hazel

This could be a hoax but it sounds like the kind of thing they do. There is supposed to be a program that checks up on computers to see if they are running a pirated copy of Windows. If they are, a warning comes up and then the program nukes your video driver so that the screen goes black.

It's currently being used in China (which is more or less the international centre for piracy so that figures) but if it really exists, they'll probably roll it out worldwide.

It occurs to me that with a very small tweak, they could find out if Windows users are running free software. So if you have the temerity to download OpenOffice for free instead of buying MS Office from Microsoft like you're supposed to, bang!

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Jonathan183

But that is different ... you could have proper copy of Windows and just choose to use OpenOffice ... It would be entertaining when lots of screens go blank because MS have out of date or incorrect information ... almost as good a job as Vista

techieMoe

It doesn't "nuke your video driver," it turns your desktop black with a message that you need to purchase a legitimate copy of Windows. I have no issues with this, and it's actually one of the lighter annoyances Microsoft could have given. These people are, after all, using a copy of Microsoft's product illegally.

Microsoft lets 1,000 blackouts bloom, Chinese users upset

If any of these people are seriously bothered by it, China has its own state-supported version of Linux, Red Flag. If anything, this is a good thing for the Linux community.

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elija

I can't say that I have a particular problem with Microsoft striking back at pirates. As a software developer I have a particular dislike of pirates. If it wasn't for the scurvy knaves there would be no need for overly restrictive DRM.

If MS decide to try and limit what software you can run on their operating systems that is again their choice. There is nothing to stop someone from formatting their drive and installing an alternative.

I agree with Moe though that this will be a good thing for the Linux community; given the choice between buying an expensive but legitimate set of Microsift licenses or moving to open source, I reckon it will be at least 50% moving over..

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jayd512

I don't see a problem with making sure that there are no pirated versions running. Like elija said, if it weren't for pirates, then DRM would be less restrictive. Although, I don't think that even Microsoft would go so far as to try and shut you down for running free software. I mean, really, you're gonna give me grief for playing something like Nethack?!?

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cousinlucky

During my quagmire of trying to safely use windows xp on the Internet I bought a Kerio Firewall. In setting it up I discovered just how many " phone home " programs Microsoft and HP had installed into my computer.

It was mentioned to me during one of my hard drive reformats that all of Microsoft's " back door " programs is one of the reasons it is so vulnerable.

I do know of two people that use pirated copies of xp on their computers but they do not ever go on-line with their computers.

I never knew when I bought my computer that I was supposed to be sending microsoft money for the os. I wonder how many times microsoft shut down my computer.

I still have relatives spending a fortune getting the trojans, viruses, and malware out of their windows computers. I find the main reason that they stick with microsoft is because they paid for it.

I still use my obsolete suse 10 os because I paid for it. I am, however on the verge of installing my new Ubuntu disk when I work up the courage.

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arinlares

well, this doesn't look too bad. i heard of the anti-piracy measure somewhere else. they COULD lock you out.

questio verum

Vista... that's exactly where my thoughts went when I read Hazel's post. And if you believe the trade rags and the blogs; that "feature" was not corrected by SP1. Thank god I wont be dealing with that headache.

I agree with your sentiment on pirates, and yes, I believe it will drive yet more people to alternatives like linux. Apple will probably gain from it as well. At least here in the states.

GNU-Fan

I find it very interesting and appellative that so many people are actually complaining about this in the hope this annoyance will be taken back by MS, whose customers they not even are. Even though I have a strong dislike towards the propaganda that comes with the term "piracy", it is undeniable a funny thing that these people think they are entitled their complain.

The idea that there is no other operating system beside Windows+Office [sic] must be so deeply entrenched in their heads that no harassment, how big it ever might be, seems to be sufficient to actually cause a "switching".

Funny world.

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