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Fuzzy Logic WGA anti-piracy mode for Vista softened thanks to Linux and OS X threat?
Fuzzy Logic WGA anti-piracy mode for Vista softened thanks to Linux and OS X threat? | WGA anti-piracy mode for Vista softened thanks to Linux and OS X threat? |
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| by Alex Zaharov-Reutt | |
| Tuesday, 04 December 2007 | |
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Page 2 of 3 Sievert continued that “This is a change in tactics from our current approach for Windows Vista, and it is based on great feedback from customers and partners”, and that “our new tactic, which takes effect with SP1 for Windows Vista and also will be part of Windows Server 2008, due out next year, is a proven and effective way to combat piracy. Customers want to know the status of their systems, and how to take action if it turns out they were victimized”. Featured Whitepaper
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However some users, whether they knowingly installed a pirate copy of Windows, or unwittingly purchased one, could take the opportunity to change to Linux or Mac OS X instead. Linux is constantly improving, with Ubuntu and the Linux-powered Asus Eee PC being two big hits with consumers today, while the Mac platform with its capability of running Windows natively or virtually alongside other operating systems continues attracting more customers than ever before. Now, Microsoft is clearly giving everyone plenty of advance notice of the impending changes. Hackers will no doubt look for ways to defeat Microsoft’s new anti-piracy measures, but generally this takes some time to achieve, and not everyone will be able to wait. Some will go legal, others will decide it’s time to switch to Linux or Mac OS X. There’s also the risk that Microsoft’s WGA system will malfunction as it has in the past, which Microsoft said caused ‘less than 12,000’ legitimate users to suffer notification that their copy of Windows was ‘non-genuine’. Should any kind of mishap occur, causing users to enter the new anti-piracy mode of Vista SP1, there will be a massive outcry, although at least Microsoft has now stopped virtually disabling people’s computers altogether, allowing consumers to continue using their PCs and software until their non-genuine status is rectified whereupon full Vista Home Premium functionality will be activated. Had the existing ‘reduced mode functionality’ remain, a lot of users could have found themselves locked out, causing massive PR grief to Microsoft even though customers were using, knowingly or not, a pirate copy of Vista. That would have generated a lot more pro-Linux and pro-Mac sentiment, something Microsoft has clearly recognised and moved to minimise. So, has Microsoft made any progress in fighting piracy? Please read onto page 3... |
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