Vista to be Downloadable (Legally)

ubermiester writes "InfoWorld reports that Windows Vista will be available for legal download as of January 30th — the same day it will be available in retail stores. MS-NBC Online notes that, 'a relatively low number of computer users are likely to get Vista by downloading it from the Internet, but the mere availability indicates that Microsoft is fiddling with distribution methods for the extremely profitable franchise at the core of its business.' It will be available via the MS Marketplace site in conjunction with a Circuit City offering. Additionally, users who decide to 'upgrade' to a more expensive version of the OS can simply activate the features they want by unlocking them via online activation."

Comments

Sarbanes-Oxley Act

[Archangel Michael]

I wonder if this is a violation of Sarbanes-Oxley Act like Apple says here ..

http://apple.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=07/01/16/ 2127204

Bad for the environment

[twitter]

As much as some can hate Microsoft, this is good and others should follow. At least good for the environment, less hardware, less energy used for shipping.

That's a joke?

Just in case you mean it, let's review:

• Free software has been downloadable for ever. I doubt "software activation" will compare favorably with any of the free software package systems for utility or ease of use.
• By refusing to install, XP "obsoleted" equipment like the PII laptop I'm using to write this. Vista, with it's 10 GB footprint and massive RAM and video requirments, is on track to make even more toxic waste of perfectly good equipment.
• The equipment required to run Vista is going to be very power hungry, requiring as much power for the graphics as older computers used for everything.

So, as usual, M$ is following badly, making waste and encouraging power waste. This violates every tennet of eco friendly behavior. Refurbish, reuse and recycle is not something you can do Vista and it's going to suck like never before.

Re:Bad for the environment

[twitter]

You're really clutching at straws now, aren't you?

I'm not sure what my biggest fan means above, but I imagine he things that the M$ upgrade train and Vista are going to be good for the environment. That's something I wish were true but intentional waste of computers has been very bad where they usually end up. Next you will tell me that the intentional waste of Vista will be good for the economy.