Vista - Implications of MSFT's Inane New SPP (Software Protection Platform)

The problem is not that MSFT is addressing piracy with a legal staff
dedicated to it full time under the direction of Nancy Anderson, Associate
General Counsel.

Of course MSFT faces a huge, sprawling piracy problem as evidenced by the
maps and literature they hve circulated at their meetings from booths
attended by their attorneys and other employees over the years. It is
complicated by the fact that many governments don't cooperate fully, and
there is a similar situation in India in respect to patents for
pharmaceuticals and in medicine in general in respect to HIV and the Avian
Flu pandemic and Mr. Gates is building on his learning curve in this area
right now.

Microsoft and its partners and its system builders certainly have crucial
concerns over the systemic implications of piracy.

The problem is that MFST is choosing to address piracy in an erratic fashion
that has already shown substantial evidence of inflicting massive collateral
damage and friendly fire on their customers. I hope that if they don't
change this concept that has already proved to cause significant problems
with WGA in its new incranation as SPP, that they are forced to back off the
way they usually are-- they face money loss. If they had been able to make
precise surgical tools, that would be one thing. But they already know that
they are killing Vista and Longhorn Server on boxes that have fully
legitimate licenses and they don't seem to care. This is evidenced if you
read Ed Bott's account of how stupidly they fielded the calls and messages
from a major Windows author, expert, and writer of columns on Microsoft's
site.

I don't have any doubt there will be substantial litigation and possibly
class action suits for Nancy Anderson's legal team at Microsoft, and while
many suits are baseless--these will not be and they will be filed by high
quality legal talent.

Ed Bott is doing a stellar job of tracking this, analyzing, and critiquing
this and Ed Bott co-authors one of the most complete and authoritative
Windows references for every operating system including the one that has
pre-sold nearly a million copies, "Windows Vista Inside Out" by Microsoft
Press
http://www.microsoft.com/MSPress/books/9361.asp

Ed Bott's Bookstore
http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?page_id=993

Ed Bott's Three Blogs

Ed Bott's Microsoft Report
http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/

Ed Bott's Windows Expertise/Tips, tricks, news, and advice about Windows and
Office
http://www.edbott.com/weblog/

Ed Bott's Media Central
http://www.edbott.com/mediacenter/index.php

Ed Bott's Columns on MSFT's Site
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/e...erts/bott.mspx

The author of one of the major books on Windows OS's and numerous
articles for MSFT over the year Ed Bott has taken MSFT to task for their
sloppy work with WGA repeatedly in the last few months and the same sloppy
work with SPP and MSFT has had totally ignorant spokes persons speak to
different questioners that are quoted on Ed's two blogs currently with the
most inane and no knowledgable defenses of WGA which does not work correctly
and SPP which will not work correctly immaginable. They are making a fool
of themselves with the implemenation of WGA and SPP and they are going to
learn to back off when it hits them in the area they worship--their money.

See and note in these articles the inane responses of MSFT representatives
to the author of one of the best selling major books on their major
Operating System software and others--one more example of MSFT's perception
of the public as stupid and their tin ear contempt for the public who are
their customers and put Windows on 97% of the boxes on the planet.

I want people to note this conversation because it speaks volumes about
MSFT's inane contracted support and MSFT's oversight of it and MSFT's
attitude as to how little it means when they represent themselves to their
customers--this is a conversation that Ed Bott had with "MSFT PSS" probably
Convergys of Ohio contracting:

From Ed Bott at http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=84

"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]

I'm wondering if Microsoft has the right to disable Windows functionality or
the OS as a whole (tantamount to revoking my legitimate Windows license) if
I do not install every piece of software that they send it updates.

That can't be true, can it? I'm always suspicious of any report that comes
from a front-line tech support drone, so I sent a note to Microsoft asking
for an official confirmation or, better yet, a denial. Instead, I got this
terse response from a Microsoft spokesperson:

As we have mentioned previously, as the WGA Notifications program expands
in the future, customers may be required to participate. [emphasis added]
Microsoft is gathering feedback in select markets to learn how it can best
meet its customers' needs and will keep customers informed of any changes to
the program.

That's it. That's the entire response.

Uh-oh. Currently, Windows users have the ability to opt out of the Windows
Genuine Advantage program and still get security patches and other Critical
Updates delivered via Windows Update. The only thing you give up is the
ability to download optional updates. Hackers have been working overtime to
find ways to disable WGA notification. If WGA becomes mandatory, would it
mean that Microsoft could prevent Windows from working if it determines -
possibly erroneously - that your copy isn't "genuine"? That's a chilling
possibility, and Microsoft refuses an easy opportunity to deny that that
option is in its plans.

Over at Ed Bott's Windows Expertise, I've been soliciting feedback from
Windows users who've been burned by WGA. So far, I've received 20 comments.

Here's a sampling:

a.. I have an XP Media center with a promise RAID 0 4-disc array. When I
installed the WPA it broke the drivers for the array by causing failed
delayed writes (half of the array just "disapears".) If I do a system
restore to before the installation of the WPA everything goes back to
working just fine.
b.. [S]ince installing WPA : I've had blue screens and a total inability
to boot. I had to run the XP repair function to get the computer to boot. I
had a damaged boot sector on the hard drive. I am running two drives on a
RAID 1 config.
c.. I purchased a SEALED OEM copy of XP Professional. WGA said the license
key was already used. I called MS and they said I should uninstall and buy
another copy. I told them I wasn't made of money and hung-up.
d.. Microsoft rejected the product key that came with the ThinkPad I'm
using. I had to call in and they gave me another code to enter which
supposedly worked but now I get the blue screen of death about every other
time I reboot. I've also lost all internet connectivity.
e.. I sent my Compaq Presario notebook for service repair, and it fails
the WGA check. I have a legal version of windows xp professional on it. But
I have no way to correct this problem.
What's most disturbing about this whole saga is Microsoft's complete lack of
transparency on the issue. And before the ABM crowd jumps in with
predictable "What did you expect?" comments, let me argue that Microsoft
actually has a fairly good track record on transparency issues in recent
years. Windows Product Activation is very well documented, and when a
similar uproar occurred in 2001, it was squelched quickly by some fairly
prominent postings from high-level executives who provided details without a
lot of spin. Likewise, the Microsoft Security Response Center has done an
exceptional job at providing quick responses to security issues. (Just ask
Adam Shostack.)

Currently, no one at Microsoft is blogging about this fiasco. No executive
has been quoted on the record about it. There are very few technical details
available, and those that have been published are being tumbled through the
spin machine and spit out as press releases.

If Microsoft really does plan to turn WGA into a kill switch in September,
be prepared for an enormous backlash."

From Ed Bott on October 5, 2006:

UAC Good; SPP Not So Good
http://www.edbott.com/weblog/

"SPP, on the other hand, is the successor to Windows Genuine Advantage. Both
initiatives have in common a reliance on Orwellian language that appears to
be in the customer's benefit but is actually a horrible inconvenience and
potentially a nightmare. Despite Microsoft's attempts to spin the new
program, there's no advantage for the Windows customer, and the only thing
being protected is Microsoft's revenue stream."

Microsoft Issues Warning to VLK Customers Over WGA Fail
http://www.neowin.net/index.php?act=view&id=35401

Guess there will be a WGA "Kill Switch After All"
Published October 4, 2006 by Ed Bott
http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=1495

Is Microsoft about to release a Windows "kill switch"?
http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=84

Search on WGA
http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/

October 4, 2006 For Vista, WGA gets Tougher
http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=148

Ed Bott Blog Readers Burned by WGA
http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=1370#comments

WGA is a Mess
http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=1476

Microsoft Kill Switch in Windows Vista and threat to disable Windows (the
so-called Microsoft Software Protection Platform)
http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=84

Microsoft's Software Protection Platform: Protecting Software and Customers
from Counterfeiters
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/f...rotection.mspx

Microsoft’s Software Protection Platform: Protecting Software and Customers
from Counterfeiters
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/f...rotection.mspx

White Paper: Software Protection Platform: Innovations for Windows Vista
and Windows Server "Longhorn" Oct. 2006 (.doc file, 2.7 MB)
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/f...rotection.mspx

Microsoft Issues Warning to VLK Customers Over WGA Fail
http://www.neowin.net/index.php?act=view&id=35401

Phil Liu of Microsoft has reported problems with the Windows Genuine
Advantage authentication method for Volume License Key (VLK) customers and a
temporary work-around.

"Just a heads up on an issue related to (Volume) VLK validation. On Monday
and Tuesday of this week (Oct 2-3), some VLK customers may have experienced
problems with WGA validation. If a Windows XP system with a VLK recently
began failing validation or reporting as non-genuine, then they may
experiencing this problem. The problem was the result of an issue on the
Microsoft server side, and we are still investigating the cause. We regret
any inconvenience this may have caused you, and I am personally working to
get the information you need to resolve this issue.

We do have steps available that affected customers can take to correct the
problem, and we’ll continue to work on solutions and post them on this
forum."

Customers who are affected can:
1.. Delete the data.dat file from Cocuments and SettingsAll
UsersApplication DataWindows Genuine Advantagedata (The drive letter will
depend on where the OS was installed)
2.. Revisit http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/dow.../validate.aspx to
confirm that the machine is now genuine.
3.. Run wgatray.exe /b from the command line to ensure that the latest
validation is updated for WGA Notifications. This command may not be present
on the user’s machine and should not be considered an error if it is not.
Please ensure that this is run as an Administrator. A reboot may be required
to remove all non-genuine notifications."
CH

And the reason you understand this is because you must be insane.
"Chad Harris" <Vista RTM is really Beta 1.net> wrote in message
news:OPttOLk6GHA.4708@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> The problem is not that MSFT is addressing piracy with a legal staff
> dedicated to it full time under the direction of Nancy Anderson, Associate
> General Counsel.
>
> Of course MSFT faces a huge, sprawling piracy problem as evidenced by the
> maps and literature they hve circulated at their meetings from booths
> attended by their attorneys and other employees over the years. It is
> complicated by the fact that many governments don't cooperate fully, and
> there is a similar situation in India in respect to patents for
> pharmaceuticals and in medicine in general in respect to HIV and the Avian
> Flu pandemic and Mr. Gates is building on his learning curve in this area
> right now.
>
> Microsoft and its partners and its system builders certainly have crucial
> concerns over the systemic implications of piracy.
>
> The problem is that MFST is choosing to address piracy in an erratic
> fashion that has already shown substantial evidence of inflicting massive
> collateral damage and friendly fire on their customers. I hope that if
> they don't change this concept that has already proved to cause
> significant problems with WGA in its new incranation as SPP, that they are
> forced to back off the way they usually are-- they face money loss. If
> they had been able to make precise surgical tools, that would be one
> thing. But they already know that they are killing Vista and Longhorn
> Server on boxes that have fully legitimate licenses and they don't seem to
> care. This is evidenced if you read Ed Bott's account of how stupidly
> they fielded the calls and messages from a major Windows author, expert,
> and writer of columns on Microsoft's site.
>
> I don't have any doubt there will be substantial litigation and possibly
> class action suits for Nancy Anderson's legal team at Microsoft, and while
> many suits are baseless--these will not be and they will be filed by high
> quality legal talent.
>
> Ed Bott is doing a stellar job of tracking this, analyzing, and critiquing
> this and Ed Bott co-authors one of the most complete and authoritative
> Windows references for every operating system including the one that has
> pre-sold nearly a million copies, "Windows Vista Inside Out" by Microsoft
> Press
> http://www.microsoft.com/MSPress/books/9361.asp
>
> Ed Bott's Bookstore
> http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?page_id=993
>
> Ed Bott's Three Blogs
>
> Ed Bott's Microsoft Report
> http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/
>
> Ed Bott's Windows Expertise/Tips, tricks, news, and advice about Windows
> and Office
> http://www.edbott.com/weblog/
>
> Ed Bott's Media Central
> http://www.edbott.com/mediacenter/index.php
>
> Ed Bott's Columns on MSFT's Site
> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/e...erts/bott.mspx
>
> The author of one of the major books on Windows OS's and numerous
> articles for MSFT over the year Ed Bott has taken MSFT to task for their
> sloppy work with WGA repeatedly in the last few months and the same sloppy
> work with SPP and MSFT has had totally ignorant spokes persons speak to
> different questioners that are quoted on Ed's two blogs currently with the
> most inane and no knowledgable defenses of WGA which does not work
> correctly
> and SPP which will not work correctly immaginable. They are making a fool
> of themselves with the implemenation of WGA and SPP and they are going to
> learn to back off when it hits them in the area they worship--their money.
>
> See and note in these articles the inane responses of MSFT
> representatives
> to the author of one of the best selling major books on their major
> Operating System software and others--one more example of MSFT's
> perception
> of the public as stupid and their tin ear contempt for the public who are
> their customers and put Windows on 97% of the boxes on the planet.
>
> I want people to note this conversation because it speaks volumes about
> MSFT's inane contracted support and MSFT's oversight of it and MSFT's
> attitude as to how little it means when they represent themselves to their
> customers--this is a conversation that Ed Bott had with "MSFT PSS"
> probably
> Convergys of Ohio contracting:
>
> From Ed Bott at http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=84
>
> "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]
>
> I'm wondering if Microsoft has the right to disable Windows functionality
> or
> the OS as a whole (tantamount to revoking my legitimate Windows license)
> if
> I do not install every piece of software that they send it updates.
>
> That can't be true, can it? I'm always suspicious of any report that comes
> from a front-line tech support drone, so I sent a note to Microsoft asking
> for an official confirmation or, better yet, a denial. Instead, I got this
> terse response from a Microsoft spokesperson:
>
> As we have mentioned previously, as the WGA Notifications program expands
> in the future, customers may be required to participate. [emphasis added]
> Microsoft is gathering feedback in select markets to learn how it can best
> meet its customers' needs and will keep customers informed of any changes
> to
> the program.
>
> That's it. That's the entire response.
>
> Uh-oh. Currently, Windows users have the ability to opt out of the Windows
> Genuine Advantage program and still get security patches and other
> Critical
> Updates delivered via Windows Update. The only thing you give up is the
> ability to download optional updates. Hackers have been working overtime
> to
> find ways to disable WGA notification. If WGA becomes mandatory, would it
> mean that Microsoft could prevent Windows from working if it determines -
> possibly erroneously - that your copy isn't "genuine"? That's a chilling
> possibility, and Microsoft refuses an easy opportunity to deny that that
> option is in its plans.
>
> Over at Ed Bott's Windows Expertise, I've been soliciting feedback from
> Windows users who've been burned by WGA. So far, I've received 20
> comments.
>
> Here's a sampling:
>
> a.. I have an XP Media center with a promise RAID 0 4-disc array. When I
> installed the WPA it broke the drivers for the array by causing failed
> delayed writes (half of the array just "disapears".) If I do a system
> restore to before the installation of the WPA everything goes back to
> working just fine.
> b.. [S]ince installing WPA : I've had blue screens and a total inability
> to boot. I had to run the XP repair function to get the computer to boot.
> I
> had a damaged boot sector on the hard drive. I am running two drives on a
> RAID 1 config.
> c.. I purchased a SEALED OEM copy of XP Professional. WGA said the
> license
> key was already used. I called MS and they said I should uninstall and buy
> another copy. I told them I wasn't made of money and hung-up.
> d.. Microsoft rejected the product key that came with the ThinkPad I'm
> using. I had to call in and they gave me another code to enter which
> supposedly worked but now I get the blue screen of death about every other
> time I reboot. I've also lost all internet connectivity.
> e.. I sent my Compaq Presario notebook for service repair, and it fails
> the WGA check. I have a legal version of windows xp professional on it.
> But
> I have no way to correct this problem.
> What's most disturbing about this whole saga is Microsoft's complete lack
> of
> transparency on the issue. And before the ABM crowd jumps in with
> predictable "What did you expect?" comments, let me argue that Microsoft
> actually has a fairly good track record on transparency issues in recent
> years. Windows Product Activation is very well documented, and when a
> similar uproar occurred in 2001, it was squelched quickly by some fairly
> prominent postings from high-level executives who provided details without
> a
> lot of spin. Likewise, the Microsoft Security Response Center has done an
> exceptional job at providing quick responses to security issues. (Just ask
> Adam Shostack.)
>
> Currently, no one at Microsoft is blogging about this fiasco. No executive
> has been quoted on the record about it. There are very few technical
> details
> available, and those that have been published are being tumbled through
> the
> spin machine and spit out as press releases.
>
> If Microsoft really does plan to turn WGA into a kill switch in September,
> be prepared for an enormous backlash."
>
> From Ed Bott on October 5, 2006:
>
> UAC Good; SPP Not So Good
> http://www.edbott.com/weblog/
>
> "SPP, on the other hand, is the successor to Windows Genuine Advantage.
> Both
> initiatives have in common a reliance on Orwellian language that appears
> to
> be in the customer's benefit but is actually a horrible inconvenience and
> potentially a nightmare. Despite Microsoft's attempts to spin the new
> program, there's no advantage for the Windows customer, and the only thing
> being protected is Microsoft's revenue stream."
>
> Microsoft Issues Warning to VLK Customers Over WGA Fail
> http://www.neowin.net/index.php?act=view&id=35401
>
> Guess there will be a WGA "Kill Switch After All"
> Published October 4, 2006 by Ed Bott
> http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=1495
>
> Is Microsoft about to release a Windows "kill switch"?
> http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=84
>
> Search on WGA
> http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/
>
> October 4, 2006 For Vista, WGA gets Tougher
> http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=148
>
> Ed Bott Blog Readers Burned by WGA
> http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=1370#comments
>
> WGA is a Mess
> http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=1476
>
> Microsoft Kill Switch in Windows Vista and threat to disable Windows (the
> so-called Microsoft Software Protection Platform)
> http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=84
>
> Microsoft's Software Protection Platform: Protecting Software and
> Customers
> from Counterfeiters
> http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/f...rotection.mspx
>
> Microsoft's Software Protection Platform: Protecting Software and
> Customers from Counterfeiters
> http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/f...rotection.mspx
>
> White Paper: Software Protection Platform: Innovations for Windows Vista
> and Windows Server "Longhorn" Oct. 2006 (.doc file, 2.7 MB)
> http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/f...rotection.mspx
>
> Microsoft Issues Warning to VLK Customers Over WGA Fail
> http://www.neowin.net/index.php?act=view&id=35401
>
> Phil Liu of Microsoft has reported problems with the Windows Genuine
> Advantage authentication method for Volume License Key (VLK) customers and
> a temporary work-around.
>
> "Just a heads up on an issue related to (Volume) VLK validation. On Monday
> and Tuesday of this week (Oct 2-3), some VLK customers may have
> experienced problems with WGA validation. If a Windows XP system with a
> VLK recently began failing validation or reporting as non-genuine, then
> they may experiencing this problem. The problem was the result of an issue
> on the Microsoft server side, and we are still investigating the cause. We
> regret any inconvenience this may have caused you, and I am personally
> working to get the information you need to resolve this issue.
>
> We do have steps available that affected customers can take to correct the
> problem, and we'll continue to work on solutions and post them on this
> forum."
>
> Customers who are affected can:
> 1.. Delete the data.dat file from Cocuments and SettingsAll
> UsersApplication DataWindows Genuine Advantagedata (The drive letter will
> depend on where the OS was installed)
> 2.. Revisit http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/dow.../validate.aspx to
> confirm that the machine is now genuine.
> 3.. Run wgatray.exe /b from the command line to ensure that the latest
> validation is updated for WGA Notifications. This command may not be
> present on the user's machine and should not be considered an error if it
> is not. Please ensure that this is run as an Administrator. A reboot may
> be required to remove all non-genuine notifications."
> CH
>
>
>
>
>

The only insane entities in this discussion so far are

1) the implementation by MSFT of SPP that is erratic and will elicit a
ground swell of hate and opposition

2) anyone who doesn't understand it.

Be specific Sammy-R on what precisely you think is insane about what I said.
Or maybe you can't. Great post.

CH




"SAM-R" <SAM-R@news.postalias> wrote in message
news:A58F9937-15AE-4F77-A028-FE7FEF6E3A71@microsoft.com...
> And the reason you understand this is because you must be insane.
> "Chad Harris" <Vista RTM is really Beta 1.net> wrote in message
> news:OPttOLk6GHA.4708@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>> The problem is not that MSFT is addressing piracy with a legal staff
>> dedicated to it full time under the direction of Nancy Anderson,
>> Associate General Counsel.
>>
>> Of course MSFT faces a huge, sprawling piracy problem as evidenced by the
>> maps and literature they hve circulated at their meetings from booths
>> attended by their attorneys and other employees over the years. It is
>> complicated by the fact that many governments don't cooperate fully, and
>> there is a similar situation in India in respect to patents for
>> pharmaceuticals and in medicine in general in respect to HIV and the
>> Avian Flu pandemic and Mr. Gates is building on his learning curve in
>> this area right now.
>>
>> Microsoft and its partners and its system builders certainly have crucial
>> concerns over the systemic implications of piracy.
>>
>> The problem is that MFST is choosing to address piracy in an erratic
>> fashion that has already shown substantial evidence of inflicting massive
>> collateral damage and friendly fire on their customers. I hope that if
>> they don't change this concept that has already proved to cause
>> significant problems with WGA in its new incranation as SPP, that they
>> are forced to back off the way they usually are-- they face money loss.
>> If they had been able to make precise surgical tools, that would be one
>> thing. But they already know that they are killing Vista and Longhorn
>> Server on boxes that have fully legitimate licenses and they don't seem
>> to care. This is evidenced if you read Ed Bott's account of how stupidly
>> they fielded the calls and messages from a major Windows author, expert,
>> and writer of columns on Microsoft's site.
>>
>> I don't have any doubt there will be substantial litigation and possibly
>> class action suits for Nancy Anderson's legal team at Microsoft, and
>> while many suits are baseless--these will not be and they will be filed
>> by high quality legal talent.
>>
>> Ed Bott is doing a stellar job of tracking this, analyzing, and
>> critiquing this and Ed Bott co-authors one of the most complete and
>> authoritative Windows references for every operating system including the
>> one that has pre-sold nearly a million copies, "Windows Vista Inside Out"
>> by Microsoft Press
>> http://www.microsoft.com/MSPress/books/9361.asp
>>
>> Ed Bott's Bookstore
>> http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?page_id=993
>>
>> Ed Bott's Three Blogs
>>
>> Ed Bott's Microsoft Report
>> http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/
>>
>> Ed Bott's Windows Expertise/Tips, tricks, news, and advice about Windows
>> and Office
>> http://www.edbott.com/weblog/
>>
>> Ed Bott's Media Central
>> http://www.edbott.com/mediacenter/index.php
>>
>> Ed Bott's Columns on MSFT's Site
>> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/e...erts/bott.mspx
>>
>> The author of one of the major books on Windows OS's and numerous
>> articles for MSFT over the year Ed Bott has taken MSFT to task for their
>> sloppy work with WGA repeatedly in the last few months and the same
>> sloppy
>> work with SPP and MSFT has had totally ignorant spokes persons speak to
>> different questioners that are quoted on Ed's two blogs currently with
>> the
>> most inane and no knowledgable defenses of WGA which does not work
>> correctly
>> and SPP which will not work correctly immaginable. They are making a
>> fool
>> of themselves with the implemenation of WGA and SPP and they are going to
>> learn to back off when it hits them in the area they worship--their
>> money.
>>
>> See and note in these articles the inane responses of MSFT
>> representatives
>> to the author of one of the best selling major books on their major
>> Operating System software and others--one more example of MSFT's
>> perception
>> of the public as stupid and their tin ear contempt for the public who are
>> their customers and put Windows on 97% of the boxes on the planet.
>>
>> I want people to note this conversation because it speaks volumes about
>> MSFT's inane contracted support and MSFT's oversight of it and MSFT's
>> attitude as to how little it means when they represent themselves to
>> their
>> customers--this is a conversation that Ed Bott had with "MSFT PSS"
>> probably
>> Convergys of Ohio contracting:
>>
>> From Ed Bott at http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=84
>>
>> "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]
>>
>> I'm wondering if Microsoft has the right to disable Windows functionality
>> or
>> the OS as a whole (tantamount to revoking my legitimate Windows license)
>> if
>> I do not install every piece of software that they send it updates.
>>
>> That can't be true, can it? I'm always suspicious of any report that
>> comes
>> from a front-line tech support drone, so I sent a note to Microsoft
>> asking
>> for an official confirmation or, better yet, a denial. Instead, I got
>> this
>> terse response from a Microsoft spokesperson:
>>
>> As we have mentioned previously, as the WGA Notifications program
>> expands
>> in the future, customers may be required to participate. [emphasis added]
>> Microsoft is gathering feedback in select markets to learn how it can
>> best
>> meet its customers' needs and will keep customers informed of any changes
>> to
>> the program.
>>
>> That's it. That's the entire response.
>>
>> Uh-oh. Currently, Windows users have the ability to opt out of the
>> Windows
>> Genuine Advantage program and still get security patches and other
>> Critical
>> Updates delivered via Windows Update. The only thing you give up is the
>> ability to download optional updates. Hackers have been working overtime
>> to
>> find ways to disable WGA notification. If WGA becomes mandatory, would it
>> mean that Microsoft could prevent Windows from working if it determines -
>> possibly erroneously - that your copy isn't "genuine"? That's a chilling
>> possibility, and Microsoft refuses an easy opportunity to deny that that
>> option is in its plans.
>>
>> Over at Ed Bott's Windows Expertise, I've been soliciting feedback from
>> Windows users who've been burned by WGA. So far, I've received 20
>> comments.
>>
>> Here's a sampling:
>>
>> a.. I have an XP Media center with a promise RAID 0 4-disc array. When I
>> installed the WPA it broke the drivers for the array by causing failed
>> delayed writes (half of the array just "disapears".) If I do a system
>> restore to before the installation of the WPA everything goes back to
>> working just fine.
>> b.. [S]ince installing WPA : I've had blue screens and a total inability
>> to boot. I had to run the XP repair function to get the computer to boot.
>> I
>> had a damaged boot sector on the hard drive. I am running two drives on a
>> RAID 1 config.
>> c.. I purchased a SEALED OEM copy of XP Professional. WGA said the
>> license
>> key was already used. I called MS and they said I should uninstall and
>> buy
>> another copy. I told them I wasn't made of money and hung-up.
>> d.. Microsoft rejected the product key that came with the ThinkPad I'm
>> using. I had to call in and they gave me another code to enter which
>> supposedly worked but now I get the blue screen of death about every
>> other
>> time I reboot. I've also lost all internet connectivity.
>> e.. I sent my Compaq Presario notebook for service repair, and it fails
>> the WGA check. I have a legal version of windows xp professional on it.
>> But
>> I have no way to correct this problem.
>> What's most disturbing about this whole saga is Microsoft's complete lack
>> of
>> transparency on the issue. And before the ABM crowd jumps in with
>> predictable "What did you expect?" comments, let me argue that Microsoft
>> actually has a fairly good track record on transparency issues in recent
>> years. Windows Product Activation is very well documented, and when a
>> similar uproar occurred in 2001, it was squelched quickly by some fairly
>> prominent postings from high-level executives who provided details
>> without a
>> lot of spin. Likewise, the Microsoft Security Response Center has done an
>> exceptional job at providing quick responses to security issues. (Just
>> ask
>> Adam Shostack.)
>>
>> Currently, no one at Microsoft is blogging about this fiasco. No
>> executive
>> has been quoted on the record about it. There are very few technical
>> details
>> available, and those that have been published are being tumbled through
>> the
>> spin machine and spit out as press releases.
>>
>> If Microsoft really does plan to turn WGA into a kill switch in
>> September,
>> be prepared for an enormous backlash."
>>
>> From Ed Bott on October 5, 2006:
>>
>> UAC Good; SPP Not So Good
>> http://www.edbott.com/weblog/
>>
>> "SPP, on the other hand, is the successor to Windows Genuine Advantage.
>> Both
>> initiatives have in common a reliance on Orwellian language that appears
>> to
>> be in the customer's benefit but is actually a horrible inconvenience and
>> potentially a nightmare. Despite Microsoft's attempts to spin the new
>> program, there's no advantage for the Windows customer, and the only
>> thing
>> being protected is Microsoft's revenue stream."
>>
>> Microsoft Issues Warning to VLK Customers Over WGA Fail
>> http://www.neowin.net/index.php?act=view&id=35401
>>
>> Guess there will be a WGA "Kill Switch After All"
>> Published October 4, 2006 by Ed Bott
>> http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=1495
>>
>> Is Microsoft about to release a Windows "kill switch"?
>> http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=84
>>
>> Search on WGA
>> http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/
>>
>> October 4, 2006 For Vista, WGA gets Tougher
>> http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=148
>>
>> Ed Bott Blog Readers Burned by WGA
>> http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=1370#comments
>>
>> WGA is a Mess
>> http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=1476
>>
>> Microsoft Kill Switch in Windows Vista and threat to disable Windows (the
>> so-called Microsoft Software Protection Platform)
>> http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=84
>>
>> Microsoft's Software Protection Platform: Protecting Software and
>> Customers
>> from Counterfeiters
>> http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/f...rotection.mspx
>>
>> Microsoft's Software Protection Platform: Protecting Software and
>> Customers from Counterfeiters
>> http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/f...rotection.mspx
>>
>> White Paper: Software Protection Platform: Innovations for Windows Vista
>> and Windows Server "Longhorn" Oct. 2006 (.doc file, 2.7 MB)
>> http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/f...rotection.mspx
>>
>> Microsoft Issues Warning to VLK Customers Over WGA Fail
>> http://www.neowin.net/index.php?act=view&id=35401
>>
>> Phil Liu of Microsoft has reported problems with the Windows Genuine
>> Advantage authentication method for Volume License Key (VLK) customers
>> and a temporary work-around.
>>
>> "Just a heads up on an issue related to (Volume) VLK validation. On
>> Monday and Tuesday of this week (Oct 2-3), some VLK customers may have
>> experienced problems with WGA validation. If a Windows XP system with a
>> VLK recently began failing validation or reporting as non-genuine, then
>> they may experiencing this problem. The problem was the result of an
>> issue on the Microsoft server side, and we are still investigating the
>> cause. We regret any inconvenience this may have caused you, and I am
>> personally working to get the information you need to resolve this issue.
>>
>> We do have steps available that affected customers can take to correct
>> the problem, and we'll continue to work on solutions and post them on
>> this forum."
>>
>> Customers who are affected can:
>> 1.. Delete the data.dat file from Cocuments and SettingsAll
>> UsersApplication DataWindows Genuine Advantagedata (The drive letter will
>> depend on where the OS was installed)
>> 2.. Revisit http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/dow.../validate.aspx to
>> confirm that the machine is now genuine.
>> 3.. Run wgatray.exe /b from the command line to ensure that the latest
>> validation is updated for WGA Notifications. This command may not be
>> present on the user's machine and should not be considered an error if it
>> is not. Please ensure that this is run as an Administrator. A reboot may
>> be required to remove all non-genuine notifications."
>> CH
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>

By the way Sam-R lol the word "inane" was not meant to be "insane" as you
misread--try a sixth grade vocabulary or English course lol.

Your post was a pretty INANE admission that you haven't got a high school
level vocab.

More great evidence that the US is largely illiterate in 2006.

LOL It just dawned on me that since Sam-R doesn't have the word "inane" in
his vocabulary, he thought there was a what is frequent here--a typo in the
subject.

Lol to the 64th:

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.0.1) - Cite This Source
in?ane /?'ne?n/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[i-neyn]
Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation

-adjective 1. lacking sense, significance, or ideas; silly: inane questions.
2. empty; void.
-noun 3. something that is empty or void, esp. the void of infinite space.


--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[Origin: 1655-65; < L inanis]

-Related forms
in?ane?ly, adverb


-Synonyms 1. pointless. See foolish.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.0.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc.
2006.


CH


"SAM-R" <SAM-R@news.postalias> wrote in message
news:A58F9937-15AE-4F77-A028-FE7FEF6E3A71@microsoft.com...
> And the reason you understand this is because you must be insane.
> "Chad Harris" <Vista RTM is really Beta 1.net> wrote in message
> news:OPttOLk6GHA.4708@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>> The problem is not that MSFT is addressing piracy with a legal staff
>> dedicated to it full time under the direction of Nancy Anderson,
>> Associate General Counsel.
>>
>> Of course MSFT faces a huge, sprawling piracy problem as evidenced by the
>> maps and literature they hve circulated at their meetings from booths
>> attended by their attorneys and other employees over the years. It is
>> complicated by the fact that many governments don't cooperate fully, and
>> there is a similar situation in India in respect to patents for
>> pharmaceuticals and in medicine in general in respect to HIV and the
>> Avian Flu pandemic and Mr. Gates is building on his learning curve in
>> this area right now.
>>
>> Microsoft and its partners and its system builders certainly have crucial
>> concerns over the systemic implications of piracy.
>>
>> The problem is that MFST is choosing to address piracy in an erratic
>> fashion that has already shown substantial evidence of inflicting massive
>> collateral damage and friendly fire on their customers. I hope that if
>> they don't change this concept that has already proved to cause
>> significant problems with WGA in its new incranation as SPP, that they
>> are forced to back off the way they usually are-- they face money loss.
>> If they had been able to make precise surgical tools, that would be one
>> thing. But they already know that they are killing Vista and Longhorn
>> Server on boxes that have fully legitimate licenses and they don't seem
>> to care. This is evidenced if you read Ed Bott's account of how stupidly
>> they fielded the calls and messages from a major Windows author, expert,
>> and writer of columns on Microsoft's site.
>>
>> I don't have any doubt there will be substantial litigation and possibly
>> class action suits for Nancy Anderson's legal team at Microsoft, and
>> while many suits are baseless--these will not be and they will be filed
>> by high quality legal talent.
>>
>> Ed Bott is doing a stellar job of tracking this, analyzing, and
>> critiquing this and Ed Bott co-authors one of the most complete and
>> authoritative Windows references for every operating system including the
>> one that has pre-sold nearly a million copies, "Windows Vista Inside Out"
>> by Microsoft Press
>> http://www.microsoft.com/MSPress/books/9361.asp
>>
>> Ed Bott's Bookstore
>> http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?page_id=993
>>
>> Ed Bott's Three Blogs
>>
>> Ed Bott's Microsoft Report
>> http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/
>>
>> Ed Bott's Windows Expertise/Tips, tricks, news, and advice about Windows
>> and Office
>> http://www.edbott.com/weblog/
>>
>> Ed Bott's Media Central
>> http://www.edbott.com/mediacenter/index.php
>>
>> Ed Bott's Columns on MSFT's Site
>> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/e...erts/bott.mspx
>>
>> The author of one of the major books on Windows OS's and numerous
>> articles for MSFT over the year Ed Bott has taken MSFT to task for their
>> sloppy work with WGA repeatedly in the last few months and the same
>> sloppy
>> work with SPP and MSFT has had totally ignorant spokes persons speak to
>> different questioners that are quoted on Ed's two blogs currently with
>> the
>> most inane and no knowledgable defenses of WGA which does not work
>> correctly
>> and SPP which will not work correctly immaginable. They are making a
>> fool
>> of themselves with the implemenation of WGA and SPP and they are going to
>> learn to back off when it hits them in the area they worship--their
>> money.
>>
>> See and note in these articles the inane responses of MSFT
>> representatives
>> to the author of one of the best selling major books on their major
>> Operating System software and others--one more example of MSFT's
>> perception
>> of the public as stupid and their tin ear contempt for the public who are
>> their customers and put Windows on 97% of the boxes on the planet.
>>
>> I want people to note this conversation because it speaks volumes about
>> MSFT's inane contracted support and MSFT's oversight of it and MSFT's
>> attitude as to how little it means when they represent themselves to
>> their
>> customers--this is a conversation that Ed Bott had with "MSFT PSS"
>> probably
>> Convergys of Ohio contracting:
>>
>> From Ed Bott at http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=84
>>
>> "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]
>>
>> I'm wondering if Microsoft has the right to disable Windows functionality
>> or
>> the OS as a whole (tantamount to revoking my legitimate Windows license)
>> if
>> I do not install every piece of software that they send it updates.
>>
>> That can't be true, can it? I'm always suspicious of any report that
>> comes
>> from a front-line tech support drone, so I sent a note to Microsoft
>> asking
>> for an official confirmation or, better yet, a denial. Instead, I got
>> this
>> terse response from a Microsoft spokesperson:
>>
>> As we have mentioned previously, as the WGA Notifications program
>> expands
>> in the future, customers may be required to participate. [emphasis added]
>> Microsoft is gathering feedback in select markets to learn how it can
>> best
>> meet its customers' needs and will keep customers informed of any changes
>> to
>> the program.
>>
>> That's it. That's the entire response.
>>
>> Uh-oh. Currently, Windows users have the ability to opt out of the
>> Windows
>> Genuine Advantage program and still get security patches and other
>> Critical
>> Updates delivered via Windows Update. The only thing you give up is the
>> ability to download optional updates. Hackers have been working overtime
>> to
>> find ways to disable WGA notification. If WGA becomes mandatory, would it
>> mean that Microsoft could prevent Windows from working if it determines -
>> possibly erroneously - that your copy isn't "genuine"? That's a chilling
>> possibility, and Microsoft refuses an easy opportunity to deny that that
>> option is in its plans.
>>
>> Over at Ed Bott's Windows Expertise, I've been soliciting feedback from
>> Windows users who've been burned by WGA. So far, I've received 20
>> comments.
>>
>> Here's a sampling:
>>
>> a.. I have an XP Media center with a promise RAID 0 4-disc array. When I
>> installed the WPA it broke the drivers for the array by causing failed
>> delayed writes (half of the array just "disapears".) If I do a system
>> restore to before the installation of the WPA everything goes back to
>> working just fine.
>> b.. [S]ince installing WPA : I've had blue screens and a total inability
>> to boot. I had to run the XP repair function to get the computer to boot.
>> I
>> had a damaged boot sector on the hard drive. I am running two drives on a
>> RAID 1 config.
>> c.. I purchased a SEALED OEM copy of XP Professional. WGA said the
>> license
>> key was already used. I called MS and they said I should uninstall and
>> buy
>> another copy. I told them I wasn't made of money and hung-up.
>> d.. Microsoft rejected the product key that came with the ThinkPad I'm
>> using. I had to call in and they gave me another code to enter which
>> supposedly worked but now I get the blue screen of death about every
>> other
>> time I reboot. I've also lost all internet connectivity.
>> e.. I sent my Compaq Presario notebook for service repair, and it fails
>> the WGA check. I have a legal version of windows xp professional on it.
>> But
>> I have no way to correct this problem.
>> What's most disturbing about this whole saga is Microsoft's complete lack
>> of
>> transparency on the issue. And before the ABM crowd jumps in with
>> predictable "What did you expect?" comments, let me argue that Microsoft
>> actually has a fairly good track record on transparency issues in recent
>> years. Windows Product Activation is very well documented, and when a
>> similar uproar occurred in 2001, it was squelched quickly by some fairly
>> prominent postings from high-level executives who provided details
>> without a
>> lot of spin. Likewise, the Microsoft Security Response Center has done an
>> exceptional job at providing quick responses to security issues. (Just
>> ask
>> Adam Shostack.)
>>
>> Currently, no one at Microsoft is blogging about this fiasco. No
>> executive
>> has been quoted on the record about it. There are very few technical
>> details
>> available, and those that have been published are being tumbled through
>> the
>> spin machine and spit out as press releases.
>>
>> If Microsoft really does plan to turn WGA into a kill switch in
>> September,
>> be prepared for an enormous backlash."
>>
>> From Ed Bott on October 5, 2006:
>>
>> UAC Good; SPP Not So Good
>> http://www.edbott.com/weblog/
>>
>> "SPP, on the other hand, is the successor to Windows Genuine Advantage.
>> Both
>> initiatives have in common a reliance on Orwellian language that appears
>> to
>> be in the customer's benefit but is actually a horrible inconvenience and
>> potentially a nightmare. Despite Microsoft's attempts to spin the new
>> program, there's no advantage for the Windows customer, and the only
>> thing
>> being protected is Microsoft's revenue stream."
>>
>> Microsoft Issues Warning to VLK Customers Over WGA Fail
>> http://www.neowin.net/index.php?act=view&id=35401
>>
>> Guess there will be a WGA "Kill Switch After All"
>> Published October 4, 2006 by Ed Bott
>> http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=1495
>>
>> Is Microsoft about to release a Windows "kill switch"?
>> http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=84
>>
>> Search on WGA
>> http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/
>>
>> October 4, 2006 For Vista, WGA gets Tougher
>> http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=148
>>
>> Ed Bott Blog Readers Burned by WGA
>> http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=1370#comments
>>
>> WGA is a Mess
>> http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=1476
>>
>> Microsoft Kill Switch in Windows Vista and threat to disable Windows (the
>> so-called Microsoft Software Protection Platform)
>> http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=84
>>
>> Microsoft's Software Protection Platform: Protecting Software and
>> Customers
>> from Counterfeiters
>> http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/f...rotection.mspx
>>
>> Microsoft's Software Protection Platform: Protecting Software and
>> Customers from Counterfeiters
>> http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/f...rotection.mspx
>>
>> White Paper: Software Protection Platform: Innovations for Windows Vista
>> and Windows Server "Longhorn" Oct. 2006 (.doc file, 2.7 MB)
>> http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/f...rotection.mspx
>>
>> Microsoft Issues Warning to VLK Customers Over WGA Fail
>> http://www.neowin.net/index.php?act=view&id=35401
>>
>> Phil Liu of Microsoft has reported problems with the Windows Genuine
>> Advantage authentication method for Volume License Key (VLK) customers
>> and a temporary work-around.
>>
>> "Just a heads up on an issue related to (Volume) VLK validation. On
>> Monday and Tuesday of this week (Oct 2-3), some VLK customers may have
>> experienced problems with WGA validation. If a Windows XP system with a
>> VLK recently began failing validation or reporting as non-genuine, then
>> they may experiencing this problem. The problem was the result of an
>> issue on the Microsoft server side, and we are still investigating the
>> cause. We regret any inconvenience this may have caused you, and I am
>> personally working to get the information you need to resolve this issue.
>>
>> We do have steps available that affected customers can take to correct
>> the problem, and we'll continue to work on solutions and post them on
>> this forum."
>>
>> Customers who are affected can:
>> 1.. Delete the data.dat file from Cocuments and SettingsAll
>> UsersApplication DataWindows Genuine Advantagedata (The drive letter will
>> depend on where the OS was installed)
>> 2.. Revisit http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/dow.../validate.aspx to
>> confirm that the machine is now genuine.
>> 3.. Run wgatray.exe /b from the command line to ensure that the latest
>> validation is updated for WGA Notifications. This command may not be
>> present on the user's machine and should not be considered an error if it
>> is not. Please ensure that this is run as an Administrator. A reboot may
>> be required to remove all non-genuine notifications."
>> CH
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>

Sam--

Where were you when the sixth grade happened?

CH


"SAM-R" <SAM-R@news.postalias> wrote in message
news:A58F9937-15AE-4F77-A028-FE7FEF6E3A71@microsoft.com...
> And the reason you understand this is because you must be insane.
> "Chad Harris" <Vista RTM is really Beta 1.net> wrote in message
> news:OPttOLk6GHA.4708@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>> The problem is not that MSFT is addressing piracy with a legal staff
>> dedicated to it full time under the direction of Nancy Anderson,
>> Associate General Counsel.
>>
>> Of course MSFT faces a huge, sprawling piracy problem as evidenced by the
>> maps and literature they hve circulated at their meetings from booths
>> attended by their attorneys and other employees over the years. It is
>> complicated by the fact that many governments don't cooperate fully, and
>> there is a similar situation in India in respect to patents for
>> pharmaceuticals and in medicine in general in respect to HIV and the
>> Avian Flu pandemic and Mr. Gates is building on his learning curve in
>> this area right now.
>>
>> Microsoft and its partners and its system builders certainly have crucial
>> concerns over the systemic implications of piracy.
>>
>> The problem is that MFST is choosing to address piracy in an erratic
>> fashion that has already shown substantial evidence of inflicting massive
>> collateral damage and friendly fire on their customers. I hope that if
>> they don't change this concept that has already proved to cause
>> significant problems with WGA in its new incranation as SPP, that they
>> are forced to back off the way they usually are-- they face money loss.
>> If they had been able to make precise surgical tools, that would be one
>> thing. But they already know that they are killing Vista and Longhorn
>> Server on boxes that have fully legitimate licenses and they don't seem
>> to care. This is evidenced if you read Ed Bott's account of how stupidly
>> they fielded the calls and messages from a major Windows author, expert,
>> and writer of columns on Microsoft's site.
>>
>> I don't have any doubt there will be substantial litigation and possibly
>> class action suits for Nancy Anderson's legal team at Microsoft, and
>> while many suits are baseless--these will not be and they will be filed
>> by high quality legal talent.
>>
>> Ed Bott is doing a stellar job of tracking this, analyzing, and
>> critiquing this and Ed Bott co-authors one of the most complete and
>> authoritative Windows references for every operating system including the
>> one that has pre-sold nearly a million copies, "Windows Vista Inside Out"
>> by Microsoft Press
>> http://www.microsoft.com/MSPress/books/9361.asp
>>
>> Ed Bott's Bookstore
>> http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?page_id=993
>>
>> Ed Bott's Three Blogs
>>
>> Ed Bott's Microsoft Report
>> http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/
>>
>> Ed Bott's Windows Expertise/Tips, tricks, news, and advice about Windows
>> and Office
>> http://www.edbott.com/weblog/
>>
>> Ed Bott's Media Central
>> http://www.edbott.com/mediacenter/index.php
>>
>> Ed Bott's Columns on MSFT's Site
>> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/e...erts/bott.mspx
>>
>> The author of one of the major books on Windows OS's and numerous
>> articles for MSFT over the year Ed Bott has taken MSFT to task for their
>> sloppy work with WGA repeatedly in the last few months and the same
>> sloppy
>> work with SPP and MSFT has had totally ignorant spokes persons speak to
>> different questioners that are quoted on Ed's two blogs currently with
>> the
>> most inane and no knowledgable defenses of WGA which does not work
>> correctly
>> and SPP which will not work correctly immaginable. They are making a
>> fool
>> of themselves with the implemenation of WGA and SPP and they are going to
>> learn to back off when it hits them in the area they worship--their
>> money.
>>
>> See and note in these articles the inane responses of MSFT
>> representatives
>> to the author of one of the best selling major books on their major
>> Operating System software and others--one more example of MSFT's
>> perception
>> of the public as stupid and their tin ear contempt for the public who are
>> their customers and put Windows on 97% of the boxes on the planet.
>>
>> I want people to note this conversation because it speaks volumes about
>> MSFT's inane contracted support and MSFT's oversight of it and MSFT's
>> attitude as to how little it means when they represent themselves to
>> their
>> customers--this is a conversation that Ed Bott had with "MSFT PSS"
>> probably
>> Convergys of Ohio contracting:
>>
>> From Ed Bott at http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=84
>>
>> "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]
>>
>> I'm wondering if Microsoft has the right to disable Windows functionality
>> or
>> the OS as a whole (tantamount to revoking my legitimate Windows license)
>> if
>> I do not install every piece of software that they send it updates.
>>
>> That can't be true, can it? I'm always suspicious of any report that
>> comes
>> from a front-line tech support drone, so I sent a note to Microsoft
>> asking
>> for an official confirmation or, better yet, a denial. Instead, I got
>> this
>> terse response from a Microsoft spokesperson:
>>
>> As we have mentioned previously, as the WGA Notifications program
>> expands
>> in the future, customers may be required to participate. [emphasis added]
>> Microsoft is gathering feedback in select markets to learn how it can
>> best
>> meet its customers' needs and will keep customers informed of any changes
>> to
>> the program.
>>
>> That's it. That's the entire response.
>>
>> Uh-oh. Currently, Windows users have the ability to opt out of the
>> Windows
>> Genuine Advantage program and still get security patches and other
>> Critical
>> Updates delivered via Windows Update. The only thing you give up is the
>> ability to download optional updates. Hackers have been working overtime
>> to
>> find ways to disable WGA notification. If WGA becomes mandatory, would it
>> mean that Microsoft could prevent Windows from working if it determines -
>> possibly erroneously - that your copy isn't "genuine"? That's a chilling
>> possibility, and Microsoft refuses an easy opportunity to deny that that
>> option is in its plans.
>>
>> Over at Ed Bott's Windows Expertise, I've been soliciting feedback from
>> Windows users who've been burned by WGA. So far, I've received 20
>> comments.
>>
>> Here's a sampling:
>>
>> a.. I have an XP Media center with a promise RAID 0 4-disc array. When I
>> installed the WPA it broke the drivers for the array by causing failed
>> delayed writes (half of the array just "disapears".) If I do a system
>> restore to before the installation of the WPA everything goes back to
>> working just fine.
>> b.. [S]ince installing WPA : I've had blue screens and a total inability
>> to boot. I had to run the XP repair function to get the computer to boot.
>> I
>> had a damaged boot sector on the hard drive. I am running two drives on a
>> RAID 1 config.
>> c.. I purchased a SEALED OEM copy of XP Professional. WGA said the
>> license
>> key was already used. I called MS and they said I should uninstall and
>> buy
>> another copy. I told them I wasn't made of money and hung-up.
>> d.. Microsoft rejected the product key that came with the ThinkPad I'm
>> using. I had to call in and they gave me another code to enter which
>> supposedly worked but now I get the blue screen of death about every
>> other
>> time I reboot. I've also lost all internet connectivity.
>> e.. I sent my Compaq Presario notebook for service repair, and it fails
>> the WGA check. I have a legal version of windows xp professional on it.
>> But
>> I have no way to correct this problem.
>> What's most disturbing about this whole saga is Microsoft's complete lack
>> of
>> transparency on the issue. And before the ABM crowd jumps in with
>> predictable "What did you expect?" comments, let me argue that Microsoft
>> actually has a fairly good track record on transparency issues in recent
>> years. Windows Product Activation is very well documented, and when a
>> similar uproar occurred in 2001, it was squelched quickly by some fairly
>> prominent postings from high-level executives who provided details
>> without a
>> lot of spin. Likewise, the Microsoft Security Response Center has done an
>> exceptional job at providing quick responses to security issues. (Just
>> ask
>> Adam Shostack.)
>>
>> Currently, no one at Microsoft is blogging about this fiasco. No
>> executive
>> has been quoted on the record about it. There are very few technical
>> details
>> available, and those that have been published are being tumbled through
>> the
>> spin machine and spit out as press releases.
>>
>> If Microsoft really does plan to turn WGA into a kill switch in
>> September,
>> be prepared for an enormous backlash."
>>
>> From Ed Bott on October 5, 2006:
>>
>> UAC Good; SPP Not So Good
>> http://www.edbott.com/weblog/
>>
>> "SPP, on the other hand, is the successor to Windows Genuine Advantage.
>> Both
>> initiatives have in common a reliance on Orwellian language that appears
>> to
>> be in the customer's benefit but is actually a horrible inconvenience and
>> potentially a nightmare. Despite Microsoft's attempts to spin the new
>> program, there's no advantage for the Windows customer, and the only
>> thing
>> being protected is Microsoft's revenue stream."
>>
>> Microsoft Issues Warning to VLK Customers Over WGA Fail
>> http://www.neowin.net/index.php?act=view&id=35401
>>
>> Guess there will be a WGA "Kill Switch After All"
>> Published October 4, 2006 by Ed Bott
>> http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=1495
>>
>> Is Microsoft about to release a Windows "kill switch"?
>> http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=84
>>
>> Search on WGA
>> http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/
>>
>> October 4, 2006 For Vista, WGA gets Tougher
>> http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=148
>>
>> Ed Bott Blog Readers Burned by WGA
>> http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=1370#comments
>>
>> WGA is a Mess
>> http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=1476
>>
>> Microsoft Kill Switch in Windows Vista and threat to disable Windows (the
>> so-called Microsoft Software Protection Platform)
>> http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=84
>>
>> Microsoft's Software Protection Platform: Protecting Software and
>> Customers
>> from Counterfeiters
>> http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/f...rotection.mspx
>>
>> Microsoft's Software Protection Platform: Protecting Software and
>> Customers from Counterfeiters
>> http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/f...rotection.mspx
>>
>> White Paper: Software Protection Platform: Innovations for Windows Vista
>> and Windows Server "Longhorn" Oct. 2006 (.doc file, 2.7 MB)
>> http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/f...rotection.mspx
>>
>> Microsoft Issues Warning to VLK Customers Over WGA Fail
>> http://www.neowin.net/index.php?act=view&id=35401
>>
>> Phil Liu of Microsoft has reported problems with the Windows Genuine
>> Advantage authentication method for Volume License Key (VLK) customers
>> and a temporary work-around.
>>
>> "Just a heads up on an issue related to (Volume) VLK validation. On
>> Monday and Tuesday of this week (Oct 2-3), some VLK customers may have
>> experienced problems with WGA validation. If a Windows XP system with a
>> VLK recently began failing validation or reporting as non-genuine, then
>> they may experiencing this problem. The problem was the result of an
>> issue on the Microsoft server side, and we are still investigating the
>> cause. We regret any inconvenience this may have caused you, and I am
>> personally working to get the information you need to resolve this issue.
>>
>> We do have steps available that affected customers can take to correct
>> the problem, and we'll continue to work on solutions and post them on
>> this forum."
>>
>> Customers who are affected can:
>> 1.. Delete the data.dat file from Cocuments and SettingsAll
>> UsersApplication DataWindows Genuine Advantagedata (The drive letter will
>> depend on where the OS was installed)
>> 2.. Revisit http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/dow.../validate.aspx to
>> confirm that the machine is now genuine.
>> 3.. Run wgatray.exe /b from the command line to ensure that the latest
>> validation is updated for WGA Notifications. This command may not be
>> present on the user's machine and should not be considered an error if it
>> is not. Please ensure that this is run as an Administrator. A reboot may
>> be required to remove all non-genuine notifications."
>> CH
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>

What does your rants on this forum have to do with helping people with
problems with 5744?
"Chad Harris" <Vista RTM is really Beta 1.net> wrote in message
news:OPttOLk6GHA.4708@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> The problem is not that MSFT is addressing piracy with a legal staff
> dedicated to it full time under the direction of Nancy Anderson, Associate
> General Counsel.
>
> Of course MSFT faces a huge, sprawling piracy problem as evidenced by the
> maps and literature they hve circulated at their meetings from booths
> attended by their attorneys and other employees over the years. It is
> complicated by the fact that many governments don't cooperate fully, and
> there is a similar situation in India in respect to patents for
> pharmaceuticals and in medicine in general in respect to HIV and the Avian
> Flu pandemic and Mr. Gates is building on his learning curve in this area
> right now.
>
> Microsoft and its partners and its system builders certainly have crucial
> concerns over the systemic implications of piracy.
>
> The problem is that MFST is choosing to address piracy in an erratic
> fashion that has already shown substantial evidence of inflicting massive
> collateral damage and friendly fire on their customers. I hope that if
> they don't change this concept that has already proved to cause
> significant problems with WGA in its new incranation as SPP, that they are
> forced to back off the way they usually are-- they face money loss. If
> they had been able to make precise surgical tools, that would be one
> thing. But they already know that they are killing Vista and Longhorn
> Server on boxes that have fully legitimate licenses and they don't seem to
> care. This is evidenced if you read Ed Bott's account of how stupidly
> they fielded the calls and messages from a major Windows author, expert,
> and writer of columns on Microsoft's site.
>
> I don't have any doubt there will be substantial litigation and possibly
> class action suits for Nancy Anderson's legal team at Microsoft, and while
> many suits are baseless--these will not be and they will be filed by high
> quality legal talent.
>
> Ed Bott is doing a stellar job of tracking this, analyzing, and critiquing
> this and Ed Bott co-authors one of the most complete and authoritative
> Windows references for every operating system including the one that has
> pre-sold nearly a million copies, "Windows Vista Inside Out" by Microsoft
> Press
> http://www.microsoft.com/MSPress/books/9361.asp
>
> Ed Bott's Bookstore
> http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?page_id=993
>
> Ed Bott's Three Blogs
>
> Ed Bott's Microsoft Report
> http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/
>
> Ed Bott's Windows Expertise/Tips, tricks, news, and advice about Windows
> and Office
> http://www.edbott.com/weblog/
>
> Ed Bott's Media Central
> http://www.edbott.com/mediacenter/index.php
>
> Ed Bott's Columns on MSFT's Site
> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/e...erts/bott.mspx
>
> The author of one of the major books on Windows OS's and numerous
> articles for MSFT over the year Ed Bott has taken MSFT to task for their
> sloppy work with WGA repeatedly in the last few months and the same sloppy
> work with SPP and MSFT has had totally ignorant spokes persons speak to
> different questioners that are quoted on Ed's two blogs currently with the
> most inane and no knowledgable defenses of WGA which does not work
> correctly
> and SPP which will not work correctly immaginable. They are making a fool
> of themselves with the implemenation of WGA and SPP and they are going to
> learn to back off when it hits them in the area they worship--their money.
>
> See and note in these articles the inane responses of MSFT
> representatives
> to the author of one of the best selling major books on their major
> Operating System software and others--one more example of MSFT's
> perception
> of the public as stupid and their tin ear contempt for the public who are
> their customers and put Windows on 97% of the boxes on the planet.
>
> I want people to note this conversation because it speaks volumes about
> MSFT's inane contracted support and MSFT's oversight of it and MSFT's
> attitude as to how little it means when they represent themselves to their
> customers--this is a conversation that Ed Bott had with "MSFT PSS"
> probably
> Convergys of Ohio contracting:
>
> From Ed Bott at http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=84
>
> "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]
>
> I'm wondering if Microsoft has the right to disable Windows functionality
> or
> the OS as a whole (tantamount to revoking my legitimate Windows license)
> if
> I do not install every piece of software that they send it updates.
>
> That can't be true, can it? I'm always suspicious of any report that comes
> from a front-line tech support drone, so I sent a note to Microsoft asking
> for an official confirmation or, better yet, a denial. Instead, I got this
> terse response from a Microsoft spokesperson:
>
> As we have mentioned previously, as the WGA Notifications program expands
> in the future, customers may be required to participate. [emphasis added]
> Microsoft is gathering feedback in select markets to learn how it can best
> meet its customers' needs and will keep customers informed of any changes
> to
> the program.
>
> That's it. That's the entire response.
>
> Uh-oh. Currently, Windows users have the ability to opt out of the Windows
> Genuine Advantage program and still get security patches and other
> Critical
> Updates delivered via Windows Update. The only thing you give up is the
> ability to download optional updates. Hackers have been working overtime
> to
> find ways to disable WGA notification. If WGA becomes mandatory, would it
> mean that Microsoft could prevent Windows from working if it determines -
> possibly erroneously - that your copy isn't "genuine"? That's a chilling
> possibility, and Microsoft refuses an easy opportunity to deny that that
> option is in its plans.
>
> Over at Ed Bott's Windows Expertise, I've been soliciting feedback from
> Windows users who've been burned by WGA. So far, I've received 20
> comments.
>
> Here's a sampling:
>
> a.. I have an XP Media center with a promise RAID 0 4-disc array. When I
> installed the WPA it broke the drivers for the array by causing failed
> delayed writes (half of the array just "disapears".) If I do a system
> restore to before the installation of the WPA everything goes back to
> working just fine.
> b.. [S]ince installing WPA : I've had blue screens and a total inability
> to boot. I had to run the XP repair function to get the computer to boot.
> I
> had a damaged boot sector on the hard drive. I am running two drives on a
> RAID 1 config.
> c.. I purchased a SEALED OEM copy of XP Professional. WGA said the
> license
> key was already used. I called MS and they said I should uninstall and buy
> another copy. I told them I wasn't made of money and hung-up.
> d.. Microsoft rejected the product key that came with the ThinkPad I'm
> using. I had to call in and they gave me another code to enter which
> supposedly worked but now I get the blue screen of death about every other
> time I reboot. I've also lost all internet connectivity.
> e.. I sent my Compaq Presario notebook for service repair, and it fails
> the WGA check. I have a legal version of windows xp professional on it.
> But
> I have no way to correct this problem.
> What's most disturbing about this whole saga is Microsoft's complete lack
> of
> transparency on the issue. And before the ABM crowd jumps in with
> predictable "What did you expect?" comments, let me argue that Microsoft
> actually has a fairly good track record on transparency issues in recent
> years. Windows Product Activation is very well documented, and when a
> similar uproar occurred in 2001, it was squelched quickly by some fairly
> prominent postings from high-level executives who provided details without
> a
> lot of spin. Likewise, the Microsoft Security Response Center has done an
> exceptional job at providing quick responses to security issues. (Just ask
> Adam Shostack.)
>
> Currently, no one at Microsoft is blogging about this fiasco. No executive
> has been quoted on the record about it. There are very few technical
> details
> available, and those that have been published are being tumbled through
> the
> spin machine and spit out as press releases.
>
> If Microsoft really does plan to turn WGA into a kill switch in September,
> be prepared for an enormous backlash."
>
> From Ed Bott on October 5, 2006:
>
> UAC Good; SPP Not So Good
> http://www.edbott.com/weblog/
>
> "SPP, on the other hand, is the successor to Windows Genuine Advantage.
> Both
> initiatives have in common a reliance on Orwellian language that appears
> to
> be in the customer's benefit but is actually a horrible inconvenience and
> potentially a nightmare. Despite Microsoft's attempts to spin the new
> program, there's no advantage for the Windows customer, and the only thing
> being protected is Microsoft's revenue stream."
>
> Microsoft Issues Warning to VLK Customers Over WGA Fail
> http://www.neowin.net/index.php?act=view&id=35401
>
> Guess there will be a WGA "Kill Switch After All"
> Published October 4, 2006 by Ed Bott
> http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=1495
>
> Is Microsoft about to release a Windows "kill switch"?
> http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=84
>
> Search on WGA
> http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/
>
> October 4, 2006 For Vista, WGA gets Tougher
> http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=148
>
> Ed Bott Blog Readers Burned by WGA
> http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=1370#comments
>
> WGA is a Mess
> http://www.edbott.com/weblog/?p=1476
>
> Microsoft Kill Switch in Windows Vista and threat to disable Windows (the
> so-called Microsoft Software Protection Platform)
> http://blogs.zdnet.com/Bott/?p=84
>
> Microsoft's Software Protection Platform: Protecting Software and
> Customers
> from Counterfeiters
> http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/f...rotection.mspx
>
> Microsoft's Software Protection Platform: Protecting Software and
> Customers from Counterfeiters
> http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/f...rotection.mspx
>
> White Paper: Software Protection Platform: Innovations for Windows Vista
> and Windows Server "Longhorn" Oct. 2006 (.doc file, 2.7 MB)
> http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/f...rotection.mspx
>
> Microsoft Issues Warning to VLK Customers Over WGA Fail
> http://www.neowin.net/index.php?act=view&id=35401
>
> Phil Liu of Microsoft has reported problems with the Windows Genuine
> Advantage authentication method for Volume License Key (VLK) customers and
> a temporary work-around.
>
> "Just a heads up on an issue related to (Volume) VLK validation. On Monday
> and Tuesday of this week (Oct 2-3), some VLK customers may have
> experienced problems with WGA validation. If a Windows XP system with a
> VLK recently began failing validation or reporting as non-genuine, then
> they may experiencing this problem. The problem was the result of an issue
> on the Microsoft server side, and we are still investigating the cause. We
> regret any inconvenience this may have caused you, and I am personally
> working to get the information you need to resolve this issue.
>
> We do have steps available that affected customers can take to correct the
> problem, and we'll continue to work on solutions and post them on this
> forum."
>
> Customers who are affected can:
> 1.. Delete the data.dat file from Cocuments and SettingsAll
> UsersApplication DataWindows Genuine Advantagedata (The drive letter will
> depend on where the OS was installed)
> 2.. Revisit http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/dow.../validate.aspx to
> confirm that the machine is now genuine.
> 3.. Run wgatray.exe /b from the command line to ensure that the latest
> validation is updated for WGA Notifications. This command may not be
> present on the user's machine and should not be considered an error if it
> is not. Please ensure that this is run as an Administrator. A reboot may
> be required to remove all non-genuine notifications."
> CH
>
>
>
>
>

"Chad Harris" <Vista RTM is really Beta 1.net> wrote in
news:OPttOLk6GHA.4708@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl:

> The problem is not that MSFT is addressing piracy with a legal
> staff dedicated to it full time under the direction of Nancy
> Anderson, Associate General Counsel.
>
> Of course MSFT faces a huge, sprawling piracy problem as evidenced
> by the maps and literature they hve circulated at their meetings
> from booths attended by their attorneys and other employees over
> the years. It is complicated by the fact that many governments
> don't cooperate fully, and there is a similar situation in India
> in respect to patents for pharmaceuticals and in medicine in
> general in respect to HIV and the Avian Flu pandemic and Mr. Gates
> is building on his learning curve in this area right now.

Excellent article! It shall be referenced in my blog!

Adam
--
Visit my PC Tech blog at www.leinss.com/blog

Ahh Chad,

Ruffling the feathers again!! LOL

Jeff

"Adam Leinss" <aleinss@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:Xns9855A31C3BB05aleinsstechie@toughguy.net...
> "Chad Harris" <Vista RTM is really Beta 1.net> wrote in
> news:OPttOLk6GHA.4708@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl:
>
>> The problem is not that MSFT is addressing piracy with a legal
>> staff dedicated to it full time under the direction of Nancy
>> Anderson, Associate General Counsel.
>>
>> Of course MSFT faces a huge, sprawling piracy problem as evidenced
>> by the maps and literature they hve circulated at their meetings
>> from booths attended by their attorneys and other employees over
>> the years. It is complicated by the fact that many governments
>> don't cooperate fully, and there is a similar situation in India
>> in respect to patents for pharmaceuticals and in medicine in
>> general in respect to HIV and the Avian Flu pandemic and Mr. Gates
>> is building on his learning curve in this area right now.
>
> Excellent article! It shall be referenced in my blog!
>
> Adam
> --
> Visit my PC Tech blog at www.leinss.com/blog

"Chad Harris" <Vista RTM is really Beta 1.net> wrote in message
news:OPttOLk6GHA.4708@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> The problem is not that MSFT is addressing piracy with a legal staff
> dedicated to it full time under the direction of Nancy Anderson, Associate
> General Counsel.

Yeah yeah yeah. We've heard *all* of this before. I remember when XP's
"draconian anti-piracy measures" (activation) was going to be the downfall
of Microsoft.

Get over it. Get used to it.

Mike

"Mike" <no@where.man> wrote in message
news:5DF2D5DD-56B7-463B-9062-001C3C8B507E@microsoft.com...
> "Chad Harris" <Vista RTM is really Beta 1.net> wrote in message
> news:OPttOLk6GHA.4708@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>> The problem is not that MSFT is addressing piracy with a legal staff dedicated to it full
>> time under the direction of Nancy Anderson, Associate General Counsel.
>
> Yeah yeah yeah. We've heard *all* of this before. I remember when XP's "draconian
> anti-piracy measures" (activation) was going to be the downfall of Microsoft.

> Get over it. Get used to it.

Just go ahead and bend over, grab your
ankles- squeal like the loyal pig Microsoft
so loves.

You'd make an excellent Washington Page.


-Michael