[ Outline ] · Standard · Linear+ Everyone to get Upgrade to WinXP SP2, (even illegitimate copies)

[captbics]

The story is at Computer Times

Both legitimate and unlicensed users of Microsoft's XP operating system software will be able to download the Service Pack 2 security patch for free. Microsoft's increasing concern over information security has translated into its decision to bite the bullet and make its upcoming SP2 (Service Pack 2) security patch available to all users - including those using pirated copies of its Windows XP software.

"We haven't explicitly done anything to SP2 to exclude it from pirated copies," said Microsoft group product manager Barry Goffe. The United States-based executive was interviewed via telephone. This is unlike SP1 (Service Pack 1), which had features to prevent users with pirated copies from downloading it. In SP2's case, the mammoth 80MB to 250MB patch can be downloaded and installed on computers running both legitimate and pirated copies. Users can also request a free CD copy of SP2, although shipping charges could apply, something which the company has yet to finalise, said Mr Goffe.

"It was a tough choice, but we finally decided that even if someone has pirated copy of Windows, it is more important to keep him safe than it is to be concerned about the revenue issue," he added. He admitted, however, that it is more than altruism that helped Microsoft come to this decision.

captbics

This post has been edited by captbics: May 9 2004, 01:59 PM

[Blue_Muppet]

all in all an interesting issue. you guys have pretty much covered all the thoughts floating around about this one, but to be honest, im with DK.


M$ claiming they are releasing a 'piracy-friendly' service pack makes me very suspicious. They have never been accomodating to piracy before, regardless of security threats present, so why start now?

its very easy to say '...it is more important to keep him safe than it is to be concerned about the revenue issue...' from their position, and mean the complete opposite, and although im not sure how, what if they include an attack in the service pack, which fzcks with your XP if it is not legit, but only after install?

knowing M$, they would propabaly fzck it up, and thousands of users with legit copies of XP will find themselves dead in the water. M$ fzcking up their own sh!t is even funnier than some loser nerd kid writing a virus to do it.



meh, im gonna treat this the way i would treat Billy Gates saying 'Windows is now freeware': stand back and watch what happens before i jump on board...


cheers for the article though :)