I just got this interesting note from Alex Pournelle (Jerry Pournelle’s son and one of the most accomplished tech-geeks I know), to wit:
I’d say this qualifies as breaking news.
We have been attempting to install a Microsoft-provided Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) product key on a Windows XP Pro machine for the last week. We purchased the key directly from the Microsoft WGA department, and attempted to install it, without success so far.
Now, the machine in question started out as Windows XP Home, and was later updated to XP Pro. (That combination is troublesome to WGA, and we recommend NEVER trying it.) When we came on the scene (much later), it had never seen the Internet, so we of course immediately ran updates, which meant the machine ran afoul of the WGA validation.
After a week of attempting to get the WGA validation to pass, and repeated calls to Microsoft, we were told the “Server is down” and “being worked on”. As you probably remember, they had similar problems last year, which prevented a lot of people from validating their Vista installations. At the time they swore a mighty oath It Would Never Happen Again. I’m extremely disappointed.
I have the Microsoft Product Support Services staffer’s badge number, should anyone wish to follow up with Microsoft. I’m planning to check again on Monday and will advise.
Sincerely,
Alex Pournelle
Cripes, this should actually be covered by mainstream media, but you will hear or read nothing.
related link:
Jeff Atwood blog
#20 that was covered when he wrote “most”. It was in capital’s also. Even so, you didn’t seem to take notice.
“Cripes, this should actually be covered by mainstream media, but you will hear or read nothing.”
Ayup! People are more interested into watching another hairless picture of Britney’s snatch than some geek rant.
If only Linux was supported by the folks that create software for people who actually use their computers to do other than browse the web and post messages on blogs, then it would be great. But as of now, the capabilities are not substantial enough to even consider it as other than a server operating system.
#15 Pedro –
…so stupid to have your fingers crossed hoping nothing wrong happens to you doing normal stuff you describe.
Personal Computer development is still in in a state of flux. Upgrades both in hardware and software are part and parcel of owning and using a personal computer. Until technology plateaus out there is always going to be something better and faster on the horizon.
How we use a PC (Apple Mac too) is all up to us. For most users who view their PC as merely a tool replacing the typewriter / fax this development has little impact – that is until something breaks down then if the hardware is too old its game over for the entire box.
It is what it is. We enjoy the speed and features of today’s PCs and forget it was not that long ago a 12mhz 8bit processor and 128k of RAM was cutting edge…and expensive too!
http://tinyurl.com/2waw8v
http://tinyurl.com/33w5cs
So with Windows 7 on the horizon – well almost two years from now is it so Earth shattering?
We all got used to having it your way forgetting where it all came from and where it is going to.
Microsoft released Vista and people complain about hardware and software compatibility – same as when Windows XP came out. I had to trash hardware that I had no XP drivers for and looking back all that would be junk now anyway!
We buy all sorts of junk we don’t need anyway so what’s a couple of hundred dollars on a OS? That’s what – a month’s worth of petro/gas now? To hear people talk its like they have to add an extension to their house!
Do we need all the features of Vista? For most users probably not but that story has played over and over so many times. From Windows 3.11, Windows 95/98/ME/2000/XP/Vista/?…
Linux as a choice? No – not for the common everyday user until one day Microsoft or Corel port their Office software to that platform. If Microsoft had no ethical dilemma porting Office to Apple Macs why not Linux? User base for one – a lot more users of Apple Macs than Linux.
Is Microsoft EVIL for not doing this – Not any more EVIL than Apple – in fact I would say I would be far happier welcoming the Microsoft overlords than Apple!
That’s one of the things I like the most about macfans, how adamantly they defend their instant gratification in lew of their basic rights as a customer. Steve will take care of them.
For me, I use XP and I upgrade hardware every 24/36 months or so and usually get high end stuff so I could if I had to stave off any upgrade for a long time.
(Quad Core/Asus P5k MB/2g 1066mhz Crucial RAM/PNY 8800-650mb PCIe and dual 300mb SataII HDD)
Cheers
I’ve had Vista since March of last year. I had to reactivate it once after I made major changes to my system. The process was fast, actually spoke to a MS rep on my first call. I’m in the Vegas area.
I have Ubuntu Studio and XP on my 2nd PC. I prefer Vista.
@#23: “If only Linux was supported by the folks that create software for people who actually use their computers to do other than browse the web and post messages on blogs, then it would be great.”
Well, using Linux exclusively for everything BUT the web surfing since late 1990′s I must disagree. Actually many Linux applications free you up from restrictions of other OS’s. So for 10 yrs. I did writing, book publishing and editing, photo (and other image) editing/creating, web design, hi-tech engineering design, presentations, scientific and engineering data processing,… And on the entertainment side MythTV does more than MS Media Center or AppleTV ever would be able (by design). My home telephone system runs on Linux too…
And for ease of use/install: last year I gave my 10 yr old nephew, more a sports-find than a geek, short list of instructional websites. Next day he had not only Linux running but a whole MythTV based entertainment system he wanted… People just assume it is hard, (I’ll admit it was in late 1990′s but not anymore)…
#25 how many Maujor changes on your hardware do you have left before you have to call them to “please, let me reactivate again”?
And why you have to ask permission from them to change your hardware in the first place?
No question about it, people love to be treated like robbers
There are SO many of us just waiting for the chance to dump Microsoft for good. Not because their stuff is bad, but simply because they’ve taught us to hate them, with patronizing, irritating crặp like this.
Microsoft never confuses its “customers” with its “users”. We’re users, and our opinions don’t matter. PC OEMs and corporate IT are the customers.
Give me a hard copy of something any day! I do not believe in downloading expensive and important software, nor do I buy licenses that are important ether. I want a copy of something with the license in hand. Plus, I buy a full version of Windows. Best thing to do is save your files erase and install a clean copy. Don’t do upgrades. Your just asking for trouble!!!
#25 – now imagine you had to get in the phone support queue for every application already installed on that computer.
1 hour to upgrade your system, 2 days to get approval from all these guys who already have your money.
You add up all the ways MS and the rest of the corporate world use to ensure profits and you might start thinking there’s a plot out there to take away ownership of anything you don’t get a patent on..including your wife and kids ?
On another note..
Looking at the map, c’mon ! There ain’t that many people in Wyoming or South Dakota !
I’m a Mac user and I wan’t impacted by this nonsense one bit. Friends don’t let friends use Windows.
#33 nor mac products, but I don’t see that getting in your way.
I still use the horse and buggy, and like Mac users I wasn’t impacted by this nonsense one bit.
echo #2
I say good… let operating systems expire with no reinstallation after 5 years.
Having software and hardware manufacturers have to support utterly obsolete operating systems on ancient hardware is a major pain, stifling innovation and causing everyone problems, like unpatchable ancient OS becoming zombies and spewing Spam.
A computer is a $1500 investment meant to work for about 5 years and no more. After that you need to replace it, including using a new OS that is up to date and will work for the next 5 years. That’s life… don’t like it??? Take your whine somewhere else.
That does not excuse having the activation servers go offline, but that is not what most respondents are arguing about here.
I’ve read in a few places that MicroShaft plans a downloadable patch or Windows Update to enable reinstallations of XP after it is no longer officially supported. Now if only I could remember or find the URLs…
#37
Ah, forced obsolescence without consideration for the consumer. The same principle that U.S. carmakers used to follow that led to them lose market share and led to crappy cars.
Fortunately for you, there are some hints in the press that Windows 7 will also be available on a subscription model– one that goes beyond the subscription plan that MS makes available to large corporations today. That new model means that if you don’t pay Microsoft its annual tithe, you don’t have an OS.
For frequent upgraders and users on the cutting edge, it’s not too bad. But for budget-minded people like me, it’s a disaster waiting to happen. Software as a Service -a.k.a. rentals- shouldn’t be applied to today’s OS or at least not the only option, it’s more of a throwback to the mainframe era (and SCO Unix–of course look where they are now).
# 36 wiscados – Linux is far from being the “Saviour”. I tried it – woopee – the open source “Office” is terrible with strange formating translations to start with.
Cheers