lightsource

Microsoft cracking down, making Linux look good

-Posted by Joe Brockmeier @ 8:55 am

Microsoft is getting ready to crack down on illicit copies of Windows by denying users the ability to download additional software, and eventually security updates.

A lot of pundits are complaining about Microsoft's new policy. Not me. I'm thrilled that Microsoft is going to go out of its way to highlight its ridiculous licensing and pricing, which can only make open source OSes look better by comparison. To paraphrase a line from one of the good Star Wars movies, "The more you tighten your grip, Billy, the more users will slip through your fingers."

Microsoft has made noise before about enforcing its licensing and requiring registration, but the company has always left a lot of wiggle room for users to install Windows without actually having to pay for a license. When faced with the choice between paying for Windows or using something else, some users will reach for their wallets — but others will start considering other options.

By the way, I don't condone using Windows without a valid license. Microsoft has every right to charge for their software, just as open source developers have the right to use the GPL, BSD, Artistic License or whatever other license they fancy. If you're going to use Windows, you should be paying the piper. If it seems silly that you should have to pay for a separate license for Windows for every computer in your home, maybe Linux is something you should consider.

Original Source: http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9595_22-5561113.html

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uberlinux

<<Linux always looked good>>
I hope that people don't try Linux just for the sake of being cheap, there is so much more to it.

EDIT::.. WooHoo! 500 posts!

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ouroboros1827

hopefully someone with a brain cell in their head will release steam for linux.

until then my switch to linux will be dualboot (must...have...cs:s). ubuntu was always good, but i've yet to get that gentoo installed. i'll get there

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F-Disk

they already made a crack for that specific thing they install on your comp[uter lol i may or may not have an illegal copy of windows so im set anyway

uberlinux

what is steam???

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metalkobra

it would be great if there were more linux games and stuff, it would make switching easier, but thats why i havent switched to linux, none of my games are linux compatible. heck i cant even instal xpx6 because i get some emm386 error saying address line a20 already enabled, and i cant get the cd to boot =/.

lightsource

Yea dude. Seriously. All I really need is my games. But the good thing about Windows XP is how many programs it has on it. I use alot of desktop modding programs liek Yz Dock. If I could have all my WindowsXP Programs on Linux lol. I wouldn't even use windows. Other than the fact that its soo easy to install stuff on windows XP.

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MrSmiley

Counter strike, impliments Dx 9.0b, there isn't any support for it currently on l00nix or *NIX. I think wine is theoreticly suppose to be done with that around the time RELENG_6 comes out for BSD, so it'll be happy days for me.

uberlinux

Thanks for the clarification, I havent used a video game since Command&Conquer, so I'm kinda out of the loop

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