Illegal users get to install SP2

[Canterwood]

It seems that even pirated copies of XP will get to install SP2.

An interesting move for Microsoft, but it appears that having illegal users upgrading to SP2 outweighs having a load of unpatched systems out on the internet.

The full story:

XP SP2 for all

 

[n0cmonkey]

Kind of validates the piracy...

 

[CTho9305]

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey
Kind of validates the piracy...

If unpatched windows boxes take down the internet a few more times (blaster, anyone? SQL Slammer?), Microsoft might have something to worry about. It's in their interest.

edit: I'm not sure what you mean by "validates". Only the Iraqi information minister would deny that Windows is frequently pirated .

 

[saxophonoia]

hmm that's interesting

 

[Bleep]

I do not pirate any software but I think this is a very good move on their part. There are so many unpatched pirated editions out there that cause so many problems to everyone else it is causing MS a lot of bad publicity not only here but in other countries. It is about time that MS put the public interest 1st instead of last. By the way I use Linux so either way it does not affect me.

Bleep

 

[drag]

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey
Kind of validates the piracy...

No Windows XP "corporate" edition validates the piracy, and allowing service pack2 is just icing on the cake.

(Why didn't they just make it easy to install with a liscencing/authentication server like stuff like Maya or Quark Express?)

Buy allowing people to steal their software it makes MS market's slice just that much more dominate.


For example if just of a 1/4 of the people who steal windows move to Linux just becaues they are cheap bastards, then that would be enough to make hardware makers pay attention and make proper drivers for Linux. But right now that's a non-issue for lots of manufactures so they don't bother with hardware support for linux and that puts up more barriers to adoption of Linux and other rival operating systems.

it's the same thing with games, applications and a whole host of other software and services. Continued market dominance, even thru warez software, helps to ensure market dominance in the future.

 

[MedicBob]

Interesting idea Drag.

I agree it is better fo M$ to have the good publicity of a more secure OS then to let unpatched systems bring the "net to it's knees.

 

[n0cmonkey]

This isn't going to change things. The hardcore pirates are smart enough to not get infected. It's the idiots out there that bought a Dell, or a Compaq/HP, or an eMachines, or a whatever that don't bother to patch in the first place.

I've got even less of a reason to buy XP now. Although, I wasn't planning on it, and if I was going to use it I'd pay for it because I'm that kinda guy.

 

[Unforgiven]

interesting article indeed. the people using xp corp are people who know what they are doing and probably already have their systems patched. you can still manually go and download updates, the only thing lost is the convenience of clicking windows update and having it done for you. as was said before, the people with the know how are already protected, its joe average user with the manufacturer built system that is flying blind and is the real issue. microsoft is just trying to save face and by allowing this to be available to ALL users (legal or illegal) they are in a way admitting that the anti-piracy campaign wasnt as successful as initially intended. thats how i see it at least.

 

[EeyoreX]

microsoft is just trying to save face and by allowing this to be available to ALL users (legal or illegal) they are in a way admitting that the anti-piracy campaign wasnt as successful as initially intended. thats how i see it at least.

I don't think Microsoft is admitting anything of the sort. In fact, I'd bet their campaign is a great success. Activation is designed to stop casual piracy. The "hardcore" pirates are not going to be stopped by activation. Average Computer Joe is going to be stopped because he doesn't know how to get around the issue. I do agree that it is in Microsoft's best interest to allow everyone to update Windows, from a PR standpoint. I also agree that this won;t change anything because most people savvy enough to pirate the OS have alreay [atched it.

\Dan

 

[JonnyBlaze]

how would they have stopped it anyways? i know people who have had sp2 for a while already.

JB

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: JonnyBlaze
how would they have stopped it anyways? i know people who have had sp2 for a while already.

JB

Blacklist large numbers of serial numbers or whatever. But this won't stop someone that knows what they are doing. Which leads to my earlier statement, it validates violating copyright law and pirating Windows.

 

[drag]

Originally posted by: JonnyBlaze
how would they have stopped it anyways? i know people who have had sp2 for a while already.

JB

It's just proof positive that MS realy does care about security.

Even though its trivially easy for most people to simply download the service pack and install it, it's just the sort of thing that MS does because they are such honest nice people.

And they are perfectly happy to let the whole world know how much they care.

 

[Canterwood]

Another site is now reporting that now there's been a U turn by Microsoft and SP2 WON'T install on those machines with the blacklisted keys after all. Don't know who to believe these days.

SP2 Wont install on blacklisted keys

Still, its no major for the legit users.

 

[drag]

Originally posted by: Canterwood
Another site is now reporting that now there's been a U turn by Microsoft and SP2 WON'T install on those machines with the blacklisted keys after all. Don't know who to believe these days.

SP2 Wont install on blacklisted keys

Still, its no major for the legit users.

Well then, that's good. Screw the users that steal software.

I hope that they do get viruses for stealing food from the mouth of all those hard working programmers.

Those BASTARDS.

 

[jagec]

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey
This isn't going to change things. The hardcore pirates are smart enough to not get infected. It's the idiots out there that bought a Dell, or a Compaq/HP, or an eMachines, or a whatever that don't bother to patch in the first place.

I've got even less of a reason to buy XP now. Although, I wasn't planning on it, and if I was going to use it I'd pay for it because I'm that kinda guy.

there's a large group of idiot users who have their computer savvy and unscrupulous friends give them a "free upgrade", then download Gator and all that crap. So yeah, it's a problem.

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: jagec

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey
This isn't going to change things. The hardcore pirates are smart enough to not get infected. It's the idiots out there that bought a Dell, or a Compaq/HP, or an eMachines, or a whatever that don't bother to patch in the first place.

I've got even less of a reason to buy XP now. Although, I wasn't planning on it, and if I was going to use it I'd pay for it because I'm that kinda guy.

there's a large group of idiot users who have their computer savvy and unscrupulous friends give them a "free upgrade", then download Gator and all that crap. So yeah, it's a problem.

I don't see that as a problem. When their ISP kills the connection and the FBI knocks on their door they'll get their updates eventually.

Yeah, like everyone would pay that close attention to the internet. Besides these are the people that wouldn't bother updating if they had a legit OS.

 

[asm0deus]

they'll have a cracked SP2 available in no time. But if there were no people cracking this software then they wouldnt be so active to protect it. It's just another example of the never ending and mutually beneficial war between developers and pirates.

 

[n0cmonkey]

Pirates support Microsoft, whether they think they do or not.

 

[Muzzy]

Originally posted by: Canterwood
It seems that even pirated copies of XP will get to install SP2.

An interesting move for Microsoft, but it appears that having illegal users upgrading to SP2 outweighs having a load of unpatched systems out on the internet.

The full story:

XP SP2 for all

Not according to this story

 

[Kappo]

Well then, that's good. Screw the users that steal software.

I hope that they do get viruses for stealing food from the mouth of all those hard working programmers.

Those BASTARDS.

Were you being sarcastic?

 

[drag]

Originally posted by: Kappo

Well then, that's good. Screw the users that steal software.

I hope that they do get viruses for stealing food from the mouth of all those hard working programmers.

Those BASTARDS.

Were you being sarcastic?

Yes.

 

[Kappo]

Originally posted by: drag

Originally posted by: Kappo

Well then, that's good. Screw the users that steal software.

I hope that they do get viruses for stealing food from the mouth of all those hard working programmers.

Those BASTARDS.

Were you being sarcastic?

Yes.

So in reality you just wanted to take this chance to bash MS to prove your e-p33n? Just checking!

 

[Canterwood]

Originally posted by: Muzzy

Originally posted by: Canterwood
It seems that even pirated copies of XP will get to install SP2.

An interesting move for Microsoft, but it appears that having illegal users upgrading to SP2 outweighs having a load of unpatched systems out on the internet.

The full story:

XP SP2 for all

Not according to this story

Read the whole thread! I've already pointed out that M$ seem to have changed their minds. (again!)

But I wonder if the keychecking will be done different this time to snag the users who've used a keygen to get a new corp key? I'd still expect some SP2 keygens to be popping up on the net though!

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: Kappo

Originally posted by: drag

Originally posted by: Kappo

Well then, that's good. Screw the users that steal software.

I hope that they do get viruses for stealing food from the mouth of all those hard working programmers.

Those BASTARDS.

Were you being sarcastic?

Yes.

So in reality you just wanted to take this chance to bash MS to prove your e-p33n? Just checking!

That's a new one to me. Sometimes MS deserves the bashing.