Upgrade Trick Still Present In Vista SP1

Chris Blanc writes "The new Service Pack 1 version of Windows Vista allows end users to purchase the 'upgrade edition' and install it on any PC — with no need to purchase the more expensive 'full edition.' The same behavior was present when Vista was originally released, but the fact that the trick wasn't removed from SP1 suggests that Microsoft executives approved the back door as a way to make the price of Vista more appealing to sophisticated buyers."

Comments

Alternatively

[adpsimpson]

I hear Ubuntu allows the full installation on any machine too...

Yeah, ok, I'll accept my -1, Troll.

Re:Alternatively

[Shakrai]

Yeah, ok, I'll accept my -1, Troll.

I wouldn't worry about that.

See, you've used the time honored Slashdot tradition of daring the moderators to mod you down. Such statements display a remarkable understanding of /. politics and show that you aren't afraid to go against the group. I'm hard pressed to think of a better way to ensure that your comment winds up with postive moderation -- short of a 4 digit UID, large cash contributions or being a former actor from Star Trek: The Next Generation ;)

Statements like "don't worry, I've got karma to burn" or "how long until I get modded down?" seem to be particularly effective ;)

Sophisticated Buyers

[Enderandrew]

You're suggesting that sophisticated buyers are buying Vista.

Re:Sophisticated Buyers

[God of Lemmings]

People constantly bashed on the Yugo and Chevrolet's Vega. It wasn't that they didn't go down the road perfectly for some people. It wasn't that they suited some people's need just fine, it was that they were unsafe and got people killed. Its true! Vista killed my dog!

Ahhh upgrade...

[SatanicPuppy]

I have a full version of Windows 95 lying around, and it has saved me quite a penny over the years.

It's definitely a scam; there is no reason why the "upgrade" should cost less, since it is identical to the full version and you can "upgrade" using an original disk that wasn't used to install the OS that's currently on the machine.

Re:Repackaged shit

[calebt3]

Would you prefer they repackage it for more, like the RIAA wants to do?

Sophistication

[imstanny]

but the fact that the trick wasn't removed from SP1 suggests that Microsoft executives approved the back door as a way to make the price of Vista more appealing to sophisticated buyers Dave: Excuse me, but the car you sold me is missing a gas tank. Salesman: Yes, we know. This is an upgradable model. We sell them to sophisticated buyers, hence the discount. Dave: So I can upgrade for free? Salesman: You're sophisticated, you'll figure it out. Dave: Well, what does it upgrade to? Salesman: All updated GPS maps can be downloaded directly from the dealer's website. Dave: Great! And what about the gas tank? Salesman: .................. Dave: Sir?!?!

Re:Sophistication

[imstanny]

I don't think you get it, this is like a car dealer with two identical cars on the lot, one's an upgrade and costs half as much as the other but to legally buy it you need an older version of the same car. The thing is, the dealer isn't checking if you have the older car so you can buy the cheaper one and save on money. I DO get it. My point is, even with the 'free' upgrade, you're still getting Windows.

Re:Sophistication

[luder]

Huh? The windows were missing, too?

I guess it's better than a money-back rebate

[davidwr]

They could do what Symantec, McAfee, and a lot of other vendors do:

Antivirus: $50 - $30 rebate - $20 upgrade rebate

Only it would be

Vista Home Basic: $399 - $100 rebate - $100 upgrade rebate = your price $99

Dear Sucker, we mean Customer:
To get the upgrade rebate, fill in the form with the version and registration keys or "Registered to:" number for both the old and new copies of Windows. Limit one upgrade rebate per new copy. Limit one upgrade credit per old copy. Violators will be persecuted, we mean prosecuted, to the full extent of the law.
Sincerely,
Microsoft Customer Relations

Re:I guess it's better than a money-back rebate

[Zontar_Thing_From_Ve]

Only it would be

Vista Home Basic: $399 - $100 rebate - $100 upgrade rebate = your price $99

OK, I see this post was modded as "funny", but
$399 - $100 - $100 != $99 (try $199)
Unintentional mistake? Or an example of what we might call "Microsoft Math"?

That word does not mean what you think it does

[victim]

sophisticated adj - aware of or able to interpret complex issues

But you've used it in a sentence where you meant "willing to commit fraud to steal a license, but not willing to outright steal the license in its entirety". We don't have an english word that completely covers that, but "criminal" would do. I'd rewrite the last line to end...

"the back door as a way to make Vista more appealing to criminals."

Re:The wonders of rationalization

[Triv]

And I'm sure my neighbor leaves his front door unlocked because he wants me to come on in and make a sandwich.

That reminds me: You're outta mayo.

--Your Neighbor

Re:Repackaged shit

[Digi-John]

Oooh, ooh, I know, mod parent up, +5 RIAA Tie-in

Re:I'll accept it in your stead

[lattyware]

If you can't manage to install Ubuntu, you deserve to run Windows. Seriously, it's so easy these days. Yeah, Those -1 trolls coming my way, I guess. But someone had to say it.

Re:i'll pass

[Anonymous Coward]

The more I hear about Vista the less I want it. In fact, I think I will just skip it all together.

Methinks we have found the true "sophisticated buyer".

Re:I'll accept it in your stead

[Dog-Cow]

The default install of Ubunto 10.whatever-it-is fails on VMware Fusion because Fusion presents the virtual disk as scsi and the front-end to Grub in the installer doesn't get it.

Re:I'll accept it in your stead

[Anonymous Coward]

The default install of Ubunto 10.whatever-it-is fails... I'm not surprised, Ubuntu 10.whatever is not entirely stable yet.

Re:I'll accept it in your stead

[Anonymous Coward]

I guess you can't spell Ubuntu! Wow, you really showed him.

He can capitalize letters and punctuate properly though so I'd cut him some slack.

Re:Sophistication?

[Pojut]

Quite good, actually. Been slowly moving up in my company, living in a condo with my girlfriend (who last June graduated from Towson and this past October got a job as a 3rd grade special ed teacher.)

We just finished paying off her car, got the last book in the Akira Manga series, managed to obtain an unpunched and unplayed copy of the board game Hero Quest, and my 24th birthday is tomorrow.

All told, things have been great.

Thanks for asking:-)

Re:IP35

[Curtman]

Sorry for my crappy English. I've been lurking around here in Slashdot for a long time now, way before I even created my account, but I tend to stay out of the discussions because of my lacking English writing skills, but this was something I think needed correction / another experience.

Don't let that stop you. Many people here speak English fine, but make no sense at all.

What?

[Arancaytar]

"the fact that the trick wasn't removed from SP1 suggests that Microsoft executives approved the back door as a way to make the price of Vista more appealing to sophisticated buyers."

Are you saying that MS deliberately levies an idiot tax on customers who are not smart enough to (well, partially) pirate their product?

That sounds a bit implausible to me.