On Mon, 29 Oct 2001, Richard Menedetter wrote:

> 28 Oct 2001, Steve <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> 
> [WinXP]
>  S>   But be very careful that you don't delete anything
>  S> that's system essential; i.e., which requires you to
>  S> reinstall the OS.  You'll have to call M$ and not only
>  S> give them your registration code, but also lots of
>  S> personal info.
> Not with the european version. (and IMHO with no version)

  You might be right.  I've read several conflicting
stories, so naturally, I believe the worst.  ;-)
  It does seem that Microsoft has different plans for 
different parts of the world.  In addition, the whole 
activation scheme has been a moving target.  An 
article written in July might not be valid today.

  I still wouldn't want to be in the shoes of the
hapless journalist with screens popping up threating 
to deactivate his computer.
http://www.zdnet.com/anchordesk/stories/story/0,10738,2779746,00.html

  Since I've never owned Windows and never will,
it's mostly a morbid fascination with why all the
sudden flocks of newbies are showing up on the
Linux newsgroups.  Many posts begin with, "Well,
this whole XP thing finally made me decide to look
into alternatives..."

>  S>   Whereas the old license was for one copy running at any
>  S> given time even on multiple machines, the new license is
>  S> for one copy running on one machine.
> I wonder why european union allows the selling of it ...
> IMHO this violates european law.

  I don't know much about european law, but there are
many articles stating that you can't buy one copy of XP
and install it on both your laptop and your desktop,
as was possible and apparently legal with prior versions.
(...as long as you didn't use both machines at the same 
time)

> PS: M$ fears Linux sooooo much, that they have a special offer for the
> technical university students. (were linux is very often used)
> You can buy win 98/me/2000/XP and Office 2000/XP
> for in between 4 (win98) and 6 US dollars for win2000.
> (60-90 ATS)

  Wow!  That does smell desparate.

> But IMHO this will not help them.
> They hope that students will use M$ Server software later in their jobs.
> But why should we, if there is a much better alternative ?

  Because students are more interested in parties
than books, and Windows is just easier?  ;-)
  Seriously, there is a lot to be said for people 
getting comfortable with what they first learn, and 
wanting to stay with it.  Microsoft probably will 
win many followers this way.  :-/

 - Steve
 

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