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Buy PC Without an OS... Get a Visit From MSFT?

sebFlyte writes "'Don't sell PCs without operating systems or we'll send the boys round.' That seems to be the general message coming out of microsoft's antipiracy unit, according to ZDNet. While MS seems to accept that people might want to get hold of PCs without Windows so they can put Linux on them, they don't think that's a good enough excuse. "We want to urge all system builders -- indeed, all Partners -- not to supply naked PCs. It is a risk to your customers and a risk to your business," says Microsoft. The FSF has given this policy short shrift, saying: "It looks like a private sniffing service which is supposed to spy on these who do not want to pay the Microsoft tax anymore. It is an incredible piece of impudence.""

15 of 639 comments (clear)

  1. Naked and Risky, sounds like fun! by John+Little+John · · Score: 1, Funny

    We want to urge all system builders -- indeed, all Partners -- not to supply naked PCs. It is a risk to your customers and a risk to your business

    Puritans!

    --
    The sharp edge of a razor is difficult to cross. Thus the wise say the path to salvation is hard...
  2. it sounds like this.. by ehrichweiss · · Score: 5, Funny

    Nice computer you got there....it'd be a shame if something....'appened to it..

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    0x09F911029D74E35BD84156C5635688C0
    1. Re:it sounds like this.. by gEvil+(beta) · · Score: 4, Funny

      Nice computer you got there....it'd be a shame if something....'appened to it..

      Y'mean like putting Windows on it? : p

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      This guy's the limit!
  3. Standard Profit Joke by Sonic+McTails · · Score: 2, Funny

    1. Sell PCs without Windows
    2. Get visited by Microsoft
    3. Get sent to federal pound-me-in-the-ass prison
    4. ???
    5. PROFIT

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    This signature was left intentionally blank.
  4. Re:Headline wrong by walt-sjc · · Score: 2, Funny

    Mod me down. I didn't read far enough :-(

  5. Naked PCs? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Funny
    A quote from the article:

    "We want to urge all system builders -- indeed, all Partners -- not to supply naked PCs. It is a risk to your customers and a risk to your business -- with specifically 5 percent fewer opportunities to market software and services," wrote Alexander.

    So, since they don't want "naked PCs"...they want you to install a "clothed-source OS" ?

    hahahahah

    T.Dzubin (submitting as Anon 'cause I've forgotten my login password)

  6. With a little help from their 'friends' by MECC · · Score: 4, Funny


    MS will be able to track purchases, and if it looks like you're building your own systems, they come to mess you up. Afterall, pirates are just like terrorists, except for the eyepatch, the big hat, and the dead parot.

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    "We are all geniuses when we dream"
    - E.M. Cioran
  7. Which risk is worse? by digitaldc · · Score: 3, Funny

    is a risk to your customers and a risk to your business," says Microsoft.

    Well as soon as you install Windows, there is a risk of being attacked and infected. So the risk is about the same.

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    He who knows best knows how little he knows. - Thomas Jefferson
  8. Fjiords! by uberjoe · · Score: 2, Funny

    That Parrot's not dead, he's just resting.

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    The days of the digital watch are numbered.

  9. Re:Build your own by DerGeist · · Score: 5, Funny
    Or just blame piracy. See, it's win-win. Blaming piracy can never lose because it's unfalsifiable.

    Blame pirates, being suing people randomly/needlessly. There are three possibilities:

    1) Sales go up (The pirates were the problem! Let's kill the bastards!
    2) Sales go down. (We aren't being harsh enough on the pirates! They're still stealing from us, we need to crack down harder!)
    3) Sales stay the same. (The pirates are still pirating as much as they always have, we need to send a firmer message! KILL THE PIRATES!)

    By blaming all their problems on the invisible spectre of "pirates" companies can justify virtually any legal action and come out looking fine since, after all, they were just protecting themselves against those damned pirates.

    I also nominate myself for the Award for Post with the Most Uses of the word "Pirate."

  10. Blank media anyone? by fernandoh26 · · Score: 1, Funny

    In unrelated news.... the MPAA and RIAA have urged all distributors and manufacturers of blank CD and DVD media to completely stop making ALL types of blank media........ :P

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    Chums up, let's do this!
  11. microsoft selling insurance by observer7 · · Score: 2, Funny

    ...so you wont end up swiming with the fishs

  12. What about Apple computers? by Easy2RememberNick · · Score: 3, Funny

    You think that's bad try to buy a Mac without an OS on it!

  13. About that... by Mattcelt · · Score: 2, Funny

    ...where is my flying car??!?

  14. Re:MSDS -- hilarious typo title! by hackstraw · · Score: 2, Funny


    MSDS stands for "Material Safety Data Sheet". Its something you have to have around when you have hazardous materials in a workplace. It tells stuff like LD50 values, fire control, etc.

    Excellent typo for MSDN!