any benefit to wga?

Discussion in 'privacy general' started by argus tuft, Feb 21, 2007.

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  1. argus tuft

    argus tuft Registered Member

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    Hi, I was just wondering if there was any benefit whatsoever to installing the latest wga tool? I'm pretty sure that there is already a previous wga installed on my pc (i didn't install windows myself- it came fully updated).
    Is there any reason at all for me to allow this crap to install?
    Assuming that there isn't, how do I remove the yellow icon from my taskbar?
    I tried disabling automatic updates, but then the yellow icon turned red, showing no signs of going away :mad:
    Any ideas? Thanks, argus
     
  2. zapjb

    zapjb Registered Member

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    Whats this new one about? I think the KB # is still the same KB_____5474.
     
  3. farmerlee

    farmerlee Registered Member

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    Are you sure the icon in the taskbar isn't the security center? You can disable it in windows services.
     
  4. aigle

    aigle Registered Member

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    It rather seems security centre and i can tell u, u really should not turn it off.
    Can u post a pic of it? What type of ballon/ alert u get if u put ur cursor over it or on clicking it?
     
  5. argus tuft

    argus tuft Registered Member

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    hi, it is kb 905474...
    I guess it probably is the security centre, when i hover the mouse over it, it says 'updates are ready for your computer. Click here to download the updates. I just assumed that it was a new one, as the yellow shield icon just appeared this morning. Iv had this windows installation for about 2.5 months now, have visited windows update several times, and it's never been available before.
    I'd like to disable security centre anyway, what is the name of the service involved?
    thanks
     

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  6. aigle

    aigle Registered Member

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    It,s autoupdate icon I think.
    If u prefer manual updates, u can disable it.
    Control panel> Security centre> automatic update> and u have 4 options there. Configure as u like.
     
  7. WSFuser

    WSFuser Registered Member

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    if u mean WGA Notifications, I believe u can "hide" it so Automatic Updates wont install it. i forgot how to so though, i think u right-click the update and there should be a hide option.
     
  8. zapjb

    zapjb Registered Member

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    If you uncheck that box. You'll see the options you want.
     
  9. argus tuft

    argus tuft Registered Member

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    ahh... got it. thanks everyone.
     
  10. Mrkvonic

    Mrkvonic Linux Systems Expert

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    Hello,
    No reason at all to install that spycrap.
    Mrk
     
  11. trickyricky

    trickyricky Registered Member

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    I disagree. I love the fact that I can be 100% certain EVERY DAY that my Windows XP Home installation CONTINUES to be genuine and legal.

    I can't wait for the upcoming OGAN (Office Genuine Advantage Notification) so that I can be sure that my version of MS Office is also totally kosher.

    If Linux offered such a tool, I'd switch to it in a heartbeat. Oh wait, I just found this:

    http://www.linuxgenuineadvantage.org/

    Here we go, here we go, here we go...

    :cool:
     
  12. argus tuft

    argus tuft Registered Member

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    ...and I couldn't resist posting this... a high priority update?? high priority for whom, exactly?
    Yeah, like my computer will be at risk until microsoft gets sent re-assuring messages that I'm not a pirate.
     

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  13. Mrkvonic

    Mrkvonic Linux Systems Expert

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    Hello,
    That's one of the reasons why MS will never see a dime from me again.
    Pissing off your customers is the way to go....
    Mrk
     
  14. sukarof

    sukarof Registered Member

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    Just a bit curious, how can your legal and genuine copy of windows become pirated over night without you knowing it? If you know it is legal today what can happen that makes it illegal tomorrow?
     
  15. lodore

    lodore Registered Member

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    by taking it to a bad repair shop and having them replace the legal version of windows xp home with illegal xp pro
    ive heard that story so many times in pc mags
    lodore
     
  16. trickyricky

    trickyricky Registered Member

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    No idea. Ask Microsoft why they think it's possible. All I can think of is that it's possibly linked to future software rental/subscription plans and they are testing it on us. Which begs the question why I should donate processor time and network bandwidth to Microsoft for no charge when I have already paid them for my 100% legal software. That shows quite clearly the arrogant contempt that Microsoft has for their paying customers, regrettably.
     
  17. pugmug

    pugmug Registered Member

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    I never quite understood why people are so down on M$ protecting their product.If you like it and it is legal then use it. If not for either reason then don't.If you had built the o/s and someone came to you for and upgrade would you ask them to prove they bought it first,I would.This happens in all industry, does it not?
     
  18. trickyricky

    trickyricky Registered Member

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    No it doesn't happen like it does with MS. Having to prove ownership is one thing, but having to prove it every day, even if you're not trying to upgrade it, is ridiculous. In no other industry do companies get away with treating their customers so atrociously and survive.

    If you can't see why that is wrong, then fine. I can.

    MS have every right to protect their products, I have no issues with that. But they need to maintain a sense of proportion and not treat all their customers as criminals. I find that offensive.
     
  19. pugmug

    pugmug Registered Member

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    Please state how you would run the show if you owned M$.
     
  20. Mrkvonic

    Mrkvonic Linux Systems Expert

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    Hello,

    Option 1:
    If I ran MS, I would make Windows free for home use... piracy problem solved.

    Option 2:
    Offer incentives to loyal customers. For example, offer software discounts or extra features or such to users who agree to participate in "activation", "validation" or "notification" programs.

    Option 3 - Combined with 1 & 2:
    Seriously reduce the price of the basic product, add functionality per added feature. For example, basic Windows, without any bloatware, US$25. Then, if you want paint, office, browser, you can pay per product...

    Never punish as one wrong punishment of a loyal customer is never worth even 10,000 pirated copies.

    Mrk
     
  21. pugmug

    pugmug Registered Member

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    I am sure the M$ stock holders would love you,lol.
     
  22. trickyricky

    trickyricky Registered Member

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    Drop all DRM and other activation control from all products as it restricts their legitimate use too tightly. Never forget that a PC is a tool and as such you should be able to use that tool in as many ways as you need. If you ever find that DRM and OS activation and control prevent you from doing something reasonable and legal, then those measures are too restricting and are failing to do their job without excess collateral. I guess we're lucky that MS don't have the monopoly on the manufacture of hammers, otherwise you'd have to activate the hammer before you could hit anything with it, and subsequently you'd find many nails that the hammer would simply refuse to hit. And twice a day you'd have to take the hammer back to the hardware shop to have it "activated" and "validated" again. I can just see it now - "What do you want to hit today?".

    Other than that, I have no idea how I'd run MS - I've never been approached to do so and, if I was, I'd spend rather more than a couple of minutes in deciding how to restructure the company and its operations. I just know that as a loyal paying customer, I no longer have faith that MS have my best interests at heart and therefore I am disenchanted and am looking elsewhere. Currently I only use Windows when I have no other option, otherwise my OS of choice is Linux.

    If MS had been more "customer focussed" maybe Windows would still be my first choice, but they aren't, so it isn't.
     
  23. pugmug

    pugmug Registered Member

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    To clear things up a bit if I may.All I am stating is that M$ runs their business their way,not yours or mine.As I posted before if you do not like it,do not use it.I did not like it so I use this and am quite happy with it. http://www.linspire.com/
     
  24. itsmej

    itsmej Registered Member

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    Comment :-
    No it doesn't happen like it does with MS. Having to prove ownership is one thing, but having to prove it every day,

    I agree If i pay fore a item ! than thats mine as i payed for it ,same as a car
    i own it ,(payed FORE) should one phone the company every day who made the car , is it ok to drive ?? No , Understand this You Dont own MS any more ,Its rent a Software
    and you pay for it to have it ,(rent) than you must link for add on's ,thy check you every day or if you So called need a update ,to see you are truly the rentee of there OS..and than decide whats good for you and whats not
    if thy Dont like a program ,its ether disabled ,or simply will not run..if you dont allow the link within a a time limet it will not Run,(OS) if you Dont allow links to there SPY base TO bad your pc will Stop running within There set time ..
    I agree that if you decide to use it Ok Do your thing (regerster it) But that should only be a 1 time thing..
    Still we all differ on this .and good luck for ppl that use Them ..
    i think ppl should Take a good hard look at there So called privacy .Its Not that hot ! thy can use your info as thy see fit ! why ? if you use there Product you agree to there terms !! and i think you should look at the Small print!!
     
  25. Seer

    Seer Registered Member

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    If MS is treating legal customers atrociously, then it's not their fault but the fault of vast majority of illegal Windows users. They are simply trying to create some kind of gap, or better, a war between legal and illegal users in order to destroy the piracy. MS is trying to say to you, trickyricky, that you should not be angry with them as a legal customer, but with those illegal ones. BUT

    Mrk has a point here, but even that doesn't solve piracy problems and you are forgetting that there are also many companies which use pirated software and OSs. Especially in third world countries (like mine). And no matter how low a price you put on a product, there will always be someone who will dig his way to use it for free. But I agree with you Mrkvonic, that your suggestions will greatly reduce piracy issues.
    And please be honest here, do you all pay for EVERY piece of soft on your machine, and have NEVER used anything illegal? I certainly don't :ninja:
    And to pugmug also:

    I believe this is the bottom line.
     
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