Re:

[Neon]

John,

Here's a few links that should provide hours of head-shaking reading

From ExtremeTech, Windows Product Activation (WPA) for Windows XP Understand The Details of Microsoft's New Product Activation Technology, a fairly complete article, and it has *lots* of follow-up discussion



Windows Product Activation: an early look

Old review (2/2001) but good reading



EDIT: Ah, apparently, the Poasters censors mangled this link. In the url, replace the **** with a four letter word that rhymes with bank, but starts with the letter w. Sheesh - I didn't even know that was a naughty word.



Straight from the hore's mouth,

MS WPA Document. Note this is a MS Word file.



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Edited by - Neon on Oct 15 2001  08:06:39 AM

[n/a]

Hey, Neon, what's with the potty-mouth link? Oh, my almost-virgin ears.



Well, the not-so-offensive word has been removed from the list of no-nos in the bad word filter so the link is working. But if Ace finds out we're wanked.



 







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[Neon]

Um, OK. Actually, I hit the online dictionary out of curiousity, and found the definition here. It is primarily British and Australian slang, and is an impolite term. Well, I learned a new word today.



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[John]

All of the articles I have read concerning Windows XP have been very informative However I don't remember seeing a clear and concise explanation of the Windos XP Product Activation clause. Nor did I read a lot of reviews of other people and their expieriences. I just read in the following link that it is possible to void your PA if you change to many peripherals ie RAM, Video and so on. PCworld There are other issues also. If you need to reinstall Windows XP you need to call Microsoft to once again get their permission. This attitued of Microsoft is distreesing. According to Microsoft the PA wasn't designed to combat wholesale piracy but "casual piracy". If they want to use product activation to determine how many computers use their new OS I can understand that. But not to infringe on the rights of an innocent comsumer. Even in our Judicial system there is a Burden of Proof required before action is taken. I have never been one to shout the sky is falling but if Microsoft can do this what happens next time, or for that matter what about manufacturers of other software. This could get really crazy.



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John