MS is still working on this... I had my pc all "genuined" out, and then suddenly I was being asked to download a NEW "Genuinecheck.exe" file. It does pretty much the same thing as the old one, I don't know what they changed.I remember the day BEFORE this WGA crap was instigated, I was forced to download and run a genuinecheck.exe file to get some MS download I wanted to try. My computer passed, or rather my version of XP p[assed muster, so I was able to get what I wanted.
The day after that, we all had to install the WGA thing to get any downloads at all, it was a forced download. Except for Automatic Updates, which continue to send the files to you automatically.
So, after the first WGA installation, I went to microsoft download website and I downloaded several things I needed, MDAC 2.8, etc. It said "Need WGA to get it" but it gave it to me with no further checking.
The day after THAT, there was a NEW Genuinecheck.exe
This one, makes you download a page called "legitcheck.hta" and when you open it, it verifies you.
(RANT)
Anyway, this is just encouragement for hackers and crackers to go to work, and I predict that there will be all new pirated versions of XP. I have always hated this activation CRAP the moment I saw it: It is a freakin INCONVENIENCE.
When I PAY MONEY for something, I expect that I can INSTALL the thing... And RE-Install it when I need to, at My convenience, not anyone else.
The same thing with Programs that require some kind of activation: Well, I would just rather not use those programs. And I don't. ALSO, and most importantly, it is all related to how much something costs:
An expensive specialty program, like, Maya, Lightwave, Pro Tools: all of these programs have extensive protection: But thay all cost more than 500 Bucks! Especially when you install "Plug Ins" - these cost even more, and to top it off, they are OS and Program version Specific. I EXPECT stuff like this to be protected. But an OPERATING SYSTEM?
What is SO different TODAY, than 20 years ago, when all you had to do was stick a 5 1/4" Floppy into a drive and boot up to DOS, and then stick your program disk in there, and do your work?
WHY do these bastards, first they make it so that there are NO alternatives but to get thier POS Rickety OS, and THEN they put all kinds of police bells and traps into it that start honking "Hacker! Hacker!" at the slightest bump of the computer?
And If I did not have to deal with Programs that run exclusively under the Windows Shell, I wold just dump it all and start using some form of Linux.
(/rant)
Look, just give something a serial number, and it is pretty much good enough.
7-28-2005 7:01pm
