Why the big stink about activation?

[HAL9000]

Well... it finally hit me. I got the request to re-activate Windows XP after changing my processor twice this week. Now why all the fuss... I didn't even phone. I was given the option to do it on the internet and in about 5 seconds, bang, it was re-activated.

[oosik]

Originally posted by HAL9000 Well... it finally hit me. I got the request to re-activate Windows XP after changing my processor twice this week. Now why all the fuss... I didn't even phone. I was given the option to do it on the internet and in about 5 seconds, bang, it was re-activated.

I don't think it's "a fuss" as much as it's M$ keeping tabs on things, or so it seems. I think it's more of the whole Big Brother conspiracy Theory.

[doctorgonzo]

Yeah, I think it is 100% psychological. People raised hell about M$ and their activation plan because it was inconvenient, because Bill Gates is this monolithic entity in people's minds, and because it just sounded disturbing. At the same time, people love evil grocery discount cards because they "save money." I bet if M$ offered a $5 coupon every time people had to activate Windows, people would think it was great.

[HAL9000]

LOL... ya... they probably would now. Gawd... everyone is so worried about being tracked, yet think nothing of swiping a bank card or credit card through a machine.

[catch23]

You paid for an operating system...isn't that enough?

That's my problem with it.

[lil Jimmie]

Well I have had no problems with the activation or reactivation and I have had to do both via internet and I have had to make the call to MS which was no big deal. Yes, I paid for the operating system, but I feel that without the product activation the cost to buy the OS would be so expensive that no one could afford it. Just like shoplifting has an affect on the price of merchandise, someone will have to pick up the tab for piracy.

[catch23]

Originally posted by lil Jimmie Just like shoplifting has an affect on the price of merchandise, someone will have to pick up the tab for piracy.

They'll charge you hundreds of dollars if there wasn't a single pirated copy in the world...think about it.

[lil Jimmie]

Hal, I guess it’s just human nature to have something to cry about.

[HAL9000]

Originally posted by catch23 You paid for an operating system...isn't that enough? That's my problem with it.

Well... then complain about a bank too. You pay a monthly service fee, and for what... they give you a minimal intrest in return that usually doesn't cover the service fee and you can bet your bank card and credit card usage is monitored every time the card is swiped too.

[Nuclear Krusader]

Originally posted by lil Jimmie Hal, I guess it’s just human nature to have something to cry about.

I completely agree.

[mike breck]

Yes, the invasion of our privacy and a reduction of our civil liberties is small price to pay to reduce piracy.

Unfortunately, the measures taken with XP was only a small step - and not enough to make a real impact.

I therefore look forward to increasing restrictions in the future.

I think a backdoor into our PCs monitoring our systems, data and surfing habits might give MS a slight, additional edge against the blatant abuse of their instructions.

The licensing agreement is rather old-fashioned anyway. Much better to charge us every time we use their (sorry our) PC.

After all, MS isn't about OS's any more. It's an all-embracing Web experience that is going to influence our PC habits and change our lives.

The days of the Web being a collection of individuals is coming to an end. The "collective" rather than the "collection" is the way of the future.

Ah...if only Stalin were alive today...he would be pleased.

[Computer Hobbyist]

The reason for reactiviation is to insure that I don't "steal" from Microsoft by putting the copy of Windows XP I purchased on a second machine. In short, Microsoft assumes I am a crook. That is what I don't like.

If you were to go to my house right now you would find that I have three machines with different operating systems on each. I bought all three. Why should I tell Microsoft when my harddrive goes down, or when I add a new burner? What is a computer anyway? I am a hobby builder. Like a lot of you one of my machines has been so altered by change after change that the only things that remain unchanged from when I installed the OS are the floppy and the hard drives. Should I have to buy a new OS because I have changed cases? motherboards? CPUs? memory? video cards? power supplies? When does my machine morph into a new computer? What if the hard drive goes down now and I have to reinstall from the disk? All new components, evolved over time.

Most folks view a computer as a commodity. You replace the whole thing, not a part. The HD dies, you buy a new Dell, throw the old one away. Want better video, buy a new machine. Those people don't worry about activation. But folks who tinker have to participate.

I am glad to hear that Microsoft has made it easier than they originally indicated. Maybe someday I will buy a copy of XP. I hear it is pretty good.

CH

[catch23]

And making us contact them to legally use a product we BOUGHT isn't enough..they're also fighting to have nearly every computing right we have removed so they can save a few bucks. (and raise prices more)

[Iman74]

Originally posted by catch23 You paid for an operating system...isn't that enough? That's my problem with it.

Well no, because prior to XP there many people pirating the software. Thanks to activation it's difficult (but not impossible) to pirate his OS.

[Iman74]

Originally posted by catch23 They'll charge you hundreds of dollars if there wasn't a single pirated copy in the world...think about it.

They do anyway, what's your point?

[Iman74]

Originally posted by mike breck Yes, the invasion of our privacy and a reduction of our civil liberties is small price to pay to reduce piracy. Unfortunately, the measures taken with XP was only a small step - and not enough to make a real impact. I therefore look forward to increasing restrictions in the future. I think a backdoor into our PCs monitoring our systems, data and surfing habits might give MS a slight, additional edge against the blatant abuse of their instructions. The licensing agreement is rather old-fashioned anyway. Much better to charge us every time we use their (sorry our) PC. After all, MS isn't about OS's any more. It's an all-embracing Web experience that is going to influence our PC habits and change our lives. The days of the Web being a collection of individuals is coming to an end. The "collective" rather than the "collection" is the way of the future. Ah...if only Stalin were alive today...he would be pleased.

That's deep!!!

[catch23]

They excuse their high prices on the theft of their software...they lie. Bad Microsoft...rot in hell Bill Gates...

[Iman74]

Originally posted by catch23 They excuse their high prices on the theft of their software...they lie. Bad Microsoft...rot in hell Bill Gates...

It's a lie based on what?

[Mac Medic]

It basically boils down to MS and what they choose to do. I attended the MS Windows XP OEM System builder roadshow where i got my 1st copy of XP before RTM. At the show they made a big deal of how easy activation and re-activation is because the MS employees have been instructed to make it easy. My question to them was how long before the employees are instructed NOT to make it easy and require your 1st born before re-activating. Obviously they couldnt answer this question and instead said they reserve the right to change activation at any time. Not the answer I was looking for, but certainly the answer I expected. Getting MS approval to Re-Activate WILL get tougher as more and more people accept the measures already in place.

[doubledragon5]

I have two OEM version on came with the Dell system the other came as an upgrade to My original OS. Thing is I paid $20 for the upgrade looks just like the retail version just with a OEM license.

When I returned my original PC the new one came with XP installed so the one I purchased was installed on my kids new build and when I went to activate it by phone MS told me I had to send it back. I told them I paid for it and I will install it anyway. MS clamed up and activated it.

[arubahounds]

The logic that software pirates inflate the cost of Windows is laughable. The cost is set by what MS believes the market will bare (bear?). They'd charge $500 if they could get away with it, or $50 if that's all anyone will pay. If anything, MS has to keep the price down to make pirated copies less desirable.

MS could make activation more onerous, but that would just push people to Linux or Apple. Long live competition.

HT

[Donald]

NO Problem------ I'll just send off $50.00 and get an XP Pro Best Full Version that needs no activation or key ever.! ( while I'm at it, throw in $20.00 and get Windows 2000 full Version)------------Donald

[trulad]

Instead if whining about Bill Gates making money on software why don't you guys just choose not to use it? Is it because it is the best available? A Cadillac has 4 wheels and an engine just like a Yugo but costs many times more because of quality.Most problems with XP are caused by downloaded free programs. By the way, some people dis-like Bill Gates simply because of his wealth. Exactly why some nations hate America,because of our wealth. Also remember, the Bill & Milinda Gates foundation has poured $5Billion in grants for hospitals in third world countrys and providing computers for under-privilaged schools. Personally, I don't give a damm how much money he has, he earned it by following the American Dream, starting with nothing and building an empire. He has every right in the world to protect his company from theft.
Wow! I didn't mean to editorialize but I needed to put in my two cents.
Trudy

[Nuclear Krusader]

It's not the man and his achievements what I dislike, it's the attitude of the company.

M$ knows that half the world uses Office and that's why they keep robbing us by charging 380 bucks for the OEM version of the Pro edition. I'm not against paying, but perhaps 150 or even 200 bucks would be enough. Nearly 400 is an outrage.

[DilLy]

i still don't see what's wrong with activation of XP.
It's just a (somewhat crackable) way to confirm you bought the product.

I think people who have a problem with it either have pirated copies, or are just hardcore activists, i.e they use it as another tool for thier outspoken unconformity.

These types should use Linux. Although I see that OS in the same postiion once it gets more popular.
There are underground types and overground types. Neither one is better than the other. (However thieves don't deserve what they have)

[HAL9000]

Keep in mind people, you complain about paying xxx number of dollars and that's it. Where do you think the money for the knowledge base comes from. Do the updates and support get provided for free? No, there are people working there that need a paycheque too. So you don't want to pay a high price once and get support, and you don't want to pay a subscription fee. So what do you want to pay, AND still have the support?

[DilLy]

yeah, support is super thorough from MS.

That is probably why so many people think Windows is more buggy than other OS's, becasue Microsoft takes the time to uncover these bugs and is not afraid to post them on the WWW. and they almost always find these bugs before anyone else who would want to take advantage of it. Thus the advantage of a wealthy company to afford such research.
Plus it is the most popular OS out there, so it is bound to have a bad reputation along side the good reputation.

You can't have the good without the bad. Every OS has Pro's and Cons. If something was perfect, I would truly suspect it. Kind of like that Simpsons episode where it was Christmas and everyone was trampling over each other to get that new talking doll that was so friendly and perfect (like Barney) but it ended up just being a tool to spy on kids and destroy other toys.

Oh wait, that sounds like the usual complaint about M$.
Anyway, I prefer XP over everyother OS and a simple little mouseclick to activate it (which takes 10 seconds) isn't going to worry me. They get thier activation key and then they leave me alone. That's fair. (plus I get the most enjoyable operating system I have ever laid hands on)

[not important]

It always starts with just a "simple" thing! Just like taxes. It never ceases to amaze me how narrow minded people can be.
Just keep those blinders on tight and it will be all right.

[Computer Hobbyist]

LInux works just fine. If I could get a couple of applications my wife uses, that computer I talked about would go Linux. I am typing this on a Linux machine and frankly, it is the best OS I have ever owned. Much better that Win98 or WinME. Even better than the old version of Win NT I have on the network at the office.

I don't worship Linux. If I find a better OS without the intrusions, I am gone.

More importantly, I don't hesitate to pay for software. Coders need to make a living, too. I just think the applications and not the OS should be the focus of all of our computing attention.

CH

[lil Jimmie]

It is just my opinion, but I see activating software to become more common. I have a friend who uses AutoCAD and his new software has to be activated with a phone call, it’s the same with Trend micro’s PCcillin, or even TGT Soft StyleXP although they differ in the way they do it, yet it still requires more than a serial number to use the software.