Re: License with Windows XP

From: EvolBob (robertwm_at_orcon.net.nz)
Date: 01/24/05 

Date: Tue, 25 Jan 2005 06:49:00 +1300

Thanks for the comments Ken.
I'm not going to itemize each point and go through them one at a time.
(don't we all just hate that?)
I also always top post; So give up this complaint before ya start.

Your reply was a bit disappointing and predictable, in its right wing views.
I had hoped for some understanding for those NOT in a situation of choice.

My main point that I failed to convey, was the general agreement from this
NG is that - someone with 2 XP OS on the SAME computer, would need 2
licenses to legally run them. Poppy-***!

I had hoped you guys had some guts to say it would be a little unreasonable
for MS to prosecute, when one can only use one OS at the time (usually):
Whether or not this is technically a breach of copyright law or not.
In what reality do you live in where the law is always right all the time?

As a police officer Ken, you would still ticket a speeding motorist,
hospital bound with a sick child?
As a lawyer Ken would you defend or prosecute this person?
As a parent Ken, would you report your son/mother/brother to the authorities
as the driver?

My advice to all who for what ever reason have 2 OS on their machine, don't
worry MS will never get you for piracy, as I for one cannot see how they are
suffering any injury from this agreed flagrant violation of the LAW!

On a humorous side note:
The NZ government tired to introduce a new Fart Tax law in late 2003 - they
failed.
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/index.cfm?ObjectID=3529313

Lastly, thanks Alias for the only one with enough brains figure out my
ramblings.
I can't wait for that program to return - Jennifer Garner is so .... u
know - GOOD!

Regards
Evolbob

"Ken Blake" <kblake@this.is.an.invalid.domain> wrote in message
news:%235zMTYMAFHA.2016@TK2MSFTNGP15.phx.gbl...
> In news:O%23dMz8LAFHA.2880@TK2MSFTNGP14.phx.gbl,
> EvolBob <robertwm@orcon.net.nz> typed:
>
>> Hi all.
>> I'm new to this group and after reading the previous 200 posts you
>> have already answered several questions. - thanks.
>> But -
>>
>>>You're almost certainly better off just buying a complete second copy
>>>from a discount source.
>>
>> - Why would a home user do this?
>> He is the only user. At any one time, only one OS is being used by
>> him, even if both computers are on he can't split into two persons.
>> Like using two pianos, its a stretch :)
>
>
> The question was about having two computers with Windows XP on both of
> them. In most cases, people who want to do that either want to have one on
> a laptop and one on a desktop, or want to have two computers, one for each
> of two household members.
>
> This particular person said he was the only user, so why he wants two
> computers I don't know. But I wasn't trying to second-guess him. He said
> he wanted two, and I accepted that. My reply had to do with what he had to
> do to have Windows XP on both.
>
>
>> What about multitasking on XPSR2 with a high priced graphic card, the
>> latest software and networking, one could have several monitors
>> accessing different programs on the same computer?
>> No extra license for that is needed.
>
>
> True, but irrelevant in the context of the question he asked.
>
>
>> I just tried the Open Office suite and for a free software
>> application - it just blew my socks off!
>
>
> I've never used it myself, but I've heard good other reports from those
> who have liked it.
>
>
>> MS has its money grubbing days numbered!
>
>
> Highly unlikely.
>
> Personally I prefer WordPerfect, which is also cheaper than Microsoft
> Office (but obviously more expensive than the free OpenOffice).
>
>
>
>> I don't support piracy, but to do this one needs to have deprived MS
>> from something?
>> And for most it is copy the OS to the other machine or not: Buying
>> another copy is NOT a viable option.
>
>
> The laws say you need to adhere to the license agreement, If you don't
> like that license agreement, don't buy the product. There *are* other
> choices, as you yourself point out, talking about OpenOffice.
>
>
>> Selling a computer without an OS is like selling a car without tyres.
>
>
> I'm not sure what point that statement is supposed to be making. He's
> building a computer, not buying one. When you build a computer yourself,
> it doesn't come with an operating system or with anything else.
>
> And by the way, there's nothing wrong with buying a computer without an
> operating system or with buying a car without tires. You can't use the
> computer without an operating system or a car without tires, but that
> doesn't preclude your buying either that way and supplying the operating
> system or tires yourself. For example, someone who wants to install a free
> version of Linux would normally prefer to buy a computer without an
> operating system. And someone, for example, who owns a tire business might
> find it cheaper to buy without tires and supply them himself.
>
>
>> Again why would a person like myself (financially constipated) go and
>> spend $200 NZ dollars for another OS, for something I already have?
>
>
> Because the law requires you to adhere to the terms of the license
> agreement. Becuase not doing so is stealing. Because it's immoral. Because
> it can get you into severe legal difficulties if you get caught.
>
> If you can't afford a loaf of bread, do you steal it? If you can't afford
> a car, do you steal one? Why do you think it's OK to steal software? You
> say above that you don't support piracy, but clearly you do.
>
>
>> Why would anyone?
>> I don't believe anyone does - do you, does M$?
>
>
> I can't speak for anyone but myself. I own three computers--two desktops
> (one for me, one for my wife) and a laptop (which we share). The two
> desktops each have their own copies of Windows XP which I bought
> (Professional for me, Home for my wife). The laptop has a third copy,
> which came with the computer.
>
>
>> If you say yes you mean computers and the Internet are for the rich
>> only?
>
>
> Not at all. I know many people who are *far* from rich and who use
> computers and the internet without stealing anything. These days it's
> possible to buy computers very inexpensively. And there's lots of free
> software you can run, starting with Linux and OpenOffice.
>
> And if you can't afford even that, then there are often public libraries
> where computers and the internet can be used for free. Buy and use
> whatever you can afford.
>
>
>> If I were Bill Gates I'd fix the OS software problems, sell the
>> OS for $20 and maybe $40 for the Office apps, and provide free online
>> help to all new customers till the next new version.
>
>
> That's very noble of you. It's too bad for all of us that you're not Bill
> Gates.
>
> What you are missing, of course, that if you were Bill Gates trying to run
> a company with such noble aims, instead of making money for its
> stockholders, you would likely have gone out of business long ago.
>
> --
> Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
> Please reply to the newsgroup
<snipped>