Tuesday, July 26, 2005
Important information about Microsoft Windows software
Microsoft has begun a system to validate your copy of Windows if their site is accessed for updating, except for security updates. This article describes the process: http://www.techworld.com/applications/news/index.cfm?NewsID=4102
If Microsoft determines that your copy is not valid, you will be required to provide some additional information.
As the article points out, "One issue the software maker faces in fighting piracy is that many users don't know that their copy of Windows is illegal." If you purchased a used machine or if you have had work done on your machine, a copy of Windows may be on your machine that Microsoft considers invalid.
As always, I would strongly urge you to consider Microsoft's heavy-handed tactics and well-publicized security problems before purchasing a computer that uses Windows. Apple does not do anything like this. If you have a used machine and want to get away from these problems, you can consider the (legally) free operating system Linux. It is possible to test Linux on your computer without installing it, if you are interested please contact me at webmaster@paf-aft.org.
If Microsoft determines that your copy is not valid, you will be required to provide some additional information.
As the article points out, "One issue the software maker faces in fighting piracy is that many users don't know that their copy of Windows is illegal." If you purchased a used machine or if you have had work done on your machine, a copy of Windows may be on your machine that Microsoft considers invalid.
As always, I would strongly urge you to consider Microsoft's heavy-handed tactics and well-publicized security problems before purchasing a computer that uses Windows. Apple does not do anything like this. If you have a used machine and want to get away from these problems, you can consider the (legally) free operating system Linux. It is possible to test Linux on your computer without installing it, if you are interested please contact me at webmaster@paf-aft.org.
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
Negotiations Update - July
The latest negotiations update can be seen by clicking here.
