Is the "Microsoft Genuine Advantage" verification tool...

[KitchenWitch]

just a ploy so you can download an "Upgrade to Vista" ad?

x(

[Maineiac]

1. It's another hideous attempt

for Microsoft to further fatten it's wallets. I can't tell you how many legitimate copies of windows it claimed were false. continuously popping up balloons telling people to buy new software. I wonder how many actually did?

[KitchenWitch]

2. No shit!

My copy of XP verified okay (It better have, It came loaded on this computer.)

[Deja Q]

3. Dunno about America, but he's some cool trivia that hasn't changed much since 2004:

piracy rates:

China 90%
India 74%

(source cnet.asia -- by now the % points would have dropped about, oh, maybe 2% for each country...)

Of course, I'd love to pay the cost the Indians pay for Windows. If costs are tied into the local economy, we'd all be able to live by ordering overseas for everything... 'course, that'd be us taking advantage of globalization, and that would be wrong. Not until we become big corporations, you see. :evilgrin:

[Maineiac]

4. The non-profit / educational plan is better

My friends run a non profit that teaches engineering skills to kids. Windows XP - $8 a copy. Microsoft Office =- $5 or something close to that. The only hitch is that he can't resell it or order more than once a year, but he can purchase as much as he needs at a time.

[KitchenWitch]

5. I have heard about that

My dad does some volunteer work for a non-profit, and he has obtained software through them (he pays for his copy when they order for the non-profit - he is one of the computer administrators).

[ghostsofgiants]

6. The funny thing is there are pirated copies of XP that it recognizes as legit.

[Maineiac]

8. Obviously none from that guy who was found guilty

of selling $700,000 of pirated software on ebay. Poor chap is going to be getting three hots and a cot courtesy of the state for a few years.

[LSK]

7. RUN FOR YOUR LIFE!!!!!!!!!!!

:scared:

[alarimer]

9. I had problems with this a few days ago

I probably posted about it just to complain.

I used to have Windows Update turned on. But windows genuine advantage attempted to install itself several times a day, even though I would cancel the installation every time. I finally just shut off the Windows update altogether. I figure I can go and get what updates I need, if any.

I hate Microsoft with a purple passion for this (among other things). But next computer will not be a Windows computer.