Wat update - yes/no?

dmdilks said:

Microsoft should have it just like other software companies that if I buy a copy for $200 to $300 I should be able to put on three computers.

What other software companies are you speaking of in particular?? Any software company that I have worked for any software that I purchase is 1 license per 1 computer.

dmdilks said:

You know the funny part of all of this is how Billy Boy & Microsoft started out. How I understand it he stole everything thing he started out with. But here is the same guy that did that and is saying to today don't steal from me or I'll get you put in jail.

The way I know it is that MS purchased SCP-DOS in 1981 from Seattle Computer Products and modified the software which was later turned into MS-DOS. Then MS made a deal with IBM to distribute MS-DOS on their computers. 2 years later, in 1983, MS released a more graphical system called Windows. This is where they say that the concepts were stolen from Apple as well as from Xerox.

Personally, I'm not sure how we could ever have 1 and only 1 company who develops a Graphical based operating system and everybody else has to NOT make one since somebody else already thought of it. Times change and technology evolves and more and more becomes possible. At the end of the day, it's the company that best utililzes the technology to produce an end product that people want for a fair price who is successful.

20 years ago we didn't have touch screen interfaces. But with technology advancements, it's now possible. Thus, I expect many vendors including Microsoft, Apple, Linux, IBM, HP, Compaq and others to now take advantage of it. It doesn't mean they all stole their ideas from others and should all be shunned.

It seems that it always comes down to he did it so why can't I. Then when they are proven wrong they attempt to come up with another reason. People who steal always have an excuse for doing so; even if it makes them look foolish.

Not saying the original OP is a thief, however, his language has the ability to bring a reader to that decision.

Oh, but they do. Admittedly, the scheme is aimed primarily at businesses and organisations, but, nonetheless, they do. See: Microsoft Volume Licensing - Microsoft Enterprise Agreement and Enterprise Subscription Agreement

dmdilks said:

Norton, McAfee, Spysweeper, Ca, Kaspersky. Should I go on. If these companies can do it why can't Microsoft do it.

McAfee is $39 for 1 PC for 1 year.
Virus Protection, Viruses, Anti virus Software | Antivirus Plus 2010 | McAfee

Norton is 1 PC for 1 year for $39
Unsupported Browser

Spysweeper is 1 computer for 1 year for $29.95
Spy Sweeper Antispyware Software | Award-Winning Antispyware & Removal Software | Webroot

CA is up to 3 computers for $49 for 1 year.
http://shop.ca.com/virus/antivirus_plus.aspx

Kapersky is 3 computers for $59
Anti-Virus Software with Anti-Spyware Protection - Kaspersky Lab United States


So you have to pay attention to the licensing...all products are different. But 1 license per 1 PC is certainly NOT out of the ordinary.

Microsoft offered the Family Pack for awhile which was 3 licenses for $150. In addition, they offered the student discounts which was $30 per license. And finally they offer Technet...which provides up to 10 license keys for each OS product, including servers as well as MS office for $349 for 1 year. So, Microsoft does have different licensing programs as well

dmdilks said:

Yes this true but not everybody can get the technet subscription . I might be wrong but the technet is for the ultimate resource for IT professionals.

Yes, this is what the Technet site says. However, anybody can pretty much go there, give them a credit card and they will sell this to you. They even have a promo code listed right on the website which brings the price down to $251.

dmdilks said:

This basically says NO USE except for TESTING, as Technet was designed for, and to be used for Testing.

Yes, this is the purpose of the subscription. However, if you call them and ask them about using Technet on home computers...they will tell you that they have no way of knowing if you are are or are not testing....and they feel that you are constantly testing your computer when you download and install and use software...As long as you aren't using the software to support a business they really don't seem to care. Yes, I called them on this and I even started a thread about it. TechNet "is" ok for use on home computers. To me, it's far more appropriate to perhaps dance around in this gray area of technet then to use a hacked or pirated copy of the software.


At the end of the day, I do agree that when you have multiple computers in your home, using Microsoft Windows can get expensive. I think it's a shame that the majority of those here have to resort to having a technet subscription in order to run the software that they wish to run on their own home computers for a reasonable sum of money. However, at the end of the day...I never feel that pirating the software is acceptable. To me, if you want to use Windows..you should have to abide by the rules and regulations associated with it. If you don't agree with those principles, there are free alternatives like Linux which alleviate those problems quite nicely.

You are thinking you can install it on multiple machines because that the company doesn't check to make sure it is only on one machine. You are using the software illegally if you install it on all your comps. Just because you can, doesn't mean the company was "allowing" you to do that.

MS does a good job of making sure that people aren't installing one OS on multiple machines. And MS was offering multiple comp deals and student rates at $30 and if you are in a comp major class, you can get it for free if you are in an accredited college. (a few of my friends got it free at school)

Edit: I was posting this in response to dmdilks. I realize that it was posted after pparks1's post so just adding this note to clarify.