After presenting the Windows Genuine advantage tool Microsoft now has the Office version out. The anti-piracy tool has to be used for Office software, users that want to download Office Online templates within Office 2007 have to proof the validity of their software first.
For those that do not comply in Vista from Jan. 2007 onwards?
" Microsoft denies that this is a “kill switch” for Windows Vista, even giving it a separate question and answer in its mock interview announcing the program. Technically, they’re right, I suppose. Switching a PC into a degraded functionality where all you can do is browse the Internet doesn’t kill it; but it’s arguably a near-death experience. The accompanying white paper describes the experience in more detail:
By choosing "Access your computer with reduced functionality," the default Web browser will be started and the user will be presented with an option to purchase a new product key. There is no start menu, no desktop icons, and the desktop background is changed to black. The Web browser will fully function and Internet connectivity will not be blocked. After one hour, the system will log the user out without warning. It will not shut down the machine, and the user can log back in. Note: This is different from the Windows XP RFM experience, which limits screen resolution, colors, sounds and other features. [emphasis added]
My head practically exploded when I read this sentence describing the new, improved punishment regimen: “Windows Vista will have a reduced functionality mode but one that is enhanced.” Enhanced reduced functionality? Orwell would be proud", says Elizabeth Montalbano if IDG News Service.
Until open software is not phased out by these forms of protectionism, a lot of people may make the switch to Open Office etc., AbiWord etc.
Well with XP Pro it still has a long life cycle remaining because Pro versions are considered commercial and are supported for longer than consumer versions (XP Home, etc.). XP Home SP2 will still have 18 - 24 months extended support (security updates, etc.) as a previous version OS on Vista going gold.
I will certainly be waiting a long time before I even consider Vista.
I also have Office 97 and that does everything I need, each revision/new version of Office just seems to have more bells and whistles much of which the average user will never use.
I think that they are shooting themselves in the foot applying WGA into the Office product as there are plenty of alternatives that are much cheaper than MS Orifice, some free, all supposedly compatible with .doc files. As MS Orifice moves to and XML document format that will improve compatibility for competing office products.
I know for sure I won’t be paying out the kind of money MS want for Orifice, Open Office or one of the many alternatives for me.
I won’t agree if you’re saying Office 2007 > Office 2000 > Office XP > Office 2003.
But man, I agree with you when we’re talking about Office 2003 > Office 2007 (Vista).
They ruined the interface for me
Are things Really this bad? I do not think Microsoft is loosing as that much money on Office. I mean the people downloading pirated copies are the people that can not afford to buy it in the first place.
Not wanting to put words into Mac’s mouth, but I think he means are Piracy issues that bad with MS Oriface that they need to implement this WGA for MS Oriface.
I mean they already have Product Activation on MS Oriface versions after Oriface 2000, so they could check there for a valid license number, etc. As Mac said those that couldn’t afford MS Oriface will look for alternatives (cheap [pirated] copies for some), Open Office, Ability Office, etc. When compared with some of these cheaper paid for Office Alternatives, MS Oriface simply isn’t worth the money IMHO.
Should be Orifice: - http://www.tfd.com/orifice Orifice = An opening, especially to a cavity or passage of the body; a mouth or vent. I get lots of hits with Google http://www.google.co.uk/search?q=Orifice but I used the DictionarySearch firefox extension for the above defination.
A none to complimentary switch by me of MS Office, what I consider it to be a back passage of MS. Especially what they are considering with the WGA implementation.
No need, as I said in my first post, I have Office 97 it still does what I need 9 years after release, a word processor is a word processor is a word processor and there are only so many bells and whistles or eye candy you can apply to it, the underlying functions the average user regularly uses doesn’t warrant an update certainly not at those prices.
So Office 97 does what I need for now so no need for any Office alternative either. But for sure when I do need to update it then it won’t be MS Orifice but one of the alternatives.
???
;D