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Home > Archive > Architecture > October 2006 > Microsoft trying to be the man, again.
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Microsoft trying to be the man, again.
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| I expect this to be fully cracked within 30 days of release. LOL
(there have already been various releases all over usenet for months)
http://tinyurl.com/ee37p
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| Kris Krieger 2006-10-06, 8:25 pm |
| "Don" <one-if-by-land@concord.com> wrote in
news:eg6f21024pn@news1.newsguy.com:
> I expect this to be fully cracked within 30 days of release. LOL
> (there have already been various releases all over usenet for months)
>
> http://tinyurl.com/ee37p
>
XP, at least XP Pro, already locks you out if you don't activate it in
30 days after inatalling and starting it. So how is this "new" in
"vista"?
To add insult to injury, if you make "too many" changes to your
computer, XP Pro shuts you out and makes you *re* activate the damn
thing all over again.
To activate, you call and recite your product ID to the computer. But
it's an annoyance, and it's stupid that the maschugganah thing
can't/won't just keep up as you add hardware and/or software.
Also, the above article also says:
"Barring people from using their PC is a significant change from the
anti-piracy features that Microsoft bolted on to Windows XP with Windows
Genuine Advantage. In XP, the piracy-busting features only put a block
on downloading additional programs from Microsoft's websites."
BULLSHOOT
Xp Pro, at least, *does* bar you from using the PC. So whomever wrote
this article is either woefully misinformed, or a lamebrain.
Oh yeah, and this article does not at all address what will happen with
open source programs. For example, I had office 97, which refuses to
run on my XP Pro (even tho' it's supposed to). i got a free open Source
"Office" replacement that, to dae, has worked flawlessly - opens, edits,
and saves all Office formats. I can't vouch for advanced functions, but
ti certainly does what I need it to do. So, what will happen next?
Will open Souirce programs be considered "piracy"?
At any rate, as always:
Back up, back up, and back up again. If you add HW/SW, periodically
back up *everything* - the "documents and settings" directory
(completely), and the complete Windows directory, which I could only
back up to DVD via an external program (Roxio Easy CD/DVD). Also, be
sure that the "shadow copy" service is active/enabled, so that files in
use will also be backed up. Also, before backing up the directories,
**definitely** utilize the
Start/Help'n'support/Performance'n'maintenance/UsingSystemRestore/RunSys
temRestore/CreateARestorePoint thingie. I've found it to be useful on
several occasions.
There is also a "create back up" function, but first, take a close look
at what the defualt settings are for "files to not back up". Most of
them are all of you current settings! I guess the idea is that, if you
have made new settings, they'll remain intact, but if the system is
intact, there wouldn't be a need to restore the sytem, so IMO it's dopey
to not back up *ALL* the files...especially since, if you do need to do
a restoration, you have an option to select which files you want or
don't want to restore. So might as well back up *everything*. i even
back up all my Program Files and so on.
Note especially that, unless you are given the general XP installation
DVD with a new machine, it's probable that your version of XP is at
least "motherboard specific" - IOW, if you upgrade you motherboard,
you'll have to purchase a whole new copy of XP. So, although XP (or
"vista" or whatever) will, as the article says, 'probably be activated
already', that is not the same as having an installation disk and it
certainly is no reason to not back up *everything*, and make new backups
periodically if you make any changes to your system.
DVDs don't take up all that much space. I'm making a second set to keep
in my Safe Deposit Box...
So, anyway, I don't see how any of the crap about "vista security" is at
all "new".
And as with everything, increased "security" usually results in making
things an even bigger PITA for honest users, and a way-fun challenge for
hackers.
| |
| Bob Morrison 2006-10-06, 8:25 pm |
| In a previous post Kris Krieger wrote...
> XP, at least XP Pro, already locks you out if you don't activate it in
> 30 days after inatalling and starting it. So how is this "new" in
> "vista"?
>
<snip>
Kris:
That is why I still run Win2K and will continue to do so until MS doesn't
support it anymore.
At least if you have to rebuild a computer you don't have to buy a new
version of the OS that you've already paid for. I'm still waiting for
Linux to get more user friendly, then I'll tell MS to take a hike as I
have already done with many of their programs.
Firefox instead of Internet Explorer
Eudora Pro instead of Outlook (e-mail)
Gravity Newsreader instead of Outlook (newsgroups)
Phonelips & Palm Desktop instead of Outlook (contact data)
and I still running a copy of OFFICE2000, which I never update because the
one time I tried, the update totally screwed up my system. I had to
reformat and re-install everything.
BTW, I recommend that you put Windows (any version) on its own hard-drive
and all your other stuff on a second drive. You will need to reformat
that Windows drive someday. The only positive thing I can say is that the
time between reformats gets longer with each new version of Windows. Not
exactly a glowing recommendation.
--
Bob Morrison, PE, SE
R L Morrison Engineering Co
Structural & Civil Engineering
Poulsbo WA
bob at rlmorrisonengr dot com
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"Kris Krieger" <me@dowmuff.in> wrote in message
news:JkBVg.8154$o71.7485@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net...
> "Don" <one-if-by-land@concord.com> wrote in
> news:eg6f21024pn@news1.newsguy.com:
>
>
> XP, at least XP Pro, already locks you out if you don't activate it in
> 30 days after inatalling and starting it. So how is this "new" in
> "vista"?
Thats why I said *again*.
*when the rules get tuffer the people get sneekier.............*
(XP may be my last purchased OS)
> To add insult to injury, if you make "too many" changes to your
> computer, XP Pro shuts you out and makes you *re* activate the damn
> thing all over again.
>
> To activate, you call and recite your product ID to the computer. But
> it's an annoyance, and it's stupid that the maschugganah thing
> can't/won't just keep up as you add hardware and/or software.
>
> Also, the above article also says:
> "Barring people from using their PC is a significant change from the
> anti-piracy features that Microsoft bolted on to Windows XP with Windows
> Genuine Advantage. In XP, the piracy-busting features only put a block
> on downloading additional programs from Microsoft's websites."
>
> BULLSHOOT
>
> Xp Pro, at least, *does* bar you from using the PC. So whomever wrote
> this article is either woefully misinformed, or a lamebrain.
>
> Oh yeah, and this article does not at all address what will happen with
> open source programs. For example, I had office 97, which refuses to
> run on my XP Pro (even tho' it's supposed to). i got a free open Source
> "Office" replacement that, to dae, has worked flawlessly - opens, edits,
> and saves all Office formats. I can't vouch for advanced functions, but
> ti certainly does what I need it to do. So, what will happen next?
> Will open Souirce programs be considered "piracy"?
>
>
> At any rate, as always:
> Back up, back up, and back up again. If you add HW/SW, periodically
> back up *everything* - the "documents and settings" directory
> (completely), and the complete Windows directory, which I could only
> back up to DVD via an external program (Roxio Easy CD/DVD). Also, be
> sure that the "shadow copy" service is active/enabled, so that files in
> use will also be backed up. Also, before backing up the directories,
> **definitely** utilize the
> Start/Help'n'support/Performance'n'maintenance/UsingSystemRestore/RunSys
> temRestore/CreateARestorePoint thingie. I've found it to be useful on
> several occasions.
>
> There is also a "create back up" function, but first, take a close look
> at what the defualt settings are for "files to not back up". Most of
> them are all of you current settings! I guess the idea is that, if you
> have made new settings, they'll remain intact, but if the system is
> intact, there wouldn't be a need to restore the sytem, so IMO it's dopey
> to not back up *ALL* the files...especially since, if you do need to do
> a restoration, you have an option to select which files you want or
> don't want to restore. So might as well back up *everything*. i even
> back up all my Program Files and so on.
>
> Note especially that, unless you are given the general XP installation
> DVD with a new machine, it's probable that your version of XP is at
> least "motherboard specific" - IOW, if you upgrade you motherboard,
> you'll have to purchase a whole new copy of XP. So, although XP (or
> "vista" or whatever) will, as the article says, 'probably be activated
> already', that is not the same as having an installation disk and it
> certainly is no reason to not back up *everything*, and make new backups
> periodically if you make any changes to your system.
>
> DVDs don't take up all that much space. I'm making a second set to keep
> in my Safe Deposit Box...
>
>
> So, anyway, I don't see how any of the crap about "vista security" is at
> all "new".
>
> And as with everything, increased "security" usually results in making
> things an even bigger PITA for honest users, and a way-fun challenge for
> hackers.
>
>
>
| |
| 3D Peruna 2006-10-07, 5:25 pm |
| Bob Morrison wrote:
> In a previous post Kris Krieger wrote...
> <snip>
>
> Kris:
>
> That is why I still run Win2K and will continue to do so until MS doesn't
> support it anymore.
>
> At least if you have to rebuild a computer you don't have to buy a new
> version of the OS that you've already paid for. I'm still waiting for
> Linux to get more user friendly, then I'll tell MS to take a hike as I
> have already done with many of their programs.
Try Ubuntu...It's pretty darn cool, and easy to use. The only
disadvantage is that the Autodesk stuff doesn't run on it (due to some
hanky-panky between Autodesk and Microsoft). As soon as there's a
decent Linux based architectural CAD program, I'm gone from MS...
(and don't tell me I can use ArchiCAD on a Mac...ArchiCAD has its own
set of problems)
| |
|
| "3D Peruna"> wrote
Paul had me sliding to the front of my chair when he said this:
> Try Ubuntu...It's pretty darn cool, and easy to use.
Then he kicked me in the ballz with this:
The only
> disadvantage is that the Autodesk stuff doesn't run on it (due to some
> hanky-panky between Autodesk and Microsoft). As soon as there's a decent
> Linux based architectural CAD program, I'm gone from MS...
AutoCAD is a pet.
"When you leash a pet you leash yourself".
-ar, 1957
| |
| Kris Krieger 2006-10-11, 5:25 pm |
| Bob Morrison <SpamFighter@junk.com> wrote in
news:MPG.1f908fde4e772372989c52@news.west.earthlink.net:
> In a previous post Kris Krieger wrote...
> <snip>
>
> Kris:
>
> That is why I still run Win2K and will continue to do so until MS
> doesn't support it anymore.
I ended up going for XP Pro because it wasn't clear to me that 2K would
run the Athlon 4800X2 processor or use any of the RAM over 2GB.
Personally, I'd just as soon stick with W98, since I'd finally gotten it
pared down to "bare bones" status - but again, it wouldn't run the new
computer with any efficiency. So there we go.
>
> At least if you have to rebuild a computer you don't have to buy a new
> version of the OS that you've already paid for. I'm still waiting for
> Linux to get more user friendly, then I'll tell MS to take a hike as I
> have already done with many of their programs.
Well, at least I got a generalized Installation CD (I always get custom-
built systems). So I'm not restricted in that way - but I did read that
many (?most?, ?all?) of the "brand name" computers use what IMO is
essentially "crippleware" versions of XP.
> Firefox instead of Internet Explorer
> Eudora Pro instead of Outlook (e-mail)
> Gravity Newsreader instead of Outlook (newsgroups)
> Phonelips & Palm Desktop instead of Outlook (contact data)
Eudora is something I'd used for years and liked, in various versions -
this machine isn't mine, tho', it's the internet toaster but owned by
someone other than myself, so I have little say in the software. Which
is OK, as long as my Graphics Machine functions (no internet connection
on it, at least not yet).
>
> and I still running a copy of OFFICE2000, which I never update because
> the one time I tried, the update totally screwed up my system. I had
> to reformat and re-install everything.
OpenOffice is working great for me - and, being open-source (from
sourceforge.net, IIRC), free.
I use whatever works for me best - so, I paid for my 3D software, but
have no qualms about using an open-source office-substitute.
> BTW, I recommend that you put Windows (any version) on its own
> hard-drive and all your other stuff on a second drive. You will need
> to reformat that Windows drive someday. The only positive thing I can
> say is that the time between reformats gets longer with each new
> version of Windows. Not exactly a glowing recommendation.
>
I have programs on C:\, files on D:\.
And backups of both on DVDs. In fact, it's time to back up new things.
I'm considering getting an external HD as a backup, along wiht the DVDs.
Or even installing an additional HD, backing everything up oonto it, and
then uninstalling it and storing it in the safe-deposit box.
I'd gone through a really bad experience when I'd started using W98, in
that I didn't realize the thing allowed system files to be overwritten
willy-nilly by older (i.e., inoperable) files by *demo* programs, for
petesakes. Lost several potential clients (and got bad recommendations
from same =:-( ) because I couldn't at that time afford to have someone
come in to fix it, and it took forever for me to figure out what was
going on, esp. given that reinstalls of the idiotic thing did not
restore the overwritten files, for some reason I never figured out.
So, one thing I learned the hard way: *back-ups!!!*
And one thing I'd learned from working for the DOD: *in triplicate!!!*
<LOL!>
By this point, I have quite a few things about XP figured out - not re;
using all the "features", but at least how to save it in case I need to
reinstall.
The activation isn't really a big deal insofar as time/effort - it just
galls me to have to do it at all =>:-p . Again, a PITA for users, and
not much of a deterrent for a determined hacker, esp. since even *I*
could figure out what needs to ba saved and transferred and so on in the
even that reinstallation is required.
IMO, it'd be more secure if they had a reasonably-priced OS that worked
very well, such that some sort of user-loyalty would be fostered. As it
is, the programs most likely to be pirated is overpriced bloatware,
especially when everybody jumps up and down as to how you "need" a piece
of expensive bloatware to do even the simplest graphics, or write a
simple letter or report, or do a simple bit of desktop publishing.
Companies encourage that sort of pushing, but then they get POed when,
inevitably, everyone begins to actually think that they *do* "need" it,
but can't afford it - IOW, the bloatware companies themselves create a
demand for "warez" and "appz".
But anyway, backups are always important.
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