Now, I’m not a big fan of Micro$oft, but CNN is reporting a really dumb move they are making. According to the article,
Microsoft Corp. will combat piracy of its flagship operating system by requiring Windows users to verify that their copy of the software is genuine in order to receive timely updates and security fixes, the world’s largest software maker said Wednesday.
By mid-2005, the article notes, “authentication will become mandatory in mid-2005 for all users seeking to access software updates, downloads and security fixes for Windows.”
Dumb. Dumb. Dumb.
Now, it is one thing to make registration mandatory to get new products, add-ons, games, etc. But security fixes. Imagine the havoc all those security-problem riddled bootleg copies out there will create… and the bad press it will give Microsoft. Better to have the security patch simply make the bootleg copy blue-screen. But to leave them with known vulnerabilities is just poor form.
Does anyone know how to say “Profit before Community” in Latin? Should be Microsoft’s motto.
