Install WGA or else!!

OUMoose

Trying to find my place
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Read an article on Slashdot about M$ shutting down users that aren't using WGA. For those that don't know, WGA (a.k.a. Windows Genuine Advantage) is a small app that basically checks out your machine to tell if it's pirated or not. The application can call back to Microsoft to compare pirated license keys with "genuine" ones. Not everyone uses it though, and apparently that's becoming a problem for heir Ballmer und zie rest ov ze Microzoft crew. So, anyone not using WGA by this fall will have the plugged pulled on their PC's if they don't comply.

This wouldn't be such a big deal if WGA hadn't been calling back to MS repeatedly while the PC is running, causing excess network traffic. Firewall it off? Sure, but without a response, you'll get the plug pulled too. Oh, and lets hope WGA identifies your PC correctly, since there's already a boatload of documented cases of it not, and end-users getting told by M$ there's nothing they could do and to buy another copy. ouch.

One of the comment posts summed the situation up nicely:
User: "You can't possibly attack us, we are peaceful and have no defenses!
Bill: "You prefer another target, a litigious target, then name the systems!"
Bill: "I grow tired of asking this, so it'll be the last time. Where are the cracked installations of Windows XP Professional Edition?"
User: "Pirates' PCs... they're on Pirates' PCs."
Bill: "You see, lord Ballmer? They can be reasonable. Continue the operation, you may update when ready."
User: "What?!"
Bill: "You're far too trusting. Pirate PCs are too remote for an effective demonstration, but don't worry; we will deal with your rebel friends soon enough!"

Also in the news, Novell has released RC3 of SuSE 10 enterprise. Might just have to give it a shot...


P.S. 1200 posts! woohoo!! :D
 

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