Update to WGA Notifications for Windows XP Professional (FYI)

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

Update to WGA Notifications for Windows XP Professional
http://blogs.msdn.com/wga/archive/2...otifications-for-windows-xp-professional.aspx

Description of the Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications application
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/905474

NB: Installing WGA Notifications tool remains *optional*.

Let the FUDfight begin... <eg>

 

[Alias]

Update to WGA Notifications for Windows XP Professional
http://blogs.msdn.com/wga/archive/2...otifications-for-windows-xp-professional.aspx


Description of the Windows Genuine Advantage Notifications application
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/905474

NB: Installing WGA Notifications tool remains *optional*.

Let the FUDfight begin... <eg>

I have yet to understand how WGA benefits someone who knows they have a
genuine copy of XP. For that matter, I have yet to understand how WGA
benefits someone who knows they have a pirated version. From what I can
see, the only entity that benefits is Microsoft, although that's
debatable when you consider the PR lost by accusing paying customers of
being pirates with a new version to do it every year or so.

Alias

 

[HeyBub]

I have yet to understand how WGA benefits someone who knows they have
a genuine copy of XP.

It confirms he has a genuine copy, that he weren't ripped off by a vendor,
or had his copy purloined by the repair shop.

For that matter, I have yet to understand how
WGA benefits someone who knows they have a pirated version.

It doesn't. It sanctions them and shames them into doing the righteous
thing.

From what
I can see, the only entity that benefits is Microsoft, although that's
debatable when you consider the PR lost by accusing paying customers
of being pirates with a new version to do it every year or so.

Well, it certainly does benefit Microsoft, else they wouldn't be doing it.
Duh.

WGA also encourages folk to get legal, punishes the dishonest computer
seller or shop that the user might otherwise rely on, and serves as a
deterrent to rascals who may be contemplating future rip-offs.

Some are offended, true. But no more so than by the gramps character that
checks your receipt as you leave Walmart, or the cop who wants to see your
driver's license before warning you of the dead dog wrapped around your
front bumper.

 

[Alias]

It confirms he has a genuine copy, that he weren't ripped off by a vendor,
or had his copy purloined by the repair shop.

Reading comprehension problems? I wrote, and I quote, "someone who
*knows* they have a genuine copy". The only thing that can happen is a
false positive and the ensuing *hassle* of calling MS and putting the
computer back together again.

It doesn't. It sanctions them and shames them into doing the righteous
thing.

No, they don't download it and tell auto updates to not notify them
about it again and go about their merry way.

Well, it certainly does benefit Microsoft, else they wouldn't be doing it.
Duh.

Actually, it doesn't. It's very bad for PR and when you consider the
BILLIONS MS made before XP and the WPA/WGA mess, it's stupid. People
don't like to be inconvenienced or falsely accused of piracy no matter
how much MS thinks it's a benefit.

WGA also encourages folk to get legal, punishes the dishonest computer
seller or shop that the user might otherwise rely on, and serves as a
deterrent to rascals who may be contemplating future rip-offs.

That might be .000000000000000000000000000000000000000000001% at most.

Some are offended, true. But no more so than by the gramps character that
checks your receipt as you leave Walmart, or the cop who wants to see your
driver's license before warning you of the dead dog wrapped around your
front bumper.

Very bad comparisons. A better comparison was the false positive the USA
Homeland Security scanners got when they stopped Senator Ted Kennedy for
being on the terrorist list.

Alias