RE: Windows XP -- MIDRANGE-L

>>> Comments inline

-----Original Message-----
From: Joel R. Cochran [mailto:jrc@masi-brac.com]
Sent: Tuesday, November 27, 2001 10:14 AM
To: 'midrange-l@midrange.com'
Subject: RE: Windows XP


If you are doing Java development, then the platform should be a non-issue
(that is the point, right?).  It's funny how so many people can have
different experiences with the same thing.  I haven't had any trouble with
Win98 and so far W2K seems OK.

>>> We are getting into some VB development where (apparently) platform
matters.

My problems with XP have a lot to do with Licensing.  MS is going to try to
over-enforce some licensing issues by tracking hardware changes.  If you
change four out of ten key hardware components then suddenly XP won't work
right anymore... until you buy another license from MS.

>>> The last statement is false. IIRC, five devices within a 180 day period.
You have to call up and have them reset your "ID number". The NIC is the
most important one to NOT change in this process. I have yet to test this,
but several of the computer magazines have tested this, and I guess have not
have too many problems with it, even from the geek stand point.

This same hardware configuration tracking makes it possible for MS to block
the install of your rightly purchased software on another machine, even in
your own home... say little Jimmy's hand me down Pentium 133.  Now Mom and
Dad have to buy 2 licenses to support both PCs.  I'm no expert, but I read a
lot of their stuff and I don't think I'm alone in thinking that this is
simply going too far.

>>> This scenario is illegal anyway. The license states that it can ONLY be
installed on one machine. However if little Jimmy knows a lot about the
internet, he might find one of the hundreds of hacks to disable the hardware
tracking. ;-)

And what about Passport?  MS is trying to make it so that you have to
register with them if you want to use the Internet.  Naturally they'll be
recording your Internet usage for their own gain, but don't worry about it,
your privacy is safely in the hands of "Uncle Bill"!  That kind of corporate
hubris simply makes me believe that enough is enough, so no more Windows for
me, 2000 would seem to be the end of the line.  Guess I need to buy a book
about Linux...

>>> So don't use it. They nag you for a while to register, but then they
stop. You don't HAVE to use it, that is just what they WANT you to do. If
they make you, that would be monopolistic action, and would be in even more
legal trouble. Or if you want to use it, don't give them information that
you don't want tracked. There is no forcing, just very highly suggested.


>>>>   Mike