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Microsoft Office Genuine Advantage (OGA)

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the have-to-lock-up-those-.docs dept.

Ant writes "PC World is reporting that Microsoft's Office Genuine Advantage (OGA) program will require mandatory validation of Office software starting October 27 (2006)." From the article: "Similarly, starting in January, users of Office Update will have to validate the legitimacy of their Office software before they can use the service, Microsoft added. Users absolutely hated the first iteration of the Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) program, and their protests pressured the company into revising it about a year after it launched in July 2005."

5 of 192 comments (clear)

  1. Huh? by aero2600-5 · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I don't understand Microsoft. The Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) is actually very easy to defeat, and I'm sure this new OGA will be just as easy. Why irritate customers when the people who intend to use without purchasing it will do so anyway? Did they buy a copy of Sony's playbook titled "How to piss away your loyal customers and then blame them for your lack of growth"?
    I really don't get it. Why continue to do something after it's been proven ineffective?
    Aero

    --
    Please stop hurting America -- Jon Stewart
  2. One more reason... by pla · · Score: 5, Insightful

    ...To never, ever upgrade from Office 97.

    Seriously... The more companies make the old or cracked versions of their products more useful than the latest-n'-greatest, the less right they have to whine about illegal copying and decreased sales.

    Whether we talk about DVDs or WGA or software that phones home, people just want to use what they own (and spare me the BS about licensing-vs-owning). Making that harder will eventually drive people to the competition, up to and including piracy.

  3. I shall call you - Mini-DRM by WillAffleckUW · · Score: 5, Funny

    Come closer, little Microsoft Genuine Advantage. Don't worry, I won't hurt you.

    You're just so cute!

    I think I will call you, Mini-DRM, because you're unwanted, intrusive, and I keep tripping over you while trying to use my legitimately purchased WinVista PCs!

    --
    -- Tigger warning: This post may contain tiggers! --
  4. Up next... by DaveM753 · · Score: 5, Funny

    Coming soon:

    PC World is reporting that Microsoft's Notepad Genuine Advantage (NGA) program will require mandatory validation of Notepad.exe starting [insert happy date here]"

  5. Who needs Open Office when you've got piracy? by Channard · · Score: 5, Insightful

    I work at a fairly large chain that sells, amongst other things, computers. None of these PCs come with Word or Office, rather they come with Works. I explain that Works may do what they want. I explain how much Office is, and sometimes I mention you can get Open Office for free, since I don't realistically think many people are going to lay out the cash in store for the software. Know what they say typically? 'I know someone who's got office, I can get them to copy it for free.' I used to mention product validation but now I just don't bother. It's just they know Word and Office and that's what they want, by hook or by crook.