Explain WGA to a non techy

re: Explain WGA to a non techy

David Overton — Sat, 15 Sep 2007 16:03:24 GMT

Why are you trying to explain the technical aspects of WGA to a non-techie? I explain it like this:

WGA:

1) Lots of people try to steal Windows - they love it more than the other operating systems they could steal, so people work hard to enable them to not have to buy a legal copy or enter their license key.

2) Since there is no finite solution, Microsoft has a set of technology that enables people to try Vista, but when the trial has ended, they have to buy a key.

3) Pirates try to stop that trial period from ending, so Microsoft regularly updates the software that detects stolen copies of Windows and runs it on peoples PC. Unfortunately, each time this happens, millions of PCs show as being stolen and tampered with. Obviously the pirates try to work out new ways round, so updates continue to come to PCs.

4) If you buy a legitimate copy of Windows you should never suffer any trouble with your legally bought software. We all know that the system has failed once, which is bad, but if you consider that WGA has been around in some form for several years and this is the 1st major glitch, that means that hopefully it will never happen again.

Now I know there is no way to sugar coat the recent failure, but steps have been taken to stop it happening again. WGA does not have a high failure rate and when I consider it against almost every other copy protection scheme I have used, it is the least intrusive and most reliable by far.

ttfn

re: Explain WGA to a non techy

Nathan Williams — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 18:15:52 GMT

To explain WGA first you've got to explain licensing to the average end user. Most don't understand why they can't install Office on every computer in the building. Most understand that they can't legally give the next door neighbor a copy but they don't grasp why that is so on hardware that they own.

re: Explain WGA to a non techy

Bucky — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 20:00:07 GMT

Explain WGA to a non techy

WGA is an Orwellian protection scheme designed by Microsoft in its escalating battle to combat those who would illegally use their software. The current strategy has lead to an increasing amount of friendly fire. As collateral damage mounts among Microsoft’s customers a growing number seek safe haven elsewhere from a conflict they want no part of.

The same explanation could be used for DRM (substitute WGA/software for DRM/music )

re: Explain WGA to a non techy

Dantv — Tue, 28 Aug 2007 06:00:58 GMT

Isn't once enough?

I see no reason why more than one check is necessary.

I also see no reason why any version of windows should cost more that Mac OS/X Tiger at $129. Heck if Microsoft sold Windows for $50 they could drop all this WGA nonsense and sell many more legitimate copies of Windows. I would've upgraded my clients by now. As it stands, the majority are sticking with XP or looking at other OS's.