The motivating assumption underlying those segments of Microsoft?s EULA and their latest activation policies are an effort to avert software piracy. It is correct that contractual agreements that may vary over time are not enforceable by law. It is also true that Microsoft?s increased pricing plan is going to concern each individual with plans to operate Vista.

It ought to alarm users to know if they find performance issues with a computer system they can not lawfully report them. So the EULA is saying benchmarks ought to be performed on systems on which the testers have not agreed to the EULA. :-) May I point out that if Microsoft wishes to sell a product in the U.S they are subject to the same consumer reporting as every corporation. The reality of life is many people just want the computer to work, be easy to use, and do what they need it to do. So if a Linux installation can provide this for them great. I read that someone is not aware OpenOffice.org software can open documents created in Microsoft Office.

Someone said a technical web site is not a place discussion of law. I for one feel it should be pointed out anywhere the law can affect us. I have a feeling that eventually, Microsoft EULA?s will traverse everyone?s threshold of tolerance as they already have mine. I am pleased someone reported it. Microsoft operates like a monopoly dictating policy across the nation due to corporate addiction to their operating system. I will not stand for it. I am an American and I favor freedom of choice to the greatest extent possible. I see the development of Linux as almost an act of free speech and altruism. I ask you if technology is so completely separate from politics why Microsoft makes donations to selected political campaigns.

I believe I read someone mentioning that many users never reinstall? I believe that if knowledge was the key they would be locked out. I have been in this industry for over a decade and I cannot tell you how many times recovery disks are ran. Are all recovery disks created in an activated state? Let me tell you a quick story. I once owned a piece of software that used the license transfer mechanism. I bought the software legitimately and I subsequently ended up purchasing it again because I forgot to transfer the license before I reinstalled Windows. I will spare you the details and just state I will NEVER, EVER own another one.

I recommend that everyone planning to upgrade give the bugs time to work themselves out as many sound companies do already. I would also advise creation and use drive imaging software if you are locked into the Vista world. Many of you are familiar with programs like Ghost, Drive Image, and other similar software.

I am one of three key decision makers when it comes to all software and hardware for my company and I will never advise my company to make a decision to upgrade to Vista. If my company does not heed my advice then I will feel no guilt when they continue to fall victim to Microsoft?s policies.

Microsoft is polishing the brass on the titanic. I am bailing out.

[ reply ]

Link to this comment: http://www.securityfocus.com/comments/columns/420/34044#34044