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Windows Nag Windows to Counter Piracy

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the pirate-vein-rupture dept.

Vicegrip writes "Microsoft is enhancing its Genuine Advantage program in the US, Australia, UK, Malaysia and NZ to now include persistent nag screens to remind that your version of Windows is not licensed. These nag screens will keep appearing until you license your version of Windows or, presumably, convince Microsoft they've made a mistake."

23 of 548 comments (clear)

  1. Next move... by phy_si_kal · · Score: 5, Funny

    The 8th edition : MS Windows Vista $hareware

    1. Re:Next move... by lar3ry · · Score: 4, Funny

      So, what will Vista be? NT 5.1.0.1?

      --
      "May I have ten thousand marbles, please?"
    2. Re:Next move... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

      I like your comment on Vista becoming "XP warmed over". But there is a problem. "Vista" is non-compliant with traditional Microsoft OS names. Here are my suggested product names based on compatibility with MS standard naming convention:

      Windows 2007 Dull but it worked in 1995, 1998, 2000, and 2003
      Windows XP 2007 XP, new and improved for 2007
      Windows X[Q...Z] If XP is "extra pain", then XQ is ...
      Windows ME 2007 ME is Redmond-speak for "warmed over". Ah, the nostalgia of it all
      Windows XP Service Pack 3 Truth in advertising
      Windows H1B Even more truth in advertising; introduces third character to embrace and extend the two-character "standard" into the future
      Windows DRM Ultimate truth in advertising.

  2. obligatory by phase_9 · · Score: 5, Funny

    cracks in 3...2...

    1. Re:obligatory by Asphalt · · Score: 4, Funny
      Am I crippling Windows?

      No, it comes that way out of the box.

    2. Re:obligatory by operagost · · Score: 5, Funny

      I'm sorry, Dave, I'm afraid you can't do that ...

      --

      Gamingmuseum.com: Give your 3D accelerator a rest.
    3. Re:obligatory by pinkocommie · · Score: 3, Funny

      Gives a whole new meaning to 'rooted' :)

  3. My Mother by cheese-cube · · Score: 5, Funny

    So can I presume that it will then start telling me to clean my room, do the dishes and take out the bins?

    1. Re:My Mother by cp.tar · · Score: 5, Funny

      *Clippy*

      It looks like you're trying to play a game!
      However, your room needs cleaning and your dishes need washing first.
      And why don't you go out and play with other kids instead of being closed in your room with nothing but a computer?
      Off you go now!

      --
      Ignore this signature. By order.
  4. Why not? by Valdrax · · Score: 4, Funny

    Hey, why not? After all, I'm sure you're like me and you've registered every bit of shareware that had nag screens, right?

    --
    If it's for-profit but free, you're not the customer -- you're the product (e.g., the Slashdot Beta's "audience").
    1. Re:Why not? by Rob+T+Firefly · · Score: 5, Funny

      I have one handy old app (which shall remain nameless) that recently informed me that I'm on day 1,200 of my 30 day trial period. It's just a battle of wills at this point.

      --
      Slashdot Burying Stories About Slashdot Media Owned
    2. Re:Why not? by elcanon · · Score: 5, Funny

      The real headline here is that you've presumably managed to keep a Windows installation intact for 1,200 days for this to happen.

  5. Will I notice? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I won't even notice that message with all the other Window's errors I get on the screen and all the reminders from every program that needs to update.

  6. It should say by Stevyn · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Even though you are using an unlicensed copy, you're still helping up maintain marketshare. Thank you."

  7. Check Google tomorrow.... by Brad1138 · · Score: 5, Funny

    For the hack to fix this.

    --
    If you could reason with religious people, there would be no religious people
  8. Now that's funny! by Billosaur · · Score: 4, Funny

    FTA: Microsoft says that every time a notification is displayed, the user will receive detailed information about the specific validation failure. The information includes steps that can be taken to resolve the problem.

    These don't seem to include, "try Linux instead".

    Oh to be able to hack Genuine Advantage...

    --
    GetOuttaMySpace - The Anti-Social Network
  9. Mistake? by StevenHenderson · · Score: 4, Funny
    or, presumably, convince Microsoft they've made a mistake...

    Well, the software got out the door, so aren't we a little late on this? :)

  10. Screen Shots Please ... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'd like one for the wallpaper on my very proper corporate desktop. Just to give the Sysadmins heart failure.

  11. a n00b writes... by inigopete · · Score: 3, Funny
    or, presumably, convince Microsoft they've made a mistake.

    has _anyone_ done this?

  12. Anagram by null+etc. · · Score: 5, Funny

    Genuine Advantage Notification = GAN = NAG spelled backwards. Coincedence?

  13. Re:Or, presumably, until you UNINSTALL by truthsearch · · Score: 3, Funny

    Did I just violate the DMCA by disclosing this?

    Yes.

    We'll see you in a few minutes. Thanks.

    - BSA

    --
    Developers: We can use your help.
  14. Doesn't work by DnemoniX · · Score: 3, Funny

    I just suggested this to a friend and he reported back that it says it can not be uninstalled.

  15. Re:Why I pirate Windows. by Spy+der+Mann · · Score: 4, Funny

    XP is very stable.

    I agree, the botnet running on my cousin's PC hasn't crashed in months. Go, Microsoft! :)