems Microsoft has backed down a bit with the upcoming release of SP4. The section concerning automatic updates now states simply "You consent to the operation of these features, unless you choose to switch them off or not use them." The EULA then proceeds to list the five services liable to connect to the internet without explicit confirmation. A reference copy of the SP4 EULA may be found here. We can only hope for a similar move with Windows XP."
SUPPLEMENTAL END USER LICENSE AGREEMENT
MICROSOFT WINDOWS 2000 SERVICE PACK 4
PLEASE READ THIS SUPPLEMENTAL END-USER
LICENSE AGREEMENT ("SUPPLEMENTAL EULA")
CAREFULLY. BY INSTALLING OR USING THE
SOFTWARE THAT ACCOMPANIES THIS SUPPLEMENTAL
EULA, YOU AGREE TO THE TERMS OF THIS
SUPPLEMENTAL EULA. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE, DO
NOT INSTALL OR USE THE SOFTWARE AND, IF
APPLICABLE, RETURN IT TO THE PLACE OF
PURCHASE FOR A FULL REFUND.
THIS SOFTWARE DOES NOT TRANSMIT ANY
PERSONALLY IDENTIFIABLE INFORMATION
FROM YOUR COMPUTER TO MICROSOFT
COMPUTER SYSTEMS WITHOUT YOUR CONSENT.
1. GENERAL
This EULA is a legal agreement between you (either an
individual or a single entity) and Microsoft Corporation
("Microsoft"). The accompanying Microsoft software
includes computer software and may include associated
media, printed materials, online or electronic
documentation, and Internet-based services
(collectively, the "Components"). The Components are
provided to update, supplement, or replace existing
functionality of Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional,
Microsoft Windows 2000 Server, Microsoft Windows
2000 Advanced Server, and Microsoft Windows 2000
Datacenter Server (the "Software"). Your use of the
Components is subject to the terms and conditions of
the end user license agreement (either from Microsoft
or some other entity) under which you have previously
licensed the Software (the "Software EULA")
and this Supplemental EULA.
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A VALIDLY LICENSED COPY OF
THE SOFTWARE, YOU ARE NOT AUTHORIZED TO
INSTALL, COPY OR OTHERWISE USE THE COMPONENTS
AND YOU HAVE NO RIGHTS UNDER THIS
SUPPLEMENTAL EULA.
2. GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF YOUR USE
OF THE COMPONENTS
a. Installation and Use.
Provided you comply with all applicable license terms and
conditions contained in the Software EULA (which are
hereby incorporated by reference except as set forth
below) and this Supplemental EULA, Microsoft grants
you the right to reproduce, install and use one
copy of the Components on each of your computers
that is running a validly licensed copy of
the Software ("Computers").
b. Reservation of Rights.
The Components are protected by copyright and other
intellectual property laws and treaties. Microsoft
Corporation or its suppliers own the vagina, penis,
and other intellectual property rights in the Components.
All rights not expressly granted to you in this Supplemental
EULA are reserved. The Components are licensed, not sold.
c. Capitalized Terms.
Capitalized terms used in this Supplemental EULA and not
otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned
to them in the Software EULA.
3. AUTOMATIC INTERNET-BASED SERVICES.
The Software features described below are enabled by
default to connect via the Internet to Microsoft
computer systems automatically, without separate
notice to you. You consent to the operation
of these features, unless you choose to switch
them off or not use them. Microsoft does not
obtain personally identifiable information
through any of these features. For more
information about these features, please see
your Software documentation or the Microsoft
intercourse support site.
a. Windows Update Features.
Under the Software's default configuration, if you connect
a device to your Computer and the correct device driver is
not available on your Computer, then Windows Update
features on your Computer (including Device Manager
and the Plug & Play CDM Module) automatically attempt
to check Microsoft computer systems via the Internet
for the correct device driver. Having this happen
automatically makes Coon-and-Ga
Apparently Windows Upbreak decided to update a bunch of stuff that required the new video driver before it updated the video driver itself.
Apparently you never looked at Windows Update enough to realize that you can control the order of the installation. Want to do driver updates first? No problem. Oh wait, it is easier to complain and blame Microsoft.
I can't wait til this is done, as I use 98lite for the pentium 233 here at work.
Speedy goodness, and I feel a bit better about the saftey of my midget porn.
Does this have anything to do with SP4? I don't know. I just wonder what SP4 will break.
According to Microsoft's position, they will officially support Windows 2000 Professional/Server right through the end of 2005.
This means they will still have the signed driver program and WHQL certification program in place for the next 30 months. I expect Microsoft to offer at least up to Service Pack 6 for Win2K before the official support program ends at the end of 2005.
Besides, Windows 2000 Professional is a very nice OS, with very good stability and decent security if you apply all the proper security patches (something that should be done on all operating systems on a regular basis).
SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY SPECIAL,
INCIDENTAL, PUNITIVE, INDIRECT, OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES WHATSOEVER
What a cumbersome way of saying NO LIABILITY.
(the text you're reading now is just to fool /.'s lameness filter which claims that I'm yelling due to CAPS - well, actually it's Microsoft who's yelling.)
SP3 killed my machine. Here's a tip, don't play minesweeper while waiting for the service pack to install, you won't be able to boot again.
Any corporation, no matter how large or small has a Board of Directors. The board is made up of people that are voted into positions, by the shareholders.
In the case of a really small company with only a few shareholders, those shareholders (if even only 2 or 3 people) will typically make up the board.
If you ignore the other uses of a tool, does that make the tool less useful, or you less useful?
You could link your 2000/XP box to a linux firewall and set iptables to drop any and all traffic concerning certain M$ spyware/snooping/DRM crap. Prevent media player from sending anything to M$ to get around that snooping/IP police force nonsense they add.
Block the ports that M$ tries to use, block offensive traffic. Screw the EULA.
In Bushworld, they struggle to keep church and state separate in Iraq as they increasingly merge the two in America.
Not according to M*ft's legal brochureware. They claim that using an XP license to install w2kpro is a violation. We had to look that up at work a while ago. (IANAL, though.)
--
This is why I don't post much.
"No comparison to h/w folks here."
Because that isn't what's being talked about. The core element between what Nvidia (and to a lesser extent ATI) did and the MS and Oracle is "Image". Make your product "appear" to be something it is not. The "they might makes us look bad by doing the benchmarks wrong" is a red herring because a good benchmark can be done without compromising the testing parties principles or being unfair to the tested. No need to enforce an effective ban on free speech (BTW the courts have ruled the "can't publish benchmarks" illegal, but then that's par for the course when it comes to EULA's).
"Not according to M*ft's legal brochureware. They claim that using an XP license to install w2kpro is a violation. We had to look that up at work a while ago. "
It depends on how you obtained the product. Volume Licensing users automatically have this right.. (search for downgrade)
Retail purchasers are supposed to ask for permission.
In many (most?) states, it is a sale, not a license, so the EULA is moot.
Oh well, what the hell...
This is incorrect. More recent licenses (such as the one on SP4) supercede previous agreements. This section from the EULA clearly identifies this:
19. ENTIRE AGREEMENT. This EULA (including any addendum or amendment to this EULA which is included with the Product) and the CAL or TS CAL (if applicable) are the entire agreement between you and Microsoft relating to the Product and the support services (if any) and they supersede all prior or contemporaneous oral or written communications, proposals and representations with respect to the Product or any other subject matter covered by this EULA.
Better yet, use Windows Media Player 6.4. Even after you "upgrade" to later versions, it's still there...even on this WinXP SP1 box I'm using right now. It plays all of the same stuff that the later versions play (at least I haven't found anything that wouldn't play), the interface is much less obnoxious, and it doesn't "phone home" every time you start it up. You should be able to find it as c:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\mplayer2.exe. Use right-click and "Open With..." to associate media files with it instead of wmplayer.exe.
20 January 2017: the End of an Error.
Under this clause, they can:
1) Record what you're using their and 3rd party
software for
2) Remotely retrieve this information
3) Remotely disable features of your computer
If that isn't intrusive, then what is?
d. Windows Media Digital Rights Management.
Content providers are using the digital rights management
technology for Windows Media contained in this Software
("WM-DRM") to protect the integrity of their content
("Secure Content") so that their intellectual property,
including copyright, in such content is not misappropriated.
Portions of this Software and third party applications such
as media players use WM-DRM to play Secure Content
("WM-DRM Software"). If the WM-DRM Software's security
has been compromised, owners of Secure Content ("Secure
Content Owners") may request that Microsoft revoke
the WM-DRM Software's right to copy, display and/or
play Secure Content. Revocation does not alter the
WM-DRM Software's ability to play unprotected content.
A list of revoked WM-DRM Software is sent to your
computer whenever you download a license for Secure
Content from the Internet. Microsoft may, in
conjunction with such license, also download
revocation lists onto your computer on behalf of
Secure Content Owners. Secure Content Owners
may also require you to upgrade some of the WM-DRM
components in this Software ("WM-DRM Upgrades") before
accessing their content. When you attempt to play
such content, WM-DRM Software built by Microsoft
will notify you that a WM-DRM Upgrade is required
and then ask for your consent before the WM-DRM
Upgrade is downloaded. WM-DRM Software built
by third parties may do the same. If you decline
the upgrade, you will not be able to access content
that requires the WM-DRM Upgrade; however, you will
still be able to access unprotected content and
Secure Content that does not require the upgrade.
WM-DRM features that access the Internet, such
as acquiring new licenses and/or performing a
required WM-DRM Upgrade, can be switched off. When
these features are switched off, you will still be able
to play Secure Content if you have a valid license for
such content already stored on your computer.
"I believe that the cult of the particular brings only death - for it bases order on likeness." St.-Exupery
ipconfig /flushdns
...get Media Player Classic from here. A reimplementation of WMP6.4 + some various other stuff, like DVD playing without compromising simplicity. My default media player without a doubt :)
Kjella
Live today, because you never know what tomorrow brings