Wat update - yes/no?

[pparks1]

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.

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.

 

[Lee]

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.

 

[dmdilks]

pparks1

"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".

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

 

[seekermeister]

I don't have a problem with the single computer license, but it seems to bring to mind some old adages like "you can't con a con", or more closely "you can't steal from a thief". Why? While you might be able to steal from a petty thief, the bigger and smarter the thief, the better his security, larger his guard force and bigger his Rotties. I could accept that, so long as he kept his dogs on his own property, but when that thief want to put them in my house, supposedly to protect his, I believe the real purpose is just to know when I'm not at home or asleep.

 

[Dwarf]

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

 

[pparks1]

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]

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.

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

 

[HerrKaLeun]

Compared to any other software Windows is cheap. At work I have:
- Trane Trace: $ 2,000 to purchase, $ 500 mandatory annual subscription
- Autocad: $ 4,000 to purchase and $ 700 annual subscription (and they change file format every 3 years, so to be able to exchange documents you need to upgrade sooner or later, and if you miss one year subscription you pay 50% of the new price, if you miss 2 years, it is full price again). Soon upgrading to Revit, another $ 1,000

People might hate MS, but compared to any other software company they are angels.

Windows 7 OEM: $ 150 depending on version, 10 years of free upagrades and patches

 

[pparks1]

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.

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. http://www.sevenforums.com/general-discussion/20444-technet-ok-use-home-computers.html. 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.

 

[Thorsen]

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.

 

[dmdilks]

pparks1

So what you saying is that I can buy technet & my girlfriend can buy technet. So now we could have up to 100 copies XP, Vista & Win7 for about $500. But the only problem with that is you have to renew your subscription every year. In the long run it would be cheaper to just 5 oem copies.

 

[pparks1]

So what you saying is that I can buy technet & my girlfriend can buy technet. So now we could have up to 100 copies XP, Vista & Win7 for about $500. But the only problem with that is you have to renew your subscription every year. In the long run it would be cheaper to just 5 oem copies.

Yes, that is what I am saying. Plus you can play with server based OS's as well like Server 2003 and Server 2008 if you are interested. And don't forget Microsoft Office...this also comes with Technet.

As far as renewing your subscription....once you have retrieved your keys and downloaded your software...you have them. And you can continue to use them after your subscription ends. You just would not be able to download any new software or obtain any new keys without a valid subscription.

Let's say that you and your girlfriend each bought all of the parts to make a new machine. So, we have 2 machines with no Operating System

1 license for Windows 7 Home Premium is $104.99. So, 2 of these is $210
1 license for Office 2007 Standard is $319.95. (can be installed on 2 computers)

So, if you each wanted to use a copy of Windows 7 and a copy of Office 2007 Standard 2007 you would spend $530. 2 years of Technet costs less than that with the current promo code....and you get access to tons of other stuff.


I'm not saying Technet is the best way to buy for everybody. But for those who have a need to run multiple computers and want to get their software from a very reliable source with adequate #'s of license keys...this program is hard to beat and easily pays for itself.

 

[Jacee]

WAC will run every 90 days.

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there
My problem with this sort of stuff is that say you are running SECURED networks that have NO EXTERNAL CONNECTION to the internet or to even other parts of a LAN then you don't want your system to suddenly fail because it needs to "re-activate".

On a Secured network that doesn't have EXTERNAL connections - not even external email -- then regular updates aren't so necessary since the applications are VERY stable and rarely change, and you can totally ignore the usual Virus, Trojans etc etc type of threats.

On these type of systems when you DO need to upgrade them you usually re-install the ENTIRE OS on another platform and then migrate it to the secured server.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[dmdilks]

I was just told by somebody they already have a program to remove the WAT. When are the soft companies going realize that no matter what they do they have somebody one step ahead of them.

 

[seekermeister]

If that is the case, I may install SP1 when released, but I'm still not going to install the update now.

 

[Wishmaster]

I was just told by somebody they already have a program to remove the WAT. When are the soft companies going realize that no matter what they do they have somebody one step ahead of them.

I seen this, but thought they were still having some issues with it?

Non-the-less, eventually the pirates will figure a way around it. They always do.

IMHO, its not so much the fact they can ... as it is:

What else is being added/done to your machine when you download & run thier activation cracks?

You have no clue what all these things are actually doing. Not only can they illegaly activate a copy of Windows for someone, but add anything else they choose to in the process.

All the more reason to just get a legal version.

 

[yowanvista]

I was just told by somebody they already have a program to remove the WAT. When are the soft companies going realize that no matter what they do they have somebody one step ahead of them.

I seen this, but thought they were still having some issues with it?

Non-the-less, eventually the pirates will figure a way around it. They always do.

IMHO, its not so much the fact they can ... as it is:

What else is being added/done to your machine when you download & run thier activation cracks?

You have no clue what all these things are actually doing. Not only can they illegaly activate a copy of Windows for someone, but add anything else they choose to in the process.

All the more reason to just get a legal version.

Pirates have already updated their cracks which can disable the WAT service
MS has to update their WAT

 

[dmdilks]

The only problem with all of this is most of it is all over the world. Not here in the USA. I just saying about 3/4 of the world doesn't care about all of this. Because if they did they would be going after them and they are not.

 

[RST101]

This update won't be seeing the inside of my case.

I have already activated once and now they want to install an update that rings home every 90 days(so they say), thanks bill but I aint bending over any more for you so you can shove it up my ***.

If they don't trust people why take their money?