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Pirating Software? Choose Microsoft!

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the where-do-you-want-to-keycrack-today dept.

An anonymous reader writes "ArsTechnica is running a story regarding comments by Microsoft Business Group President Jeff Raikes, who had a pithy comment on the subject of software piracy. His view is that, should software piracy occur, Microsoft's desire is that the pirated software should be theirs. Potentially, in the future, they could then convert the illegal users from the 'dark side' into legit users who obtain licenses. 'We understand that in the long run the fundamental asset is the installed base of people who are using our products. What you hope to do over time is convert them to licensing the software.' Obviously Microsoft prefers the market to use their software even if it's pirated, rather than the alternative: the use of free software."

5 of 264 comments (clear)

  1. The link by thammoud · · Score: 5, Funny

    missed the first couple of sentences.

  2. Still not gonna do it. by $RANDOMLUSER · · Score: 5, Funny

    I'm running a pirated version of Gentoo, and that's where I'm staying.

    --
    No folly is more costly than the folly of intolerant idealism. - Winston Churchill
    1. Re:Still not gonna do it. by manno · · Score: 5, Funny

      I think that's what I'm going to tell people about OpenOffice.org. I'm just going to say it's a super premium software package that costs upwards of $1000, and that I'm giving them a pirated version.

      When I tell people that I refuse to install a pirated version of MS office on their PC's they get peeved at me, and when I install a free alternative they give it 5 seconds, don't try to learn it, and get a pirated version of MS Office from someone else. Furthering Microsoft's hegemony.

      Maybe if I tried to sell OO.o, with a pitch like.

      "I don't even have a copy of that piece of junk(MS Office) I use a more robust office package for the business, I got it for a song at $1,100 per seat. I can let you bum a license off me for free."

      But these are friends mostly, and I hate being dishonest particularly with people I choose to do favors for. If only I had the soul of a MS marketing director...

      -manno

  3. Re:So that explains WGA relaxation? by stasike · · Score: 3, Funny

    If you are afraid that your pst file might get deleted definitely use OneCare ;-)

  4. Re:is this how CS students make friends? :P by dattaway · · Score: 4, Funny

    Well, it is a crime to pirate software, so let's start calling the police. Most people call 911 when a crime is committed, right?

    "911, what is your emergency?"
    "My neighbor just pirated Microsoft Office."
    "what?"
    "My neighbor is pirating software!"
    *click*