Computer Talk

Re: Many Chinese internet users are angry about Microsoft's blackout scheme..

Let's discuss the issue this way: Try to put ourselves into a neutral position and find out if Microsoft gains anything for doing so.

I think Microsoft did a wrong decision:

1. OS users are seperated into two groups: those who will buy a licensed and those will never buy one. No matter what Microsoft do, the second group of users will never buy a licensed (for whatever reason).

2. To prevent being blackout you just don't download/install the Windows Genuine Advantage Control or simply disable auto update. Hey, if you know your copy is un-licensed, do you still install that thing? It's a little bit funny for me.

3. Microsoft needs influence over the market. If Microsoft finally disable all un-licensed Windows, do they expect the second group of users be forced to buy a licensed? The answer is no. In stead, they will be forced to turn to another free OS, such as Linux or Solaris.

Hornestly, my Windows XP Professional SP3 isn't licensed neither. Back to the mid of Semptember I was warned that the screen will be blackout by the end of the month. A Microsoft agency in Phnom Penh tried to persuade me to purchase a license which costed around $350. I turned him down.

Back to a year or two ago, before update Windows XP to SP2 and some other features such as IE7 and Windows Media Player 11, etc... you need to verify your copy of Windows is genuine. Later on Microsoft gave up all these things, you can upgrade your Windows XP freely. I don't understand why Microsoft suddenly decide to blackout the screen of un-licensed users. I'd like to ask a question: How many percentage of the Windows in the whole world are licensed?

Re: Many Chinese internet users are angry about Microsoft's blackout scheme..

How many percentage of the Windows in the whole world are licensed?

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I known many people that have various forms of microsoft software and it all the reall deal. All you have to do is buy the liscened product.

I don't know. But I do know if you do have pirated software that's called theft, wether or not you are the person who orginaly pirated the software, and you have violated and service agreement that may have been included with that software. The company that has the right, IMO, to protect itself from theft and not suppourt stolen software. How hard is that to understand??

Why the hate? Microsoft is not obliged to provide updates and support to people who bootlegged their software. If you don't want the "black screen nag" on your bootlegged copy of Windows, simply disable automatic update.

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Exactly. I agree.

I don't understand why Microsoft suddenly decide to blackout the screen of un-licensed users.

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Read what the other members and myself has posted. Thank you.

Re: Many Chinese internet users are angry about Microsoft's blackout scheme..

How many percentage of the Windows in the whole world are licensed?

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A lot actually because of subsidized bundling. In other words, when you buy a PC or notebook, the licensed Windows comes with it. I would say that every PC notebook sold in the world comes with original Windows, unless its a Mac or Linux book. Even in China, there is a lot of bundling, e.g. Legend-Lenovo Computers, Dell, Acer, etc,.

Re: Many Chinese internet users are angry about Microsoft's blackout scheme..

bd popeye said:

I known many people that have various forms of microsoft software and it all the reall deal. All you have to do is buy the liscened product.

I don't know. But I do know if you do have pirated software that's called theft, wether or not you are the person who orginaly pirated the software, and you have violated and service agreement that may have been included with that software. The company that has the right, IMO, to protect itself from theft and not suppourt stolen software. How hard is that to understand??

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Well, I'd like emphasize that try to put ourselves neutral. I have two computers, and one of them has a licensed Windows. You see, I'm neutral .

To the laws, to pirate or consume pirated product in any form, you're theft and is guilty. But I'm talking about the fact rather than the law. Well, in the world there are a lot of facts that have cover the laws. Laws can't do that much things as people expect. If you have read how Bill Gate succeeded, you may find that he himself wasn't fully respect others' copyright neither. There was a joke, I'm not sure if you guys have read it, I'd try to make it short:

The joke said that Bill Gate died and he met God, God was happy and touched to see him and let him choose whether to go to the hell or paradise. He said he'd like see both places before making decision. So, God showed him to the paradise that was full of white clouds and angels, and then showed him to the hell that had beaches, sunshine and beautiful girls (???). He chose the hell, and God agreed. Sometime later God paid a visit to the hell, he saw Bill was suffering from all kind of pains. Bill complaint to God that there was no beach, no sunshine nor beautiful girls as God showed him at the first time. God opened his big eyes and told Bill "Don't you know that? it's screen saver!".

Microsoft Windows is not the best OS, it's slow, prone to error, and low security. But how come Microsoft's Windows have been so popular? As what I posted above, influency! To keep a reasonable amount of un-licensed users will make Microsoft earn more. But to force them to turn to another Operating System will a great loss to MS. The laws should force corporates to use licensed products (not only software). For individual, hehe... at some parts of the earth, you can't care too much about them.

A lot actually because of subsidized bundling. In other words, when you buy a PC or notebook, the licensed Windows comes with it. I would say that every PC notebook sold in the world comes with original Windows, unless its a Mac or Linux book. Even in China, there is a lot of bundling, e.g. Legend-Lenovo Computers, Dell, Acer, etc,.

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The same thing happens to small countries like Cambodia, when you buy a brand-name PC or laptop, the OS comes along with it. Unfortunely, you can't choose the OS over the PC you like. Many people (in Cambodia) buy a laptop with Windows Vista, then install an un-licensed Windows XP later. I don't like Windows Vista neither.

Crobato, you miss one thing. In order to fit the need of all kinds of users, PC suppliers also offer low end computers without a licensed OS. You see, those suppliers also expect the users to install un-licensed Windows, and they don't care. More than that, the cloned computers (computers that you buy the system case, main-board, monitor and other accessaries seperately) never come with an OS.

Re: Many Chinese internet users are angry about Microsoft's blackout scheme..

Microsoft has the right to fight piracy of its products. But Chinese government should also promote open source in China. Making open source programs a mandatory for all public schools and university and also government office is a good start. Establishing free training center for open source programs is also a good policy.

Re: Many Chinese internet users are angry about Microsoft's blackout scheme..

Microsoft Windows is not the best OS, it's slow, prone to error, and low security

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It is?? The microsoft products I use work fine. Allways have. No problem. Of course my computer is only 4 months old..My previuos computer worked fine until the last year or so, I just did not have enough memory.

What type of computer do you have??

He guys? what sort of computer do you have? do you like it? Do you want a new one? What operating system do you use??

I'll start it off I have a;

HP Compaq Presairo SR5450F. With 2GB RAM and 500GB HD. Love it!!. It does every thing but butter my bread. I have a 22"(55cm) LG monitor with a Lexmark printer/copier/fax etc..I have Windows Vista Home premuim as my operating system.

This is my fifth computer. I've been on line since 1999.

What about you guys??

Re: Many Chinese internet users are angry about Microsoft's blackout scheme..

I think that computer users have to accept what happens if they use pirated/cracked software. Companies won't develop software if no one pays for it, so really are they saying that some people should buy it and they should get it free? Sure I'm sympathetic towards those who like to trial something first, but if they never intend to buy it under any circumstances.....

Re: What type of computer do you have??

Custom-built. I forget now what the whole thing is, but there's a Dual Core CPU, 2 GB RAM and a Geforce 7000 series NVidia card in there (bought it because it's silent and makes the PC much quieter).

Still running Windows XP. No chance I'm going to use Vista until the price has come down further and more work has been done on the bugs.

Re: What type of computer do you have??

Mine is a custom job too. Built to just about the same specs as yours MrT, except mine has a transparent side wall that makes it so you can see all the parts on the inside and the fan has a bunch of cool little LED's that light up when it's on. Had it for about a year and couldn't be more happier with it. It will run any game desirable without any lag what so ever, and mine runs on Vista aswell. It also has a 20 inch flatscreen moniter and the speakers and keyboard are both Logitech and the moniter has little speakers in it too. The Logitechs have really good sound quality.