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June 29, 2006
Microsoft "Kill Switch"???
If THIS is true, Microsoft and it's products are DOA at Chez OWW.
To recap what Windows Genuine Advantage currently is - During the initial startup of your new PC, you are invited to register your copy of Windows XP with Microsoft - this feature is optional. You then must activate your copy of Windows XP - this is mandatory. When you want to download and install an update, WGA checks your Windows XP serial number against Microsoft's internal database. If MS decides that you're OK, whether you've registered or not, you can download your updates, because your serial number is valid.
So far, so good, sorta. It's kind of intrusive, but I can live with it.
According to the article highlighted above, WGA is about to get much more intrusive, and complicate my professional life enormously. If the quote below is true, Microsoft has just whupped it out in public, is now dragging it in the dirt, and inviting the two classes of people it cannot afford to annoy to stomp all over it with spiked golf shoes.
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I like to review updates before they are installed. The only update that I have not installed is the latest WGA because of the security issues related to it. I called Microsoft support to see if there is a hidden option to say, "yep, I've got updates turned to manual… it's okay." The rep said, "No and why wouldn't you want to get the latest updates to Windows." I responded with the issues relating to WGA. He spent some time telling me that WGA was a good thing, etc. I reiterated that I have accepted all the updates except WGA and just want to review the updates before they're installed on my machine. He told me that "in the fall, having the latest WGA will become mandatory and if its not installed, Windows will give a 30 day warning and when the 30 days is up and WGA isn't installed, Windows will stop working, so you might as well install WGA now." [emphasis added]
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At the SFI (Small Financial Institution) where I work, we've discussed, off and on, going from Windows XP to one or the other of the various Linux distros. I lean towards Xandros, because at need, you can run MS Office 2003 and earlier without any difficulties.
That discussion may now become Very Serious.
And the two classes of people Microsoft cannot afford to annoy?
Your average sophisticated home user who happens to know a decent lawyer will have a field day with this. In fact, if he/she is a lawyer, it'll get really ugly.
What's worse, from Microsoft's viewpoint, is the small- and medium- sized businesses that will drop Windows XP and Windows Server like a hot potato the first time one of said businesses Windows XP installations just....stops working. No more upgrades, and a steady migration to things like Xandros Business Edition and Xandros Server.
I repeat IF the article turns out to be true, Microsoft is in a world of hurt, IF the article is true.
Posted by ward at June 29, 2006 09:36 PM