Someone Else

More WGA madness

Well it seems people won't stop complaining about WGA no matter what. Wonder why that is. I would be really interested to break down the list of complainants to find out what portions are made up of the following groups

1. People who'll moan and whine about anything Microsoft do (sorry dudes I meant to write that as "M$" just for you, really I did, then I realised I was older than 15.). And probably use Linux anyway. If you're not actually a customer then you don't have a vote at this table, IMHO.
   
2. People who have been genuinely taken in by 3rd parties who have defrauded both them and Microsoft. I feel very sorry for these people, but their beef is with the people who have defrauded them, not with Microsoft.
   
3. People who have actually broken the EULA terms, intentionally or otherwise. Without getting into rights and wrongs of the EULA, I'm thinking this is the main target of this scheme. If you've broken the terms of the EULA then you've kinda got what you "deserved" (note the quotes before you flame me!). If you don't agree with the terms of the EULA then don't use the software. My suggestion that people buy an Apple Mac if they have no pressing need for Windows still stands.
4. Crackers and software Pirates. who are cracking the Microsoft anti-piracy stuff on purpose. You've kinda made your own bed there, haven't you? This group will continue cracking the software and probably won't be terribly bothered by WGA.
   
5. People who have been victimised by a bug in the WGA code that has falsely accused them of using counterfeit software. A group that is larger than Microsoft want to admit, at the moment. Lots of people in group #2 think they're part of group #5.
6. People who are unaffected by WGA per-se, but who are offended by the very concept. Who feel (rightly IMHO) that they're being treated as guilty until proven innocent every time WGA runs on their system. This is the largest group of complainers, I suspect, and the most dangerous one. Y'see, once customer goodwill has gone, it is very difficult to get it back.
   

The trouble with this software is that it increases the attack surface of Windows. You never improve security and reliability on a system by giving it yet more critical and delicate code to run.

Server Admins - what are you going to do when Microsoft want you to install WGA on your critical server infrastucture? CTOs - what are you going to do when your CEO calls you and asks why her laptop accuses her of being a thief halfway through a demo to some important clients?

A virus writer who wants to really hang a black-eye on Microsoft can go after the WGA subsystem and get double-bubble value for their attack... not only the machines they infect but also the consternation of all other Microsoft customers worried their computer will be taken out by the anti-piracy code being fooled with.

In a desperate attempt to justify their assault on paying customers, Microsoft have started to try and produce things like this 'WGA blog' and this WGA Forum. If WGA concerns you then be sure to visit them and leave constructive comments about how it makes you feel.