First off there is no "corp edition." It is simply XP Pro with a different key algorthym, which uses corp keys that do not require activation. Obviously because corp users do not want to manually install XP on every single system and activate.
As posted in the other thread about this no matter how hard they try to make it there will always be those who have this mission to undo whatever copy protection is implemented, whether it be software or media for their own gratification. There also will be those who do not want to pay excessive amounts of money and some who cannot afford to buy a new windows every two years to simply have an up-to-date stable computer. Like kids in college, or whatever. Anyhow MS has stated their main goal in implementing product activation was to stop "Casual piracy" where someone in your family had the new windows CD and passed it on to you, all his friends and rest of the family. They've maintained they cannot stop "hardcore pirates" and they have mainly succedded in stopping casual piracy, and XP has so far been record setting in sales for MS. The changes with the SP1 and its activation scheme are actually lessoning the tight restrictions, making it easier for generally everyone and still covering their ass and making sure copies that weren't paid for don't get the update. Honestly, looking at SP1 no loss really... and anyone with any P2P program and google can figure out how to update to SP1 even though it's pirated. MS is winning really, they're selling more copies then ever.. and making alot of money from it. As well the piracy rate of XP is very very low, as casual piracy as the example given above has dwindled down dramatically.
Also realize we're not just talking about college kids or computer nerds downloading windows off the net, or grand-dad passing off his CD to his family. In asia and other countries there is a thriving black market for computer software and media where mass amounts of counterfeit copies and even boxing are made and sold for only a few USD on the streets. So microsoft and others implement these schemes trying to thwart off those types of piracy.
And yes, if everyone in the world were perfect and grandpa didn't freely pass out their windows/office disks or criminals disn't mass produce counterfeit copies, product activation wouldn't have come about. Realistically we all know people are not perfect, and Microsoft most likely is very happy with the results of product activation, just look at the sales! They're so happy, they're even being nice and easing activation restrictions a bit.. so be happy!
)
You guys can argue ethics and redundantly post back and forth, but be realistic - if people want it and don't want to pay for it, they will hunt it down and get it for free. Yes it may be wrong, regardless it won't stop. Murdering is wrong, world hunger is wrong, politicians stealing our tax money thus costing us to pay more is wrong, but unfortunately it won't stop or just go away - why even beat a bush that is already dead?
Microsoft doesn't have to charge what it does for windows, and especially what it does for the office suite. Alternative OS and office suites cost much less, and most will serve the exact same needs the MS products do. Most people find it hard to feel sorry for Microsoft and its trillions of dollars in assets and the billions of dollars in sales it has annually. MS is no where near red ink, so they won't be getting this pity speech "Geeez.... Poor microsoft and it's hundreds of billions of dollars! No wonder they charge $600 for this barely revised office suite. Golly gee Mary, it would sure be wrong not to buy another copy for my laptop" LOL.. gimme a break.
Yes product activation is needed. Piracy won't go away, product activation has helped slow the rate of piracy of MS XP titles. Sales are phenomenal for them this year, and you can tell they're happy with the revamp of activation in XP SP1 and the lessoning of the restrictions for valid copy holders. That's it I'm done... I have tons of work to get done.
"Opinions are like assholes, everyone has one"
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram