NationStates Jolt Archive

So windows is more or less forcing me to add this update that basically makes sure my version of xp isn't pirated. Mine isn't, but I'm not sure how I feel about being forced to install a program that's just going to check up on me and make sure that I'm not doing anything illegal. If I have a program on my machine, it should do something useful for me.

It's almost enough to make me want to go to linux... well, that and consoles are awesome.

Microsoft is a big enough company that they can afford punish each and every one of their customers personally. They're finally acting upon their very personal hatred of their consumers. It's the new frontier of customer service.

So windows is more or less forcing me to add this update that basically makes sure my version of xp isn't pirated. Mine isn't, but I'm not sure how I feel about being forced to install a program that's just going to check up on me and make sure that I'm not doing anything illegal. If I have a program on my machine, it should do something useful for me.

It's almost enough to make me want to go to linux... well, that and consoles are awesome.
Because Microsoft is out to make money, not a good product. A good product tends to get you more money, except in the IT industry where the opposite is true.

So windows is more or less forcing me to add this update that basically makes sure my version of xp isn't pirated. Mine isn't, but I'm not sure how I feel about being forced to install a program that's just going to check up on me and make sure that I'm not doing anything illegal. If I have a program on my machine, it should do something useful for me.

It's almost enough to make me want to go to linux... well, that and consoles are awesome.

When was this?

*Has XP*

Microsoft is a big enough company that they can afford punish each and every one of their customers personally. They're finally acting upon their very personal hatred of their consumers. It's the new frontier of customer service.

*doorbell rings*
NMS: "Hello?" *gets slapped in face*
Microsoft: "Take that, customer maintaining our monopoly!" *runs to next house*
NMS: "But I use OSX!!"
:D

When was this?

*Has XP*
Windows Genuine Advantage. The advantage is you are allowed to download more of their buggy software.

What's really funny is Linux can pass a Windows Genuine Advantage test running IE on Wine.

So windows is more or less forcing me to add this update that basically makes sure my version of xp isn't pirated. Mine isn't, but I'm not sure how I feel about being forced to install a program that's just going to check up on me and make sure that I'm not doing anything illegal. If I have a program on my machine, it should do something useful for me.

It's almost enough to make me want to go to linux... well, that and consoles are awesome.

I believe you can choose to not install the validating tool and skip the updates. I have my gripe against MS, but if you want to download updates from them...it is only fair that they check if pirated installs are getting updates too.

When was this?

*Has XP*
It was an update a couple of weeks ago, it would have asked you whether you agree with it or not, but if you actually read through the agreement thing it states that basically this update won't do anything useful for you except allow you to get future updates once it makes sure that your version of xp isn't pirated.

Windows Genuine Advantage. The advantage is you are allowed to download more of their buggy software.

What's really funny is Linux can pass a Windows Genuine Advantage test running IE on Wine.

Oh, OK then... *Whew*

Yeah, no more updates on this machine, I hope.

I believe you can choose to not install the validating tool and skip the updates. I have my gripe against MS, but if you want to download updates from them...it is only fair that they check if pirated installs are getting updates too.
Well, yes, I understand that, but I legitimately bought the damn os (well, it came with my computer, same difference) and I don't like the idea of a program that just takes up space and reports back on what I do.

It was an update a couple of weeks ago, it would have asked you whether you agree with it or not, but if you actually read through the agreement thing it states that basically this update won't do anything useful for you except allow you to get future updates once it makes sure that your version of xp isn't pirated.

Oh, double OK then.

(I don't recall getting it)

And triple OK for it not restricting "alternatively obtained" programs.

Well, yes, I understand that, but I legitimately bought the damn os (well, it came with my computer, same difference) and I don't like the idea of a program that just takes up space and reports back on what I do.
[et voice]XP Phone Home[/et voice]

Windows Genuine Advantage. The advantage is you are allowed to download more of their buggy software.

What's really funny is Linux can pass a Windows Genuine Advantage test running IE on Wine.
Yeah, it is this genuine advantage crap.

Well, yes, I understand that, but I legitimately bought the damn os (well, it came with my computer, same difference) and I don't like the idea of a program that just takes up space and reports back on what I do.

1. It doesn't take that much space and it only runs one (I believe)

2. u can uninstall the tool after the update.

1. It doesn't take that much space and it only runs one (I believe)

2. u can uninstall the tool after the update.
Will I have to install it again every time I want to get a new update if I uninstall the damn thing though?

So windows is more or less forcing me to add this update that basically makes sure my version of xp isn't pirated. Mine isn't, but I'm not sure how I feel about being forced to install a program that's just going to check up on me and make sure that I'm not doing anything illegal. If I have a program on my machine, it should do something useful for me.

It's almost enough to make me want to go to linux... well, that and consoles are awesome.

You mean the genuine advantage tool thing-a-ma-jig? You can deny that you do realize.

Will I have to install it again every time I want to get a new update if I uninstall the damn thing though?

yeah.

I know...it sucks.:p

You can go thru the details of the proposed updates and see if u really need them...that's one way u can minimize this hassle.

Can someone tell me what the process's name is when the OS runs the update stuff just in case I do have it?

You mean the genuine advantage tool thing-a-ma-jig? You can deny that you do realize.
It claims that it won't let me get any future updates if I deny it... and while I'm not certain that every update for my OS is useful, it's probably a good idea to keep it updated anyways, just in case something useful does come out.

It claims that it won't let me get any future updates if I deny it... and while I'm not certain that every update for my OS is useful, it's probably a good idea to keep it updated anyways, just in case something useful does come out.

not all the time..i don't think u need those xml blah blah updates..

u might wanna look into the nature of the update..the size it is going to take etc...b4 getting the update..

i do that all the time...but then i am paranoid...and i do...umm...not so legal stuff with my comp.. :p

yeah.

I know...it sucks.:p

You can go thru the details of the proposed updates and see if u really need them...that's one way u can minimize this hassle.
Ugh,... if I had a second computer I'd totally be changing this one over to linux right now so I wouldn't have to deal with this. However, I can't really afford to have my only computer out of commission while I figure out how to install linux (plus where would I back up all my wonderful crap?)

Ugh,... if I had a second computer I'd totally be changing this one over to linux right now so I wouldn't have to deal with this. However, I can't really afford to have my only computer out of commission while I figure out how to install linux (plus where would I back up all my wonderful crap?)

Heh heh… crap -> backup. :D

Ugh,... if I had a second computer I'd totally be changing this one over to linux right now so I wouldn't have to deal with this. However, I can't really afford to have my only computer out of commission while I figure out how to install linux (plus where would I back up all my wonderful crap?)
Move all your crap to /dev/null. It is wonderful for backups.

not all the time..i don't think u need those xml blah blah updates..

u might wanna look into the nature of the update..the size it is going to take etc...b4 getting the update..

i do that all the time...but then i am paranoid...and i do...umm...not so legal stuff with my comp.. :p
I have the updates set so I have to approve everything (I didn't for a while but then I got sick of having my computer reset itself while I slept because there was some random update... oddly enough, it doesn't claim that it needs updated as often as it had been resetting itself since I did this) so I do pick through them and all that.

I don't do anything illegal with my computer (unless you count downloading music and videos which I don't share because I'm a bitch), but I still don't like being spied on anyways.

Heh heh… crap -> backup. :D
Well, there are a lot of files and the like that aren't particularly vital or required or anything, but I would like to keep and all that. If I had an external hard drive it would be easy 'cause I would just plop it all on there, but that doesn't solve the issue of having my only computer out of commission until I'd get it all done... my bf recently installed gentoo on his macbook and had a series of issues that required him to look things up online (but then gentoo is supposed to be a nightmare to install in general anyways).

It claims that it won't let me get any future updates if I deny it... and while I'm not certain that every update for my OS is useful, it's probably a good idea to keep it updated anyways, just in case something useful does come out.

I've denied it each and every time and I get updates still. Something else is haywire there for you. I know my copy is legal, I bought it legally, I don't need a stupid "tool" to tell me that and invade my privacy. Yes that's a big "F YOU" to Vista.

Well, there are a lot of files and the like that aren't particularly vital or required or anything, but I would like to keep and all that. If I had an external hard drive it would be easy 'cause I would just plop it all on there, but that doesn't solve the issue of having my only computer out of commission until I'd get it all done... my bf recently installed gentoo on his macbook and had a series of issues that required him to look things up online (but then gentoo is supposed to be a nightmare to install in general anyways).
You have a person capable of installing Gentoo, and you think you might have problems? Do you realize what kinda of tech support you bang every night?

Well, there are a lot of files and the like that aren't particularly vital or required or anything, but I would like to keep and all that. If I had an external hard drive it would be easy 'cause I would just plop it all on there, but that doesn't solve the issue of having my only computer out of commission until I'd get it all done... my bf recently installed gentoo on his macbook and had a series of issues that required him to look things up online (but then gentoo is supposed to be a nightmare to install in general anyways).

No… I meant like a toilet…
*sense of humour dies of shame* :p

You have a person capable of installing Gentoo, and you think you might have problems? Do you realize what kinda of tech support you bang every night?
Well.... we don't bang every night... and the installation was a nightmare for him. Well, that's how he described it a number of times throughout the installation process and it took him a week solid. Plus he did it on a mac so it's a bit of a different deal apparently (and if I was going to install linux I wouldn't want to basically make him do it for me.)

When was this?

*Has XP*

AND you paid for it!

*scoffs*

EDIT: Install update. Windows dobs you in, sometimes even if you did buy it. Then it stops updating itself, gets infected and dies. Now that's what I call a "genuine advantage"! :p

So windows is more or less forcing me to add this update that basically makes sure my version of xp isn't pirated. Mine isn't, but I'm not sure how I feel about being forced to install a program that's just going to check up on me and make sure that I'm not doing anything illegal. If I have a program on my machine, it should do something useful for me.



I've heard that update is necessary to get all later updates. But you can take it back out or nobble it somehow so it doesn't "phone home" to MS.

I'll just go check. MS might have redone it.

EDIT: As far as I can tell, all Critical security updates can still be installed even if your installation fails the check. You should still be able to run GenuineCheck.exe on a legit machine and use the unique number it generates on other machines. I'll keep looking, because I've got an XP installation to do myself.

This was my problem - I wanted to install English XP OS on a laptop that was originally bought with Chinese OS yet I didn't want to fork out $120+ for what's essentially a couple of CDs and some packaging (could go into a long rant about the expense of XP remaining ridiculously high despite it being phased out).

So, working in China at the time (year ago), I bought off the street.

So despite my computer having a valid key to some extent in that it was bought with valid XP, clearly written on the underside of the laptop, it wouldn't be accepted with the different language and I therefore used the hacked key that came with the software, not only could I not receive updates but, every time I loaded up, there was a warning that took about a minute before I could hit my user name.

I also couldn't buy a new key in China because of online credit card limits at the time,regardless of the fact that the key is also freaking expensive.

I argued my case with MS but, and quite fairly I suppose, they stuck to the line that I should either pay for the key or pay for the CDs.

So I went Ubuntu on their ass instead.

I don't really blame MS but I felt I was a valid user who was being gimped for money.

There's no problem with installing the Genuine Advantage - it only checks once and you shouldn't see it again - it's only a problem if you have illegal software.

Google is really not my friend on this issue. A great silence since WGA came out in '05. I think it's been toned down since the first version which phoned home once every 24 hours.

You can remove it with a registry edit, but that takes you back to where you were before you ran it. If you want to avoid it (forgoing all but Critical updates), just don't let KB 892130 (WGA) or KB 905474 (WGA notification) install.

WGA is spyware and "trust Microsoft" is some kind of oxymoron for me.

These sites could be useful. They seem to be legal (no executable cracks):
http://windowsxp.mvps.org
http://www.windowssecrets.com

Well.... we don't bang every night... and the installation was a nightmare for him. Well, that's how he described it a number of times throughout the installation process and it took him a week solid. Plus he did it on a mac so it's a bit of a different deal apparently (and if I was going to install linux I wouldn't want to basically make him do it for me.)
Gentoo makes people scream. The installation is not just hard, it is nonexisting. All you get is a command line from where you do everything. Then there is (K)ubuntu. It is user-friendly. It has a real installer, its installation takes 2 (maybe less) hours, it does not think GUIs are ballast. Don't let Gentoo scre you. there are easier distros. and - yeah, your friend did learn a lot about Linux during the installation.

http://windowsupdate.62nds.com/

'nuff said.

Gentoo makes people scream. The installation is not just hard, it is nonexisting. All you get is a command line from where you do everything. Then there is (K)ubuntu. It is user-friendly. It has a real installer, its installation takes 2 (maybe less) hours, it does not think GUIs are ballast. Don't let Gentoo scre you. there are easier distros. and - yeah, your friend did learn a lot about Linux during the installation.
Yeah, he did say that he learnt a lot through the process.
And I was looking at possibly using Xubuntu, which is supposed to be fairly light and not take up a lot of room. My computer isn't the newest thing out there (though not the oldest, 5 years) and maximizing efficiency seems like a good idea.
I still have the issue that I don't know where I can store everything... I might hold off on this until I've finished my job for the summer and hopefully I'll go visit my parents for a week or so and drag my computer along, then I can use their computers for storage so I don't have to lose my data or use copious amounts of cds to hold it.

So windows is more or less forcing me to add this update that basically makes sure my version of xp isn't pirated. Mine isn't, but I'm not sure how I feel about being forced to install a program that's just going to check up on me and make sure that I'm not doing anything illegal. If I have a program on my machine, it should do something useful for me.

It's almost enough to make me want to go to linux... well, that and consoles are awesome.

Microsoft wants to try and prevent customers from stealing their software, and thats enough to make you turn to linux? :confused:

Microsoft wants to try and prevent customers from stealing their software, and thats enough to make you turn to linux? :confused:
I'm an honest customer and I don't appreciate being spied on.

Also, I've used linux at school and I liked it. Console windows are pretty sweet.

I'm an honest customer and I don't appreciate being spied on.


Automatic updates are not spying. I don't think they are actually collecting any information on you other then whether or not your version of windows is authentic.

Automatic updates are not spying. I don't think they are actually collecting any information on you other then whether or not your version of windows is authentic.
Well, I disabled automatic updates because my computer would randomly reset itself while I slept and I would lose stuff I was working on. Now I get to deal with some security warning in the bottom left corner of my screen all the damn time (well, it was there before because I refuse to use window's firewall, although they like my anti-virus). And I don't like that there is a program on my computer that is necessary for future installations, but doesn't do anything apart from send information about me back to microsoft.

Well, I disabled automatic updates because my computer would randomly reset itself while I slept and I would lose stuff I was working on. Now I get to deal with some security warning in the bottom left corner of my screen all the damn time (well, it was there before because I refuse to use window's firewall, although they like my anti-virus). And I don't like that there is a program on my computer that is necessary for future installations, but doesn't do anything apart from send information about me back to microsoft.

Well i'm not sure why you wouldn't want your firewall on. You can disable it for specific programs. Anyway, if you must I believe you can get rid of that update thing.

Well i'm not sure why you wouldn't want your firewall on. You can disable it for specific programs. Anyway, if you must I believe you can get rid of that update thing.
I have a firewall on, it's just one that's different from the windows firewall so it complains about it.
And it's not the updates that I have a problem with, it's this geniune advantage crap that I need in order to get the updates.

So windows is more or less forcing me to add this update that basically makes sure my version of xp isn't pirated. Mine isn't, but I'm not sure how I feel about being forced to install a program that's just going to check up on me and make sure that I'm not doing anything illegal. If I have a program on my machine, it should do something useful for me.

It's almost enough to make me want to go to linux... well, that and consoles are awesome.

"Strength is irrelevant. Resistance is futile. We wish to improve ourselves. We will add your biological and technological distinctiveness to our own. Your culture will adapt to service ours."

-Bill Gates

At least I think he's the one who said that.

"Strength is irrelevant. Resistance is futile. We wish to improve ourselves. We will add your biological and technological distinctiveness to our own. Your culture will adapt to service ours."

-Bill Gates

At least I think he's the one who said that.
Resistance isn't futile. I can always go to linux. haha.

Resistance isn't futile. I can always go to linux. haha.

But you just proved my point. ;)

Resistance isn't futile. I can always go to linux. haha.
Sorry, Microsoft beat you to it.

But you just proved my point. ;)
Not really... I don't have to use microsoft products if I don't want to, so resistance to being spied on is not futile.

Gentoo makes people scream. The installation is not just hard, it is nonexisting. All you get is a command line from where you do everything.

You say that like it is a bad thing. I hate all of those GUI installers that don't give you enough control over what gets installed and how your system works. Your first Gentoo install will be an experience, but you will instantly realize it was worth it. My first Gentoo install took about 8 hours and was fairly difficult (less than a year ago). Now I can complete the whole process, fully customized to my needs in about an hour to 90 minutes, and I have only installed it on 4 or 5 machines.

It appears overwhelming at first, but after about 2 weeks, I found it very comfortable. And, unlike Windows, you can choose what GUI you want (or none), what cron daemon (does Windows even have something like Cron?), what system logger you want (again, does Windows even have similar?), what software you want (almost all of it free!), and what kernel you want. You can also run a very lightweight system on a 486 with only 64MB of RAM (or less if you use an alternative liveCD).

You say that like it is a bad thing. I hate all of those GUI installers that don't give you enough control over what gets installed and how your system works. Your first Gentoo install will be an experience, but you will instantly realize it was worth it. My first Gentoo install took about 8 hours and was fairly difficult (less than a year ago). Now I can complete the whole process, fully customized to my needs in about an hour to 90 minutes, and I have only installed it on 4 or 5 machines.

It appears overwhelming at first, but after about 2 weeks, I found it very comfortable. And, unlike Windows, you can choose what GUI you want (or none), what cron daemon (does Windows even have something like Cron?), what system logger you want (again, does Windows even have similar?), what software you want (almost all of it free!), and what kernel you want. You can also run a very lightweight system on a 486 with only 64MB of RAM (or less if you use an alternative liveCD).
This would be my first linux install ever and I'm not the most computer-savvy person out there and don't really have a week to work on installing an operating system so I was thinking that something easier to install would be better.
I'm not really sure how to pick these things though... there are so many options!

Makes me glad I use 98!

Microsoft has abandoned it therefore they don't bother messing with it.

That and the new viruses crash on it.

This would be my first linux install ever and I'm not the most computer-savvy person out there and don't really have a week to work on installing an operating system so I was thinking that something easier to install would be better.
I'm not really sure how to pick these things though... there are so many options!

There's a great book on Linux by Naba Barkakati. It's about 11 years old, but for the commands and that, it still works and teaches a lot of tricks as well. There's another book called Running Linux by O'Reilly (makers of all sorts of computer books) that'll teach you what you need to know. Hell, I used that for my first Linux install. Which I don't have anymore, but it works.

There's a great book on Linux by Naba Barkakati. It's about 11 years old, but for the commands and that, it still works and teaches a lot of tricks as well. There's another book called Running Linux by O'Reilly (makers of all sorts of computer books) that'll teach you what you need to know. Hell, I used that for my first Linux install. Which I don't have anymore, but it works.
I could look into that... my mom works at a bookstore and gets a nice discount so gettign new books isn't such a hassle. :p

I could look into that... my mom works at a bookstore and gets a nice discount so gettign new books isn't such a hassle. :p

The first one's so old it's probably not in stores. My dad found it at a trash dump, actually.

The first one's so old it's probably not in stores. My dad found it at a trash dump, actually.
Well, to be honest I only took down the name of the second one because I figured that something that was 11 years old wouldn't be likely to be around anymore.. so it works out. :P

I had to do this a while back. I'm surprised you're just doing that now.

Well.... we don't bang every night... and the installation was a nightmare for him. Well, that's how he described it a number of times throughout the installation process and it took him a week solid. Plus he did it on a mac so it's a bit of a different deal apparently (and if I was going to install linux I wouldn't want to basically make him do it for me.)
Still, he got it installed. Something like Ubuntu or OpenSUSE is going to seem insulting to him.

Hehehe~

My computer was guilting me the same way, but I got rid of it ^.~

"Strength is irrelevant. Resistance is futile. We wish to improve ourselves. We will add your biological and technological distinctiveness to our own. Your culture will adapt to service ours."

-Bill Gates

At least I think he's the one who said that.
No, no, no. That was Steve Ballmer.