Vista activation news

[Agent]

http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=37941

Shocker!

[dave87]

Ah well, Microsoft did kinda shoot themselves in the foot with this system...

[this_is_gav]

Really hard to like the Inquirer at the best of times, but this really got up my nose:

The biggest problem for MS? If this gets widespread, and I hope it will, people will start activating legit keys that are owned by other people

I'm well aware many people dislike MS, and can appreciate many of the reasons, but for what at least attempts to be a respectable site, that quote is shocking. I just pulled out 2 lines, but the exact sentiment is running through the entire page.

Yes, the method used will probably end up blacklisting legal keys, but really... what's the Inq trying to achieve? Do they think MS even bother reading dross like that?

This method will probably be blocked in the next WGA patch anyway, most likely by the 13th (patch Tuesday). Granted, some will just choose not to install WGA, but I'm sure many more will simply see an update and grab it.

[Agent]

Aye, I agree with you Gav. Not exactly the best style it could have been written in.
I dont see how causing issues for geniune users is good.

Think they are just annoyed at the stupid retail price in Europe still.

As for WGA - can see your point, but its not going to stop it on machines without it installed.
I can see huge databases of keys being released in the future. We'll see....

[this_is_gav]

Apparently all Microsoft have to is to restrict the number of attempts per minute that any single IP or PC can make, and the problem will be solved. Even without a WGA upgrade (and I admit that could be a problem), MS could so easily fix this issue if they feel the need, by just amending the software on the activation servers.

I say apparently, as I've not looked up any information on the matter - for all I know this work-around/even-more-blatent-theft-than-normal might not exist, I've only read the Inq report into it - but saying as in a spectacularly negative article, the Inq themselves said that it could be stopped, it leads me to believe that it's not going to take much.

[Gordy]

Just read this and at first it look like a nightmare for ms, but really all they do is put a time out on anyone trying to activate multiple keys. Eg 10 keys max an hour.

[Agent]

Ah yes, I got the wrong end of what was being said

[Dreaming]

I think the register is out of line really. They're basically hoping that people who have paid for the product get screwed over and have to go to Microsoft, that it will be funny. Even if they don't agree with Microsoft's pricing, that's like saying (in a very roundabout and not so similar way)

we have devised a way to make a new car key for lamborghini, it's a bit random and might not work, but if you get lucky you'll have yourself a new lamborghini. it'll be funny cos the original owner will have to go to lamborghini to sort it out, who are an evil company because they charge too much

if ya don't want a lamborghini, get a rover . Or in fact, a bicycle. I didn't mind using the XP corp crack for multiple copies of XP, as I already had a couple of licences, and it was hassle, and I wanted the pro version (althuogh im not condoning software piracy) - but to actually go and use a key that someone else has legitimately paid for, and force THEM to go to the hassle of getting it sorted out, is completely unethical.

I think a journalist has to show a level of professionalism, and take into account the implications of what they are saying. I've just lost a fair bit of respect for the register tbh, because they are not trying to do a bit of a fast one, they are condoning theft of someones personalised key for their system.

[McClane]

Apparently all Microsoft have to is to restrict the number of attempts per minute that any single IP or PC can make, and the problem will be solved.

Isn't that just compounding the problem of legit users having to jump through hoops for a product they have paid to use?

[this_is_gav]

Isn't that just compounding the problem of legit users having to jump through hoops for a product they have paid to use?

There could be a few isolated cases I guess, but most of the time, single IP addresses needing to make more than 1 requests in a minute, would come down solely to small businesses not in a VLK arrangement (a situation I have at work), all using the interweb through a single router - and frankly, if you're activating more than 1 PC in a minute, then you're motoring some

Perhaps 1 per minute would be a bit harsh - Gordy's suggestion of 20 per hour would probably be better and leave a degree of flexibility.

Anyway, like I said, if MS feel this needs stamping down on, then I doubt it will take much effort on their part to do so.

[excalibur2]

Interesting comment from somewhere on google:-

Bill gates started life as a pirate
Bill got his empire by being a pirate
Bill gates purposely let windows be easy to pirate to make sure he had a lot of market share.
Bill gates on piracy "They'll get addicted, and then we'll collect"
He is just turning his back on the same people that got him where he is today.
It is is kind of like stereotypical drug pushers

[shaithis]

Isn't that just compounding the problem of legit users having to jump through hoops for a product they have paid to use?

Indeed. As I said only in the last couple of days, its always the legit users who end up with all the hassle when it comes to copy protection.

The more you get messed around, the more you start to think "sod it, I'll pirate it next time"

[kalniel]

I think the register is out of line really.
.
.
.
. I've just lost a fair bit of respect for the register tbh, because they are not trying to do a bit of a fast one, they are condoning theft of someones personalised key for their system.

Please don't vent at the wrong journos.. It's the Inquirer that ran this article, not the Register.

It's very Charlie style - I notice another of their writers has an opinion article saying how wrong it is to pirate software and Vista.

[Agent]

http://www.theinquirer.net/default.aspx?article=37954

heh

[this_is_gav]

ROFL!

While everyone is entitled to their personal opinion, we wish to put on record that The INQUIRER does not condone the illegal copying and use of software.

'We do however encourage it'

[Funkstar]

From Slashdot:

The author of the Windows Vista keygen that was reported yesterday has admitted that the program does not actually work. Here is the initial announcement of the original release of the keygen, and here is the followup post in which the same author acknowledges that the program is fake. Apparently, the keygen program does legitimately attack Windows Vista keys via brute force, but the chances of success are too low for this to be a practical method. Quote from the author: 'Everyone who said they got a key is probably lying or mistaken!

http://it.slashdot.org/it/07/03/03/1339209.shtml

Original Post about the tool:
http://keznews.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2634

Admission:
http://keznews.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2782