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Dis
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Las Vegas, Nevada
Feb 2000 time: 21:23
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edit: wrong thread
Last edited by Dis on 15-11-2002 at 08:29
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Billster2k3
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Dallas, TX
Nov 2002 time: 23:23
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quote: Originally posted by planetfall
If you want to complain about EULA's, complain about the new MS licensing scheme where locked into a set computer where MS has all your build/configuration information. |
This is way off-thread so I'll be brief but I feel compelled to respond. As a software trainer for a major OEM pc-maker I went to a 40-hr class on WinXP at MS and one of the things we learned was how the product activation works. Technically planetfall, you are correct. They do, to a degree, have your system config info. There is a string sent that contains your network card's MAC address, CPU/RAM/HDD size, etc. This string is stored with the CD-Key on your COA. No personal information whatsoever is sent. Therefore, unless you submit the VOLUNTARY registration (an entirely separate process from activation), they have no idea who you are and all they do have is a database that says that, somewhere in North America, a system with "X" HW components has the Windows with "X" CD-Key. That way when you try to activate the same CD-Key on different hardware (another pc in other words) it comes back and says, "sorry, no can do." Maybe I am weird but I have no problem with a company taking measures to keep people from stealing its products.
But then again, that's just my opinion, I could be wrong.
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Billster2k3
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Dallas, TX
Nov 2002 time: 23:23
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Actually, there is a catch there. The MAC is one of the highest scaled components so changing your NIC will probably force you to have to reactivate by calling MS and saying, "hey I replaced my NIC so I need to reactivate." Memory, sound card, video card, etc. are much lower on the scale so adding RAM or upgrading your video card will probably not force reactivation but doing both might. The thing here folks, is that the people who man the phones at the activation line have been instructed to be very lenient about allowing you to reactivate as long as you have a reasonable explaination as to why your config has changed. Is it a bit of a hassle? Yes. Is it absolutely unreasonable? I, personally, don't think so. The Microsoft Corporation estimates that it loses about $30,000,000,000 per year to piracy. That's real money even for them. They openly state that they know they will never stop hardcore professional software piracy, what they are looking to stop is casual piracy (Bob buys a copy of WinXp and thinks it's pretty cool so he installs it on his wife's pc and burns a copy for his neighbor and a buddy at work. Bob has just committed 3 acts of piracy (probably unwittingly) and cost MS $600. The new activation policy stops that). Again, I apologize for going off-thread but most of us use MS products and this is a controversial topic that I think it is important for folks to understand. In order to not tie up this thread with MS Product Activation stuff, if you have specific questions on it feel free to e-mail me at wmflorey@mindspring.com. Microsoft also has a very thourough FAQ on product activation at http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;302878
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Billster2k3
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Dallas, TX
Nov 2002 time: 23:23
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planetfall, in response to your points:
1: I agree
2: I agree, but Microsoft obviously doesn't (which is their right)
3: I agree to that also but again, no personal info is sent. Neither is what CD you may have in your drive. It is just basic system config info at time of activation so I don't find it overly intrusive.
4: I agree
5: I wholeheartedly agree! I just felt a need to set the record straight so we could move past it and continue the discussion at hand.
So, to get back on track....I agree with those who have pointed out that it seems that the good people at Firaxis are doing the best they can....I haven't had the guts to try MP yet (I have a ways to go to master the singleplayer game before I let you guys start beating up on me) but I love the PTW enhancements to the single-player game and the patch has definitely squared away some minor bugs. I would much rather have PTW now and have to wait for patches for some elements of the game than have to wait until 2003 to get any of the PTW features. Imagine if we had had to wait until 1.29f came out to get our hands on Civ3. I don't know about you all but I have enjoyed countless hours of civ'ing ever since I opened the box last year and I would hate to have lost that by having to wait until the game was "perfect" to get to start playing it.
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