Linux-Watch
      . . . keeping an eye on the penguin   
Home  |  News  |  Forum  |  Blogs  |  Videos  |  ITLink

Keywords: Match:
Is Vista forcing users to go Linux?
Jan. 02, 2007

There are many reasons to switch to Linux, but well-known technology journalist Charlie Demerjian reminds us of one of particular importance to PC hardware junkies in an Inquirer article: Vista reactivation.

Demerjian is no Linux fan. He wrote, "I will say that none of my desktops run Linux now. I am a marginally disgruntled Windows user that could become quite gruntled if Microsoft backed off on its stupidities."

Microsoft's chief stupidity, as far as Demerjian is concerned, is its "licensing and the activation/DRM infection." In particular, "Microsoft, in possibly the most shortsighted move in the company's history, decided to lock Vista down to the first PC it is installed to and not allow you to move it legally. If you call it up, whine and lie, you can socially engineer a few reactivations, but technically this is a license violation. I won't do that."

The long and short of it is that if you change out your motherboard, or make other unspecified changes to your hardware, Vista will stop working. For users like Demerjian, who are always testing or playing with new PC hardware, this makes Vista the next best thing to unusable.

To legally keep up with Vista, Demerjian estimates it would cost him $57 a day to keep Vista running on his systems. Besides his main work machine, he has seven other work PCs "all with legitimate XP licenses. Vista will work for none of them. Ubuntu, Redhat, Mandriva and Xandros will, while Novell is not an option any more because of patent stupidities."

For Demerjian, "It simply is not worth it anymore, I can't use Vista." Before now, "I had no reason to switch, but Microsoft has given me the choice of becoming a criminal or going to Linux."

So he, for one, will be switching to Linux in a few days.


-- Steven J. Vaughan-Nichols



Do you have comments on this story?


Talkback here

NOTE: Please post your comments regarding our articles using the above link. Be sure to use this article's title as the "Subject" in your posts. Before you create a new thread, please check to see if a discussion thread is already running on the article you plan to comment on. Thanks!



(Click here for further information)


7 Advantages of D2D Backup
For decades, tape has been the backup medium of choice. But, now, disk-to-disk (D2D) backup is gaining in favor. Learn why you should make the move in this whitepaper.

4 Legal Reasons to Control Internet Access
The Internet is obviously a valuable resource for many organizations. However, many are exposed to legal liability concerns because they fail to control Internet access. Learn if you're safe in this white paper.

Rapidly Resolve J2EE Application Problems
Whether you are in the process of building J2EE applications or have J2EE applications already running in production, you must ensure that they deliver the expected ROI. Learn how in this white paper.

Load Testing 2.0 for Web 2.0
There are many unknowns in stress testing Web 2.0 applications. Find out how to test the performance of Web 2.0 in this white paper.

Build Better Games Online
For the game infrastructure providers, life is complex. Making money from games has become more complicated. Why? Find out in this white paper.

Building a Virtual Infrastructure from Servers to Storage
This white paper discusses the virtual storage solutions that reduce cost, increase storage utilization, and address the challenges of backing up and restoring Server environments.

Gaining Faster Wireless Connections with WiMAX
Welcome to what is quickly becoming the hyperconnected world where anything that would benefit from being connected to the network will be connected. Learn more in this white paper.

Is Your Desktop a Security Threat?
The new wave of sophisticated crimeware not only targets specific companies, but also targets desktops and laptops as backdoor entryways into those business’ operations and resources. Learn how to stay safe in this white paper.

Increasing SAN Reliability by 100 Percent
Storage area networks (SAN) are a strong part of storage plans. Learn how to increase your reliability and uptime by 100 percent in this case study.

 



Got a HOT tip?   please tell us!

ADVERTISEMENT
(Advertise here)

Also visit:
• eWEEK's Linux center
• Dev Shed
  and, our 'evil twin'...
• Microsoft-Watch.com


Latest Linux-Watch Posts

• Linux -- not yet photo-friendly
• Microsoft buys additional Linux support
• SFLC publishes GPL compliance guide
• Linux switch vendor sued over GPL
• Judge Kimball rules -- the sequel!
• Microsoft tactics push India toward Linux
• Bell, SuperMicro sued over GPL
• "Business intelligence" software goes GPL
• Will Atom bomb?
• LF Summit videos posted
More Linux-Watch posts

DesktopLinux headlines:
• Summit debuts for Linux end users
• "UbuntuLite" reviewed
• Linux in the SME
• Linux: not yet photo-friendly
• Linux to gain anti-virus software
• Linux gains backup utility
• Testing Lenny
• HP offers Linux on low-end mini-notes
• Dell shipping five Hardy Heron systems
• IBM pushes "Microsoft-free" desktops
More DesktopLinux news

LinuxDevices headlines:
• Wind River buys Mizi Research
• Home automation panel runs Poky Linux
• "Green" integrated PC runs Linux
• Intel acquires Linux distro developer
• Linux Space Cube ready for blast-off
• Nettop is "almost fanless"
• Tutorial sounds alarm for Nokia tablets
• CG Linux distro supports multicore MIPS64
• Embedded Linux guide updated
• Patent dispute threatens GPS imports
More LinuxDevices news

Dev Shed Dev Shed
Powered By Dev Shed


Linux vs. Windows?
•  in the enterprise
•  in gadgets & devices

Linux conquers smartphones!

...read all about 'em




news feed

Home  |  News  |  Forum  |  About  |  Contact
 

Ziff Davis Enterprise Home | Contact Us | Advertise | Link to Us | Reprints | Magazine Subscriptions | Newsletters
Tech RSS Feeds | White Papers | ROI Calculators | Tech Podcasts | Tech Video | VARs | Channel News

Baseline | Careers | Channel Insider | CIO Insight | DesktopLinux | DeviceForge | DevSource | eSeminars |
eWEEK | Enterprise Network Security | LinuxDevices | Linux Watch | Microsoft Watch | Mid-market | Networking | PDF Zone |
Publish | Security IT Hub | Strategic Partner | Web Buyer's Guide | Windows for Devices

Developer Shed | Dev Shed | ASP Free | Dev Articles | Dev Hardware | SEO Chat | Tutorialized | Scripts |
Code Walkers | Web Hosters | Dev Mechanic | Dev Archives | igrep

Use of this site is governed by our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. Except where otherwise specified, the contents of this site are copyright © 1999-2008 Ziff Davis Enterprise Holdings Inc. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission of Ziff Davis Enterprise is prohibited. Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds. All other marks are the property of their respective owners.