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Upgrade Trick Still Present In Vista SP1

Posted by kdawson on from the pricing-is-an-art dept.

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."

8 of 373 comments (clear)

  1. Sophisticated Buyers by Enderandrew · · Score: 5, Funny

    You're suggesting that sophisticated buyers are buying Vista.

    --
    http://blindscribblings.com - Tasty pop-culture in conceptual fashion.
    1. Re:Sophisticated Buyers by Rary · · Score: 5, Insightful

      ...though it is a resource pig. I'm using over a gig of ram right now just for Outlook, a few putty sessions, Pidgin and Firefox.

      No it's not. It's actually making better use of your RAM.

      In my opinion, Vista is only for sophisticated users. Sophisticated users (developers, for example) tend to already go for high end systems, and are willing (and able) to learn new stuff. Ordinary users are resistant to change. They don't want to learn a new way of doing things, and switching to Vista would force them to do that (as would switching to Linux or OSX). There are generally (though not always) pretty good reasons for Vista changing the way these things are done (ie. additional functionality), but those who refuse to learn something new should just stick with what they know.

      All that said, after having used it for two months I really don't see any compelling new feature or reason to upgrade from XP...

      I'm inclined to agree. If you're happy with XP, stick with it. But if you're out looking for a new computer, unlike most Slashdotters (who have likely never even tried Vista), I'd happily recommend getting one with Vista -- as long as the person I'm recommending it to is willing to put in the effort to learn something new.

      --

      "You cannot simultaneously prevent and prepare for war." -- Albert Einstein

  2. The wonders of rationalization by dlsmith · · Score: 5, Insightful

    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 And I'm sure my neighbor leaves his front door unlocked because he wants me to come on in and make a sandwich.
    1. Re:The wonders of rationalization by Triv · · Score: 5, Funny

      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

  3. Research shows... by Starturtle · · Score: 5, Insightful

    ...you're more inclined to buy something you don't want if you think you're getting a deal or getting away with something.

  4. That word does not mean what you think it does by victim · · Score: 5, Funny

    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."

  5. Re:I'll accept it in your stead by lattyware · · Score: 5, Funny

    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.

    --
    -- Lattyware (www.lattyware.co.uk)
  6. Re:What does the EULA permit? by mbge7psh · · Score: 5, Informative
    From the EULA:

    13. UPGRADES. To use upgrade software, you must first be licensed for the software that is eligible for the upgrade. Upon upgrade, this agreement takes the place of the agreement for the software you upgraded from. After you upgrade, you may no longer use the software you upgraded from. Buying the upgrade version when your not entitled to it doesn't make you copy any more legal than a pirated copy.