[driftdiver]

hmm, or you could have a legal version of windows

[Star Traveler]

You can stop that from happening by putting their web/IP address in your “Hosts” file and block it... :-)

[DonaldC]

I like windows7 generally, but don’t care much for some of these types of features. I am pretty happy with ubuntu, but M$ indirectly pays the bills...hehe

[ml/nj]

a pair of big, burly guys barge into your house

Yeah. That's just like having the computer do some checking when one of those (usually useful) automatic updates runs when you have decided to shutdown your computer.

ML/NJ

[VastRWCon]

bump for later

[Sloth]

You then notice that the wallpaper on your PC has turned black, and these strange notifications keep popping up urging you to "come clean."

I had this happen on a netbook with XP installed. I bought it used so for all I know it could really have been a pirated copy. Anyway, it was annoying enough that I just wiped it and installed Ubuntu NBR instead.

[smokingfrog]

Normally, this is not an issue, but if you make any changes to your system - update or change the bios, install a different CPU, etc. Microsoft might think your copy of Windows has been installed on a different computer system, and may show up as a non-legit copy when it “checks in.”

I had this happen with Microsoft Word. Changed some stuff in my Bios, and then couldn't get Office Update to work because it says Word hasn't been registered. But then when you try to register, it says it HAS been registered. So you end up having to uninstall and reinstall. It's a hassle, and you would think they could come up with something that would work better.

[FLAMING DEATH]

Using Ubuntu 9.10 here.

I control my PC.

Best part is, right now, I am running Ubuntu from a 32GB USB drive. So, I can move from place to place with no worries of Microsoft spying on me. Plus, with 32GB of space, I have plenty of room to store documents and files. It is truly like carrying my computer in my pocket.

I can even run Ubuntu at work without leaving a trace on the machine I’m using. Then, when I get home, I can boot up to the exact same desktop at home that I do at work and all my files are there. I can use the same USB drive on my work PC, my laptop at home, and my netbook.

And, once it boots, it is indistinguishable from a full HD install. Runs at full speed (maybe even a bit faster) and works just the same.

[UB355]

I’ll stick with Vista

[Nateman]

I read this stuff as a Linux user and grin. (I made the graphic above with GIMP which is also free.

[Psycho_Bunny]

This has long been the case for many other major software companies. It surprises me that MS waited this long.

I still don't like it, though.

The authors hyperbole makes him sound ridiculous.

[CORedneck]

Can you say Linux or Mac OS X ?

[chrisvw]

I know what I am talking about and the only why one can fight piracy is to take the content sown

-

we must use a service like Online Media protection
(http://om-p.com)