WGA does not check up on you! Microsoft would have no reason to do such things, nobody can ever give a conclusive reason as to why they would spy on users. WGA is a serial number check, nothing else.
They still haven't denied that WGA will disable windows - they just claim it won't turn your computer off.
I'd say that's talking down to people (for some people, at least, turn off PC might equal disable Windows).
And the problem is that most people don't like being watched.
There's nothing about being watched. It's checking a random string of characters against a list of other strings to see if it's a banned one. That is all. If Microsoft were monitoring peoples' webcams you'd have a right to be concerned, but as it is...nah.
There would have been no kill switch story if M$ had just been honest to begin with. They are not honest, so all you are left with is the facts: WGA installs itself, if you don't have it they won't give you "updates", when installed it phones home every day.
You have the facts, they came from Microsoft. Please explain how that isn't honesty.
Speculation based on those facts and previous behavior is natural. For years, minor changes to your hardware would stop your M$ computer from working ether through technical failure or forced reregistration. Given their willingness to ship buggy product and previous mechanisms that "turn your computer off", a reasonable person would guess WGA would be doing the same thing. Indeed, what's it going to do if it does find a "non genuine copy"?
It's not registration, or reregistration. See below.
Most likely withhold security updates. And Microsoft has no responsibility to support people with pirated versions of their OS, nor to allow people to use pirated versions of their OS. They made their policy nice and clear; you either activate and prove your copy of Windows is legal or it won't let you use it. This is common knowledge, and most people (most LEGAL Windows users) don't care.
M$'s intentionally bad non free driver situation can be compared to live CDs. Knoppix, auto configures in less time than it takes XP to boot and still has room for a complete office suite and web server. Changing hardware in a M$ computer is tricky at best. Even if you are successful, you will often be forced to re register.
Knoppix does NOT auto-configure in the time it takes XP to boot. That is a FLAT OUT LIE. Jesus, twitter, you've reached new depths. XP takes about 20 seconds to boot, Knoppix can take minutes on the same PC. And while it may have an office suite and a web server etc, it's still incredibly slow by virtue of running from a CD.
M$'s practice of forced reregistration on minor hardware changes has no parallel in any industry.
They don't force you to "register", they force you to "activate". Register implies they keep details on file. As it is, the activation does not require any personal details, and as such it is not required to give your name or any details about you to activate. If you're concerned that they'll send the name you supplied during install, don't supply a name during install. Call yourself Jimbob Glory or Piss Corp. if you must.
And while we're on the topic, it's not "minor hardware changes", but please read this. That actually IS reregistration. They DO keep your details on file. See the difference there?
The William Gates Agent [WGA] is going to suck.
Another fantastic coinage from twitter, that amuses noone, converts noone, attracts noone and is about as incisive, cutting or insulting as calling Bill Gates "Fwuffy Bunnykins". Bill Gates left Microsoft. Did you not get the memo?
Another area where even Free Software apps would benefit from standardization is in GUI libraries -- wouldn't it be nice if your GTK apps could be themed using the same utility as your QT apps?
This exists, but it is crap and looks weird.
A third area -- one where Free Software is actually good -- is in libraries in general. Isn't it nice how most apps use the same libraries (like, say, OpenGL)? You wouldn't prefer each app to install its own libs, now would you?
"Whoops, your version of QT has libqt3.so.1! Sorry, dude, we need libqt3.so.2. Nice try though."
If an app statically linked what it needs (like on the Mac) that would be good.
I see no reason why these cellphone makers can't just make environments using the Free Software standards we already have.
Here's one reason: there aren't any. GTK and QT are standards. X11 is a standard but no good on mobiles. See my point?
Your computer would tank in the marketplace. Nobody (i.e no normal person) would be willing to compile software to use it. It would look (like it rightfully should) like you were putting your ideology and politics above ease of use and sensible operation.
I'm sure RMS would wet himself at the chance to sell that machine though:)
And that theme song will be along the lines of "He's not quite Frank Abagnale/He does however get cheapass popcorn and Coke/Too bad he's too cheap to afford dates, parties and friends/And that prostitutes don't do 25 cent refills/The tightarse fucking cunt".
What it lacks in rhyme and rhythm it makes up for in the lyrics.
True that. Where I work we have those machines that print the cheques. Difference is it isn't an option, you HAVE to have a printed cheque done. (In a similar vein, you have to use a PIN pad now, signatures are only allowed if you have some form of disability that stops you from working the pad) It doesn't really minimise the wait though, because half the time the printer gets pissy about which way the cheque is inserted and it won't print.
Also, now I think about it, this minimises fraud (if someone wrote the wrong sum on a cheque, we wouldn't notice til we notice the missing order of magnitude).
Now, if you were talking about copyright infringement, sorry. Personally, I refuse to use the word "piracy" when I'm talking about that, because I believe that words should mean what they mean. I'm not Humpty Dumpty.
This has not and will not ever amount to a decent defense. Piracy is a recognised legal term. Maybe somewhat loaded, but a term nonetheless.
The no such thing as society thing was taken out of context, but point taken.:)
Public transport is one of those things that should be run publicly. It doesn't work any other way. Basic public needs that don't make profit should be nationalised for the greater good. I know that's DANGEROUS SOCIALIST THINKING around here, but look at what happened to British Rail and I don't think you could see it any other way.
You do realise this is akin to saying "Fuck you, we're writing everything in Urdu, and you English speakers can put up and shut up", don't you? And that it makes much less sense?
To reiterate: For businesses, who want to reach everyone and need to to survive, shock switching away from MS using customers (e.g "Code to standards, fuck IE" "use ODF, fuck Office") does not work.
No really. Thanks to him this country has become a car-obsessed shithole with no decent public transport. Thanks to him most possible paths for railway lines within towns have been built on. Thanks to him reliable, convenient and efficient rail transport has become a thing of the past. Before Beeching most towns of any significance had a railway station, and the others you could bike, walk or get a bus to from another station. Now there are roads. Whoop de fucking do.
Of course Thatcher must get some of the blame for her short-sighted, if not actually completely idiotic, privatisation shite which she forced on everyone (rail cannot be run as a private entity. Railways, with very few (probably one or two) exceptions, do not make profit, and any attempt to do so will lead to cutting corners). But Beeching takes the cake. I have no doubt that if the Beeching Axe hadn't fallen this country would be a better place to live.
Yeah, we have rail, but it only goes to major towns and cities, if that. That said, I think it's a wonder that I can travel 500 miles for 19 pounds (about 35 dollars) and do so in relative comfort. The US doesn't know what it's missing.
Oh, so it's alright if Google does it, but not if Microsoft does it? It's a pain in the hole either way.
Google are inconveniencing everyone through this. Acrobat Reader is already a 20MB download for reasons I can't imagine. Why bloat Shockwave in the same way?
Er...who is "they" exactly? Pray tell. I have a feeling you're going to try and indict the RIAA/MPAA in this, and I have an even bigger feeling you're going to make an ass of yourself doing so.
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Even after that, it's about 10 seconds on both Windows and Linux to get to a desktop. Fair comparison I think.
WGA does not check up on you! Microsoft would have no reason to do such things, nobody can ever give a conclusive reason as to why they would spy on users. WGA is a serial number check, nothing else.
Wow. Just, wow.
They still haven't denied that WGA will disable windows - they just claim it won't turn your computer off.
I'd say that's talking down to people (for some people, at least, turn off PC might equal disable Windows).
And the problem is that most people don't like being watched.
There's nothing about being watched. It's checking a random string of characters against a list of other strings to see if it's a banned one. That is all. If Microsoft were monitoring peoples' webcams you'd have a right to be concerned, but as it is...nah.
There would have been no kill switch story if M$ had just been honest to begin with. They are not honest, so all you are left with is the facts: WGA installs itself, if you don't have it they won't give you "updates", when installed it phones home every day.
You have the facts, they came from Microsoft. Please explain how that isn't honesty.
Speculation based on those facts and previous behavior is natural. For years, minor changes to your hardware would stop your M$ computer from working ether through technical failure or forced reregistration. Given their willingness to ship buggy product and previous mechanisms that "turn your computer off", a reasonable person would guess WGA would be doing the same thing. Indeed, what's it going to do if it does find a "non genuine copy"?
It's not registration, or reregistration. See below.
Most likely withhold security updates. And Microsoft has no responsibility to support people with pirated versions of their OS, nor to allow people to use pirated versions of their OS. They made their policy nice and clear; you either activate and prove your copy of Windows is legal or it won't let you use it. This is common knowledge, and most people (most LEGAL Windows users) don't care.
M$'s intentionally bad non free driver situation can be compared to live CDs. Knoppix, auto configures in less time than it takes XP to boot and still has room for a complete office suite and web server. Changing hardware in a M$ computer is tricky at best. Even if you are successful, you will often be forced to re register.
Knoppix does NOT auto-configure in the time it takes XP to boot. That is a FLAT OUT LIE. Jesus, twitter, you've reached new depths. XP takes about 20 seconds to boot, Knoppix can take minutes on the same PC. And while it may have an office suite and a web server etc, it's still incredibly slow by virtue of running from a CD.
M$'s practice of forced reregistration on minor hardware changes has no parallel in any industry.
They don't force you to "register", they force you to "activate". Register implies they keep details on file. As it is, the activation does not require any personal details, and as such it is not required to give your name or any details about you to activate. If you're concerned that they'll send the name you supplied during install, don't supply a name during install. Call yourself Jimbob Glory or Piss Corp. if you must.
And while we're on the topic, it's not "minor hardware changes", but please read this. That actually IS reregistration. They DO keep your details on file. See the difference there?
The William Gates Agent [WGA] is going to suck.
Another fantastic coinage from twitter, that amuses noone, converts noone, attracts noone and is about as incisive, cutting or insulting as calling Bill Gates "Fwuffy Bunnykins". Bill Gates left Microsoft. Did you not get the memo?
...then the software maker releases a new binary. Duh.
In no sense of the word can it be said that anyone here is being deprived of anything. A digital copy leaves the original completely intact.
However, you are still being a cheap, freeloading asshole.
Another area where even Free Software apps would benefit from standardization is in GUI libraries -- wouldn't it be nice if your GTK apps could be themed using the same utility as your QT apps?
This exists, but it is crap and looks weird.
A third area -- one where Free Software is actually good -- is in libraries in general. Isn't it nice how most apps use the same libraries (like, say, OpenGL)? You wouldn't prefer each app to install its own libs, now would you?
"Whoops, your version of QT has libqt3.so.1! Sorry, dude, we need libqt3.so.2. Nice try though."
If an app statically linked what it needs (like on the Mac) that would be good.
I see no reason why these cellphone makers can't just make environments using the Free Software standards we already have.
Here's one reason: there aren't any. GTK and QT are standards. X11 is a standard but no good on mobiles. See my point?
Your computer would tank in the marketplace. Nobody (i.e no normal person) would be willing to compile software to use it. It would look (like it rightfully should) like you were putting your ideology and politics above ease of use and sensible operation.
:)
I'm sure RMS would wet himself at the chance to sell that machine though
But oh no, not her. She took her job SERIOUSLY.
Probably because she was scared of losing it.
In case you couldn't tell in my cousin post, I agree with you wholeheartedly. He probably has 20GB of downloaded MP3s as a "protest" as well...
And that theme song will be along the lines of "He's not quite Frank Abagnale/He does however get cheapass popcorn and Coke/Too bad he's too cheap to afford dates, parties and friends/And that prostitutes don't do 25 cent refills/The tightarse fucking cunt".
What it lacks in rhyme and rhythm it makes up for in the lyrics.
True that. Where I work we have those machines that print the cheques. Difference is it isn't an option, you HAVE to have a printed cheque done. (In a similar vein, you have to use a PIN pad now, signatures are only allowed if you have some form of disability that stops you from working the pad) It doesn't really minimise the wait though, because half the time the printer gets pissy about which way the cheque is inserted and it won't print.
Also, now I think about it, this minimises fraud (if someone wrote the wrong sum on a cheque, we wouldn't notice til we notice the missing order of magnitude).
I'm sure it's terrifying...if you're a construction worker.
Or a brick.
Now, if you were talking about copyright infringement, sorry. Personally, I refuse to use the word "piracy" when I'm talking about that, because I believe that words should mean what they mean. I'm not Humpty Dumpty.
This has not and will not ever amount to a decent defense. Piracy is a recognised legal term. Maybe somewhat loaded, but a term nonetheless.
The no such thing as society thing was taken out of context, but point taken. :)
Public transport is one of those things that should be run publicly. It doesn't work any other way. Basic public needs that don't make profit should be nationalised for the greater good. I know that's DANGEROUS SOCIALIST THINKING around here, but look at what happened to British Rail and I don't think you could see it any other way.
You do realise this is akin to saying "Fuck you, we're writing everything in Urdu, and you English speakers can put up and shut up", don't you? And that it makes much less sense?
To reiterate: For businesses, who want to reach everyone and need to to survive, shock switching away from MS using customers (e.g "Code to standards, fuck IE" "use ODF, fuck Office") does not work.
I hope Beeching rots in hell.
No really. Thanks to him this country has become a car-obsessed shithole with no decent public transport. Thanks to him most possible paths for railway lines within towns have been built on. Thanks to him reliable, convenient and efficient rail transport has become a thing of the past. Before Beeching most towns of any significance had a railway station, and the others you could bike, walk or get a bus to from another station. Now there are roads. Whoop de fucking do.
Of course Thatcher must get some of the blame for her short-sighted, if not actually completely idiotic, privatisation shite which she forced on everyone (rail cannot be run as a private entity. Railways, with very few (probably one or two) exceptions, do not make profit, and any attempt to do so will lead to cutting corners). But Beeching takes the cake. I have no doubt that if the Beeching Axe hadn't fallen this country would be a better place to live.
Yeah, we have rail, but it only goes to major towns and cities, if that. That said, I think it's a wonder that I can travel 500 miles for 19 pounds (about 35 dollars) and do so in relative comfort. The US doesn't know what it's missing.
Um, you mean America's Favourite Douchebag Jack Thompson, right?
Regardless of any comments about the B&MG foundation or Buffet's motives... ...Jesus Christ, nice going Warren.
Oh, so it's alright if Google does it, but not if Microsoft does it? It's a pain in the hole either way.
Google are inconveniencing everyone through this. Acrobat Reader is already a 20MB download for reasons I can't imagine. Why bloat Shockwave in the same way?
I'd like to nominate Tom as the person with the biggest real penis/internet penis discrepancy in the world. You know he deserves it.
Er...who is "they" exactly? Pray tell. I have a feeling you're going to try and indict the RIAA/MPAA in this, and I have an even bigger feeling you're going to make an ass of yourself doing so.
Piracy is an accepted legal term for copyright infringement, and has been for many years. Stuff about boats misses the point.
The difference is that the name MoveOn.org doesn't refer to the act of copyright infringement, which as far as I know is still a crime.