Microsoft Piracy Plan Means Concerns for IT

coondoggie writes to mention an article on Information Week about possible unintended consequences of the Microsoft Software Protection Plan (SPP) discussed on Slashdot on Wednesday. The new initiative is intended to protect consumers from pirated software, but may cause major headaches for IT shops. From the article: "Microsoft will support SPP in current and future reporting and asset management tools such as System Center Operations Manager. 'On paper it might sound pretty good, but we have to see how it works,' says Jeff Allred, manager of network services for the Duke University Cancer Center. One of his concerns is that a reduced functionality mode kicks in three days after changing out a motherboard in a server if the software is not revalidated. 'That really jumped out at me. We change out motherboards in our servers all the time,' he says. The provision only covers a swap with a non-OEM motherboard, which Allred admits doesn't happen often."

Comments

Motherboards

[Daemonstar]

We change out motherboards in our servers all the time

Uh, it sounds like you need to find a better vendor if you're changing out motherboards "all the time". :P

Re:HUH??

[billcopc]

I am the pusher robot. I am here to protect you. I am here to protect you from the terrible secret of space.

Pushing is not the answer. I am the shover robot. I shove you around. I am here to protect you from the terrible secret of space.

(sorry, couldn't resist)

Seriously, please pay MS so they can save me from me. I am my own worst enemy when it comes to working in my chosen trade. This will just lead more honest people to use 3rd party cracks and cheats to work around this crippleware so they can do their work unhindered.