On Mar 29, 8:38 pm, Roy Schestowitz <newsgro...@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
wrote:
> Microsoft Happy with the Evolution of Windows Vista Piracy
> ,----[ Quote ]
> | But the truth is that Microsoft is happy with the way Windows Vista
> | piracy is evolving. Is there a catch to this?
Microsoft loves to scream "piracy" even when the piracy is actually
based on software that was originally legally obtained. For example,
users of beta versions distributed to MSDN subscribersr are legally
"pirates" shortly after the operating system is available to the
general
public. MSDN subscribers, who pay about $1500/year for their
subscription,
which includes lots of demonstration software. I've known more than a
few
MSDN subscribers who didn't read the license agreements very well.
Microsoft also has automated upgrade clauses in some of the corporate
support VML agreements. Even if a license isn't installed, the
license takes
effect the minute the new version is available to the corporate
customers. Furthermore,
the is a short grace period that is about to expire, after which VMLs
could expire
unless the corporation agrees to new and more expensive agreements.
Rather than just bust in with a bunch of lawyers and demand immediate
payment,
Microsoft tracks all of the "Piracy" and then tries to claim that all
of the "White Box"
machines, and machines sold with previous versions of Windows, are
actually just
being upgraded by pirates as after-market.
There are new restrictions on how Vista can be used. If you are using
it to play music
and connect to a corporate network or VPN, then you must have Vista
Ultimate. If you
don't you are a "pirate".
The problem for Microsoft this year, is that customers don't like
Vista. They are
ordering machines with XP instead. The corporate lawyers don't like
the Vista license.
Customers who want to run Windows as a VM know they can't do it with
the version that
comes on retail versions. If they have to order on the web, then they
order with XP, so they
can get a version of Windows that is "Linux Friendly". OR at least
VMWare friendly.
> | No. The fact of the
> | matter is that Windows Vista has delivered a heavy blow to
> | software counterfeiters. The reason for this is the new Windows
> | Genuine Advantage security mechanism integrated into the
> | operating system.
> | You may not notice this on the surface. On the surface, the
> | Internet is crawling with Windows Vista cracks, hacks and
> | workarounds.
> | On the surface, every Windows Vista edition has
> | been cracked and is available for download via peer-to-peer
> | networks. But this is not the true extent of Windows Vista piracy.
> `----
>
> http://news.softpedia.com/news/Microsoft-Happy-with-the-Evolution-of-...
>
> Vista sales unimpressive, says expert
>
> ,----[ Quote ]
> | Despite Vista's apparent out-selling of XP, February statistics
> | show shipments of Vista to U.S. retailers trailed XP's first-month
> | shipments by about 56 per cent, according to the NPD Group, which
> | tracks retail software sales.
> |
> | [...]
> |
> | Swenson also blames Microsoft's advertising strategy, which had
> | little TV penetration, for the drop in sales.
> `----
>
> http://www.cbc.ca/technology/story/2007/03/27/tech-vistasales.html
>
> Related:
>
> Survey: Vista Used Less than 1 percent of PCs
>
> ,----[ Quot
> | Windows Vista may yet prove to be an unstoppable juggernaut,
> | but statistics released Thursday by a market research firm
> | show that the new operating system hasn't even licked its
> | nine-year old ancestor.
> `----
>
> http://www.pcworld.com/article/id,129525/article.html
>
> Windows Vista: Microsoft's Version of the New Coke
>
> ,----[ Quote ]
> | The irony here is that many corporations are already on this plan.
> | Since corporate licensees usually pay per desktop regardless of
> | Windows version AND manage their own OS images, they can install
> | Windows XP to their hearts content, even in the age of Vista.
> | The only thing that forces them to get off Windows XP is when
> | Microsoft discontinues mainstream support, currently estimated
> | to be on or about January 2009. And even then, businesses can
> | pay for support through about 2014.
> `----
>
> http://biz.yahoo.com/seekingalpha/070302/28519_id.html?.v=1
|
|
