IT Professionals

Vista Licensing – Get Over It

Posted by on Oct 26, 2006 | 6 Comments

Before I get started here, let me be first to explain that I am not taking Microsoft’s side on this. Rather, I would like to point out that if the licensing requirements of Microsoft Vista are not to the user’s liking, then don’t buy it.

Seriously, give me a break. Microsoft has made no one upgrade; it’s a personal choice. And if someone feels strongly enough about it, they can simply stick with XP or force themselves into looking at something like PC-BSD or Ubuntu.

With that said, Linux and BSD are not for everyone, and I am sensitive to that. This is where continuing with XP makes a lot of sense. And even though moving away from Windows is not a realistic option for everyone, the licensing requirements of Vista are a simple fact of life. We, the end users, have enabled Microsoft to maintain a strong enough market share to do whatever the heck it pleases. MS fans can sing and dance all they like in the company’s defense, but it is the end users that are responsible for this power made available to the software giant, not Microsoft.

Look, the OS will be released. It will work as promised and you will get exactly what you paid for. For those who prefer Windows, I am sure that it will prove to be an OS that will meet with your needs with shining colors. Then again, the same can be said of XP as it is right now, available today. Speaking for myself, I have taken to other OS options. But my choice to switch was not because of the licensing. Why would it be? The licensing is quite straightforward, take it or leave it.

  • Douglas Hornick

    We’ll be able to continue to use XP only up to the point that Microsoft lets us. When they’ve decided it’s enough they’ll unfortunately stop supporting it like the others.

  • Michael Pearson

    the comment from Mr. Hornick above is one that i logged in here to make. along with the fact that eventually, third party programs will make Vista a minimum system requirement, just as some programs have done with XP. that’s the ONLY reason i run XP on two of my four boxes–98SE is still on the other two.

  • Todd Macoubrie

    “Then don’t buy it”, how many times has this argument been used when all else fails. All this amounts to, is a excuse to not take a stand. What would you say if the auto companies would require that you have your car serviced every 1500 miles or the car would be rendered disabled until you brought it to the dealer. What if auto insurance companies required a speed limiter to be installed in order to have insurance. This limiter would only allow a top speed of 50 during day light hours and 35 during night time hours. Unless you lived in a large metropolitan area, how would the “then don’t buy it” work then. You need a car, your job requires you to travel or you have to drive to get to work. You know the car does not need service every 1500 miles, what do you do? Now image if the auto companies stopped supporting cars like microsoft does OS’s, Now your forced to buy a car with the operational limitations. You mention Linux, do you really think that is going to work for 90% the users. I know several folks that have upgraded systems 2 or more time while having XP installed. I know folks that have had system failurs which prompted a new system or systems. Do you think most college or high school kids have the knowledge to support linux? I don’t. I work for a large Semi Conductor company and most of what I would call “tech savy” folks wouldn’t have the first clue how to support linux. If Microsoft was only had 30% market share and there were other equivalent choices, then I could swallow your “then don’t buy it” mentallity, but this is not the case and having a large market share (aka: monopoly) requires MS to play be a different set of rules. Next time you turn up the heat at home, think what would happen if the gas company was not regulated and started creating unrealistic regulations for homeowners….Let’s see how your “then don’t by it” philosophy work for you then. Weather predictions call for the next week to be coldest on record…..Burrrrrrrr.

  • Steven C. Leach

    How Can you say ” Microsoft has made no one upgrade; it’s a personal choice.” When Microsoft has time and again stopped all support on various Products Windows 3.1, Windows 98, Windows Millenium, Windows NT, and Windows 2000. What are we supposed to do !
    Be Vulnerable to the various malware that gets newly developed and will not be stopped by security updates ?
    Please either choose your words more carefully, or relaize that ordinary people are AFRAID of unsupported software, and feel FORCED to upgrade, or else be exposed to any malware that is coming down the pipes.

  • David Brown

    How do I not buy Windows Vista when I buy a new PC? Will I still be able to buy Windows XP? I agree with you that if more of us decided not to buy Vista and instead bought something else then Microsoft would stand up and listen. But, I disagree with you that we should not stand up and make our thoughts known. If that were the case, then where would your publication be.

  • John

    Microsoft does force us to upgrade to Vista, by eventually stopping support to XP. Vista pricing is ridiculous and unfair. Vista EULA is also absurd. Microsoft is a monopoly. Our government is too stupid and weak to really force Microsoft to act fairly, properly and legally.

    Vista does not do more than XP. Vista is being released so Microsoft will make more money.

    Vista is a poorly written OS, and it is being rushed and released way before it is ready. We the users are going to be the guinea pigs. I am sick and tired of Microsoft’s poor and unfair behavior.

    We ALL should say enough is enough and send a clear and strong message to Microsoft that we are not going to take their sh*t anymore, and not buy Vista. I certainly am not going to buy Vista, and I hope enough strong and smart users will join me.