News - Microsoft updates WGA notifications for Windows XP

[directhex]

MS really needs to clamp down on OEMs and the amount of non-sense they bundle with their machines.

The crap offsets the high price of Windows though. Damned if you do, damned if you don't...

[aidanjt]

Guys - the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is *not* Microsoft. If you're going to use the idea that a company could produce a product cheaper so you're going to steal it then you need to significantly widen your scope.

But Microsoft is where Mr. & Mrs. Gates obtain the vast majority of their colossal wealth, and I'm sure if someone were to bother looking, Microsoft donates to the Gates Foundation as well. It's just shuffling numbers around, but the effect is the same. The Gates' and MS get tax breaks because of their Foundations donation, and it generates great PR. I'd rather keep that money to myself so I can decide if, or which charitable causes I want to give to. shaithis' rant is quite valid.

[Splash]

Ah, this is the Aidanjt I know and love

All rich people are intrinsically evil then? Who exactly *forces* you to buy Windows rather than a competing product?

As for the Microsoft donating to the Gates Foundation - I *did* look. I didn't find anything. You got a source? I see lots about Warren Buffet, but nothing about *Microsoft* (and not Bill personally) donating.

[WoLFe]

"xp = just works tbh"

Haha, indeed.

[baius]

If they reduced their prices WE could afford to give more to charity

Or spend more on computers - which is more likely.

"xp = just works tbh"

Haha, indeed.

[picture]

Cool picture.

[TAKTAK]

I think it would be a rather cunning marketing plan to 'give' windows 7 away for free..

Think about it, MS get an even bigger market dominance for their new OS, and still have funds coming in from their other products such as their office suite...
It's not as if they don't have the money in the bank to do it...

Obviously not going to happen though...

[Splash]

Yep, the shareholders would love that!

[teh_masterer]

But you're more than happy to pay for the Intel CPU and nVidia graphics card

Of course I know Intel and nvidia use the same nasty marketing tactics. But they make good chips. AMD aren't in any position to be pushing out intel, but I bet if AMD where in intel's position they would be doing the exact same thing.

Your system spec says you run Windows Vista.
If it's not worth the entry fee, why's it worth using?

Ever heard of DirectX? I need to use windows to game on. But I use kubuntu for everything except gaming.

The difference between me using hardware from intel and nvidia is that they have succeeded in making something decent. Whereas Microsoft have only succeded in creating a near complete monopoly on the PC as a gaming platform.

you could put your money where your mouth is, and use a product which COMPETES with, not supports, the supposed evil enemy

I donated the RRP of vista home premium to Ubuntu.

[djw74]

Why bother when they're so desperate to axe the OS entirely?

It costs money to maintain. People, Servers, and power. Refocused them ALL to windows 7 means more tender love and care for Win7 and less "wasted" money on past.

[Splash]

Ever heard of DirectX? I need to use windows to game on. But I use kubuntu for everything except gaming.

And DirectX was developed by? And you have to game on Windows because there are no other gaming platforms on the planet? And you *have* to game at all?

Sorry, your argument doesn't hold water.

[directhex]

Ever heard of DirectX? I need to use windows to game on. But I use kubuntu for everything except gaming.

The difference between me using hardware from intel and nvidia is that they have succeeded in making something decent. Whereas Microsoft have only succeded in creating a near complete monopoly on the PC as a gaming platform.

So you want access to Microsoft software, because it provides you with fandabbydabulous features like the ability to run the games you want, but you won't pay?

Sounds like justifying theft, tbh. "Oh I want to not use MS apps and support their software ecosystem, but I won't *pay* for it". Guess how competition works - you need to NOT USE THEIR PRODUCT. Using pirated windows HELPS the monopoly by telling game developers not to bother with non-Windows platforms.

I donated the RRP of vista home premium to Ubuntu.

No, you didn't. Canonical don't solicit donations.

[MadduckUK]

No, you didn't. Canonical don't solicit donations.

woa, now hold on a mo

[j.o.s.h.1408]

Vista is fine for me atm and XP is good too. windows 7? i wont touch that untill SP1 comes out. i never go into a new OS from day 1.

[baius]

Vista is fine for me atm and XP is good too. windows 7? i wont touch that untill SP1 comes out. i never go into a new OS from day 1.

That's a suprisingly sensible idea. I might try that. (Thanks, in other words.)

[j.o.s.h.1408]

That's a suprisingly sensible idea. I might try that. (Thanks, in other words.)

OS are very complex software and i cant remember a OS ever released since win 98 that diddnt contain any bugs. maybe linux and OSX are more stable at launch but i dont remember a MS OS thats been stable from day 1. who knows maybe win 7 is stable as rock at launch

[kalniel]

maybe linux and OSX are more stable at launch

Haha.. nope. Well, they might be stable, but they're full of bugs. But that's the linux way - lots of bugs, but they get fixed quite quickly.