News - Vista Lockdown,Vista Upgrade Coupon Stocking Stuffers, Security Vendors Criticize Microsoft Secrecy

[Scott Bellefeuille]

Microsoft Vista Lockdown: "We will let you use your browser for periods of up to an hour before we log you off."

Studies claim software piracy costs around $34 billion annually. That's not chump change, but microsoft might risk alienating legitamte users with the draconian anti piracy measures it plans to implement in Vista. Vista will need to be activated with a legitimate product registration key within a set period or it will basically lock the user out of the computer. Thomas Lindeman, a senior Microsoft product manager, described the lock out as simmply that the the system will run in "reduced functionality mode" which will only allow the user access to the browser on the system and then for only up to an hour after which time the user will be locked out. "In reduced functionality mode, we will let you use your browser for periods of up to an hour before we log you off," Lindeman said. Microsoft says most users won't ever encounter the activation process because systems will be activated by OEMs before they ever reach consumers, but most of the Windows users I know have had to reinstall there OS at least once during the life of their PC. The new technology is part of Microsoft's  new "Software Protection Platform" and will eventually find its way into all other Micrsoft Software.

 

Vista Upgrade Coupon Stocking Stuffers

If you can't wait to dive into the activisation process described above, Microsoft will be offering coupons to upgrade to Vista for purchasers of XP later this month. In an effort to drive PC sales through the holidays and reduce the chance of a slow down as users await Vista, Microsoft will be offering coupons that range from discounts to free Vista upgrades. Before you run out and by a PC though, make sure you read the fine print.Customers who buy PCs equipped with Windows XP Pro, Windows XP Pro Tablet PC Edition and Windows XP Pro x64 Edition will be entitled to a free upgrade to Vista, however customers that buy Windows XP Home Edition will have to pay $49 to upgrade to Vista Home Basic Edition. Also OEMs will have to meet certain requirements to sell the upgradeable version of Windows XP. For example, only systems that meet Windows Vista requirements will be eligible for the Upgrade. The program starts Ocotber 26th and will run through March 15th, 2007.

 

Security Vendors Criticize Microsoft Secrecy

Since we're on a roll with Microsoft news today, we'll wrap up our news brief with one last related story. Vendors of security software, such as Symantec, are criticising Microsoft for not allowing them access the the Vista kernel. The vendors complain that without access it will be impossible for them to offer products that can enhance and expand on the security features built into Windows Vista. They claim prevention and protection will become reactive rather than proactive as it is now. Security vendors have described Microsoft's approach as "an old, outdated mode of security, geared for threats from three or four years ago". Security software firm McAfee went so far as to take out a full page add in this week's Financial Times urging Microsoft to give them access to the kernel. Microsoft responded with a generic statement, "Partners are at the core of Microsoft's business model. We have worked closely with our security partners throughout the development of Windows Vista, and continue to do so" that offers little insight as to what their ultimate position on the matter will be.

[kaleph]

What about notebooks coming with xp media center? Any idea if they get the free coupon or just a discount?

[pinky]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows...Center_Edition
...Media Center is based on Windows XP Professional,...

so i THINK it'll be free, but actually i absolutely dunno, just an assumption

[P8RSON]

Well, I'm against piracy, no matter at what level but if Microsoft think imposing such a draconian level to keep it's shareholders and Bill Gates happy, they have truely lost the plot.

What MS should do is reduce the prices of ALL it's items and I don't mean by 10% either, this would help to ease combat piracy.

Sure, you are always going to get piracy being a target to catch up on but reducing prices would help sales in the long run.

Take daily shopping as an example; a supermarket may only make 5% profit on one tin of beans against a corner shop making 20%.
However, with the supermarket selling hundreds more than the corner shop, the supermarket comes out on trumps every time.
It's a proven shopping policy and it works.

Again, you are always going to find an element who want to steal the tins from the supermarket but these can be lost or soaked up through other business initiatives or practices.

So sorry MS.... you do this and I'm more towards finding an answer with Linux.

[Anonymouse]

I can see both sides of this issue. In theory I am anti piracy, and anything MS can do to counter it is welcomed. Unfortunately I've been on the recieving end of unintentional "piracy" controls, like when Windows Genuine Advantage first came out, for some reason my key wasn't recognized at first, and so I spent a couple weeks with that annoying little popup, and the inability to connect to MS Updates. What MS first has to do is come up with a quick, easy way to confirm validity of the software, and make sure there aren't any false negative checks.

As for MS dropping costs, that is unlikely, as they virtually have a monopoly on OS software (Macs certainly aren't cheaper, and you won't find most people/businesses willing to switch to the more complicated Linux). The demand for their software is going to be relatively constant, so even if they drop prices they won't likely gain an increase in customer base. You might get the people that will buy the software for $50 instead of pirating it when it was $100, but those cases are going to be much smaller than the people who are going to already be spending the $100 on new software, resulting in an overall loss of profit.

[everythingblogcast]

I totally agree with you Mike, if Microsoft cuts they prices more and more people will buy the software instead of downloading it illegally. I am not saying that Microsoft should cut it prices and not do the Education software anymore. Lower the price of the Education software too.

And is it totally unfair that people who buy any laptop or Tablet PC from 26th October they get a free upgrade to Vista. What about anyone who bought a laptop or Tablet PC this year as in January 2006 onwares.

But I had Vista Beta 2 and RC1 installed on a Virtual machine and it is much better to stick with XP for a good year or two to wait until Vista is more stable (if you know what I mean). But if anyone from Microsoft Windows Vista team are reading these forums then I wouldnt mind to getting a copy of Windows Vista Ultimate Edition off Microsoft.

[Anonymouse]

Originally Posted by everythingblogcast

But I had Vista Beta 2 and RC1 installed on a Virtual machine and it is much better to stick with XP for a good year or two to wait until Vista is more stable (if you know what I mean).

If you get a coupon for a free upgrade, wouldn't that be like having your cake and eating it too? Since if Vista really isn't stable, you could still use your XP until you decide to actually do the upgrade, right? That's basically all I'm waiting for right now, since I don't particularly want to fork over a couple hundred bucks if I can get it for free, but also don't want to get stuck with Vista if it does turn out to be an unstable POS (or even just too memory intensive for whatever tablet I wind up buying)

[everythingblogcast]

I had a simiply problem as Anonymouse I bought Microsoft Windows XP Professional OEM off ebay and it came with a real COA. It worked for a few months then it wouldnt do the Windows Update so I contacted Microsoft and compained about it. Was talking to the rep and she said that I would get a new product key but I had to send all the details off to the piracy office of Microsoft then a few weeks later I got a letter saying that I was not getting a new product key so I emailed the rep I was speaking to a said that I was very disappointed in it and scanned the letter and send it to her. Then I got a phone call stating that they were sorry about the problem and that she would place a order for me. So everything worked out for me.

People should think buy the price of the software and not illegal download making the rest of us pay for them to have the software. But they will be fined and sued but Microsoft. Slap it into them.

Its great being a student because you can get the Education software for about 50%+ off the retail price. So the point is jion a full time course and get software cheaper then you would noramally.(If you know what I mean).

And Anonymouse as you stated you can get the free code and not install it until the service packs are out.

[Bonnet]

I can see why they would want to do something like this, but every time you have stipulations like these, it always affects the good people. There are going to be many frustrated valid users when things go wrong. I hope they will be able to justify putting these restrictions on there.