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Top 5 Reasons to AVOID WINDOWS XP

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by saint714 1 view

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1) According to the WinXP EULA, by not using Microsoft's "mandatory" activation process, you will be in violation of your license agreement! In essence, you will have an illegal installation - regardless of having paid for licensed software.

2) Software such as WinAmp, RealJukebox, MusicMatch Jukebox, Windows Media Player 7.0, and even CD-ROM-burning software such as Adaptec EZ CD Creator won't run on WinXP. In addition, disk utilities, such as Partition Magic, won't work, either.

3) Several large firms (Xerox, Dial and Motorola among them) have documented proof that WinXP's beta has trashed sus-systetms of their internal networks - problems that were "directly traceable" to use of the WinXP operating system.

4) WinXP will not support USB 2.0 in the product's final (market) release. Instead, the OS will push IEEE 1394 (FireWire, iLink) as the preferred high-speed technology - which just *happen* to be Microsoft partners.

5) WinXP users will have to get new activation codes if they upgrade critical hardware, such as a new hard drive. WinXP will force users to call Microsoft and explain why they need a new code, and *Microsoft* will decide whether your "claim" is valid or not - regardless of the fact that you've already paid a substantial amount of cash for it!

Nuff said?

23 replies

by somchai

Is this updated information? Corporate license should allow bulk installation of XP without headache of activation codes.

by ebob

My understanding is that your MOLP will allow you to install WinXP without putzing around with the BS of activation codes.

Which of course suggests a route for software piracy on a grand scale. The same sort of piracy that the BS activation codescheme was supposed to try to prevent. But then again, Redmond Washington is in prime Marijuana and Magic Mushroom territory, which probably explains Windows ME, too.

by ebob

E.G., IE6, and it's seeming inability to support Quicktime, and similar plug-ins.

Say, wasn't that why you Yanks took Bill and his gang to court? And he was found guilty. And he was told to stop it. And he said "Sure I will".

It's a bit like Hannibal Lecter, having beeen found guilty, elects to "have an old friend" for his last meal, and the authorities oblige.

by admin

this was their last meal....

Here's my organizations top 5:

1) Too expensive.
2) Too expensive.
3) Too expensive.
4) Too expensive.
5) Final service pack is not readily available yet.

by sixfourtykilo

1. This is true for home users, but businesses will be able to by mass licensing that will not require the activation to be sent in.

2. Would you really want to run an older version of Media Player? It runs fine on the OS, additionally, I haven't had ANY problems running ANY CD-burning software except for theirs. I haven't had a single problem running any Real Media stuff either.

3. Did you obtain the information from these corporations yourself? No corporation is going to make the jump to XP. Most of them are still struggling to get on the Win2k bandwagon. I don't think anyone is actually worried whether or not a corporation adopts and OS, most people run a better OS than their company does anyway!

4. The final release supports USB 2.0 and older versions. I have absolutely no problem running USB and as a matter of fact, it runs better than any other Windows!! If they want to support a better hardware solution that they are partners with, then good for them!

5.In fact, WinXP users will not have to get new activation codes if they upgrade critical hardware. What occurs is this: If you have changed 8 or more components in your system in over a 6 month period, you will have to get a new code. Anything less than 8 and you will not need one. If you replace anything in your system, after a period of 6 months, that device then becomes a permanent device and no longer counts as the final 8. I don't forsee myself replacing more than 8 things in my computer...

Get better information...

by michael

No one mentioned the look and feel of XP - You can sue of software has the look and feel of hell, can we sue if it has the look and feel of easter? Honestly, I don't see how this can be labled as a 'business' os, it looks like it was desiened for people emotionally attached to AOL, or a mac for that matter. OH yah, no need to reply, I know you can "loose" the "new look" after you switch 15 differnt things off, I can see how much fun that can be when your planning a mass implimentation on differnt systems.

Just my 5$

by timmitchell

SixtyFourKilo: I can't speak to the rest of your contradictions, but you're off base on #5. Microsoft's own PR staff has stated that product reactivation will be required after the change of 3, not 8, components. In fact, some beta testers have claimed that the installation of some device drivers have caused the product to 'deactivate' itself.

Additionally, the policing of this scam refers to the entire life of the machine... not each 6 months, as you claim. The ID number generated at activation time is a fingerprint, and you can only wander so far off that original fingerprint before Windows XP goes on strike.

As for me, I'll agree with the original message... the maintenance costs of Windows XP far outweigh the (very few) benefits of upgrading. I'll be sticking with Windows 2000 until the service packs stop arriving, and then I'm headed to Red Hat.

by sixfourtykilo

http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/newsroom/piracy/productactivationfs.asp

From: "Top 10 Myths About Product Activation"

Product Activation keeps users from changing or upgrading their hardware.

Not true at all. Users can change or upgrade their hardware. One of the forms of piracy that Product Activation guards against is hard disk imaging. Not all forms of hard disk imaging are illegal. In the case where a pirate copies data from one PC hard drive to another to illegally run the software on two PCs, Product Activation stops that by forcing the copied software to be reactivated. It does so by comparing the hardware on which it was activated to the hardware on which it is now being booted. If the hardware is substantially different, then reactivation is required. If it is the same or similar, then the software will continue to work. Those who upgrade their PC?s hardware substantially may be asked to reactivate. Reactivation for this reason is easy and can be completed by contacting Microsoft to obtain another confirmation ID.

I'm still trying to find the article that said it would be 8 components that were determined over a 6 month period...

640k

by fade

Hello all,

On reason 2 you forgot to mention that winamp, real,..etc dont work for the burning capability. hmm kinda. There is a .dll that you need to copy over from your old system to make them work in XP.
I know it is a problem but its something that will probably be included in the drivers for XP from Roxio and the like.

Another tip. Stay away from the wizards that will try to walk your hand all over the system. Just go directly to what you want to do. ie.. wizard assumes you have dialup and doesnt query for LAN or any other types of connectivity for that matter.

Reason 4 is incorrect. I remember that MSFT first made that statement and then later decided to leave in USB 2.0 support.

How do I know this? Little bird told me XP has gone Gold. XP Pro Coporate edition hit usenet last week. Little bird told me 2 days later what problems it was having.

? for the Saint. I was curious where you found your information. Dont let incorrect data influence your IT decisions. Imagine how the exclusion of USB 2.0 support would drive IT policy toward installed OS's.

P.S. Anyone need an IT hardware/software specialist?

Yours Truly,

Carlos

by spyder_man

No one here has mentioned the increased DDoS threat now possible through XP's raw socket support. Here are some researched facts, courtesy of Steve Gibson of GRC, that I find extremely troubling:

** Windows XP's new support of the full raw socket application programming Interface (API) allows for the creation of fraudulent and damaging Internet traffic. This has never been possible under Windows without first modifying the operating system with third-party device drivers ? which has never been done by malicious programs.

** The security features built into all other raw socket capable operating systems (Windows 2000, Unix, Linux, etc.) deliberately restrict raw socket access to applications running with full "root" privilege. However, the Home Edition of Windows XP executes all applications with full administrative ("root") privilege. Thus, Windows XP eliminates the raw socket safety restrictions imposed by all other operating systems.

** For the first time ever, applications running under the Home Edition of Windows XP ? whether deliberately executed or running as hidden "Trojan" programs ? will be easily able, without modifying the operating system in any way, to generate the most damaging forms of Internet attacks.

(continued in next post -->)

by spyder_man

(continued...)

** Internet attacks launched from security-compromised Windows systems are already common. (Because security-compromised Windows systems are common.) However, the previous Internet API built into Windows, prevented those attacks from being as damaging as those launched by Unix and Linux systems. The sole reason for this difference was Windows' previous lack of full raw socket support (which was a blessing).

** No previous version of Windows (9x, ME, or NT) had, or needed, full raw socket support. Those systems worked seamlessly on the Internet. While there are valid uses for advanced raw-IP packet generation by system level processes (NAT routing, IPsec support, etc.), there is no valid use for raw sockets by end-usersoftware. The only applications are Internet Research or the exercise of malice. Therefore, this new danger is without justification.

** Windows XP's security model, which has been seriously compromised in order to accommodate the needs of Windows 9x legacy applications, will not prevent the wholesale hijacking of Windows XP machines. These compromised machines ? with their needlessly potent full raw socket support ? will be used to attack and damage any chosen Internet user or site.

Microsoft claims that the "real problem" is keeping malicious software out of personal computers. But they have compounded this problem by needlessly making full raw socket support available to all applications. Does anyone else find thistroubling????

Spyder_Man

by juanita marquez

Getting facts from M$ about their own stuff is like believing the wolf when he says he's gone Vegan. I'd rather get my info from surrounding witnesses, especially with M$'s track record for pulverizing attempts at resistance.

Boycottxp.com has links to various interesting articles about the pros and cons of XP, and M$'s monopolistic practices in general, if you can get past the Linux-rabid atmosphere.

by epepke

I'm in favor of the XP activation scheme.

Microsoft got their monopoly status and still to a large extent maintain it because of the sort of piracy that Microsoft claims the activation scheme is supposed to prevent.

I don't believe for a millisecond that Microsoft really is doing this to stop piracy. For one thing, it can't work. I do believe that they are taking a gamble that this scheme will warm up the consumer to an eventual scheme of leasing software. I think that, in order to do this, they have to wrap themselves in the flag of morality, i.e., anti-piracy.

I do not think they are really that stupid. I am beginning to believe, though, that they are just cocky enough to bet the farm on this strategy. Cockiness functions as a stupidity substitute.

I think there is a nonzero chance that they will lose. I think that they may underestimate the power of the consumer market, which may not involve as many dollars as the business market but plays a strong role in maintaining their monopoly.

There is therefore a chance that they may irritate the consumers, who up until now have done nothing to stop Microsoft from defecating on the entire planet, to wake up and pay attention.

The sleeping giant does not like to be woken up, but when it does, look out! The last time it happened big time, we got an end to World War II, the aborted start of space flight, and the computer revolution itself. Then it went back to sleep. It will stay asleep as long as there arecheap consumer yummies.

It's wakey-wakey time again. Treating all consumers as de facto criminals and squeezing them through indignities when they can't even program their VCR's just might do it. I'd like to see this happen, so I am in favor ofthe XP activation scheme.

by juanita marquez

I'm in agreement with most of your statements, up to the point about being in favor of the activation. Yes, people are generally lazy and slumber through matters that should be of concern to them, but the key is reaching them beforehand. In my opinion letting M$ know that we won't waste our dollars on a system that requires activation (and assorted other irritations) by not buying it accomplishes two things:

It is an attempt to make a proactive move, to prevent the average user from accepting this intrusion like a sheep and shrugging it off with an "oh well, it's Microsoft, what can I do"... at which point M$ will have already gotten them ensnared in their grasp, ready to potentially abuse any registered information they receive fromthe signup. Everyone knows M$ is pushing for the "rental" fees in the future that you speak of, perhaps this will slow down the acceptance of that process. People should be informed about all aspects of XP beforehand, instead of buying it and finding out about its oddities later. It is far easier to prevent a forest fire and its damage than it is to try to regrow all the trees.

Secondly, I (or my employers) get to save money. I currently have Win2K installed on my work computer and am very happy with it. I have no need for the few advantages and many disadvantages of purchasing XP. Merchandise manufacture, supply and demand, is driven specifically by whether people take to a product or not, and if we don't take it, it will either disappear or changes acceptable to the user community will be forced to be put in place. Look at the Smart Tag issue - enough furor has been generated that it is currently in limbo instead of automatically being activated.

I'm a firm believer in making noise to effect change. And the cry I'm making now is boycott XP, at least until they make some alterations.

by epepke

I disagree that there is no valid use for raw sockets in user software. Some years back, I ran a team that produced a distributed visualization package. At first, we used IP streams. However, our system was asynchronous and already had a mechanism to handle resends, so we didn't require guaranteed delivery. Switching to datagrams increased network throughput by nearly an order of magnitude.

So, there is a use. However, it's rare enough that it doesn't need to be supported for every single user program.

by sixfourtykilo

http://home.cnet.com/software/0-6688749-8-7007240-2.html?tag=st.sw.806340-1205-6534881.txt.sw_ce

"Expensive extra licenses
The activation antipiracy step prevents you from installing XP on more than one computer, and it's a bit of a nuisance, especially if you don't have an Internet connection set up. Online activation is painless, but the telephone method takes 10 minutes or longer and involves reading and typing about 100 digits. The activation scheme checks the IDs of 10 different hardware components to create a special code for your PC. If your hard drive dies or you change your network interface card or reconfigure more than 5 of these components in your system, you'll have to reactivate your copy of XP. Reactivation is a relatively painless process in which you must call Microsoft, explain your situation, and get a new activation number--not difficult, but it could prove annoying.

Since product activation means you can install XP on only one PC, households with lots of computers are out of luck. Microsoft makes a licensing concession to such home users, but it's a small one. You can buy additional XP licenses at a discount: a paltry 10 percent or so, depending on the retailer ($8 to $12). You'll still pay about $80 each time you want to add XP to another computer. Stingy Microsoft! "

by admin

for anyone to get on the internet. Why not? They do it with radio, TV and most all forms of media capable broadcast. Maybe it's not technology, or "malicious software". Maybe it's that there are a lot of people using bandwidth with no clue about what they are doing. Raw Socks itself can't hurt anybody, but users with little knowledge can be abused easily. Let's see, you don't have a license or know how to use those guns that you kept in the window of a house near the highschool (wouldn't it be obvious if you did understand them you wouldn't of kept them there if you owned them at all?) and now you want to blame Smith & Wesson and possibly Glock for making them capable of *gasp* killing someone?

Although I think there is great potentialfor exploitation here (I mean, sure, it exists in Unix, but how many Nix users are going to let someone run a dDos attack from their box very long?)but who do we want policing that? Why should MS be policing the internet? I sure don't want them to.
Maybe this exploit won't be a bad thing, perhaps many people will give up when faced with the net version of sunspots, skip, and illegal amplifiers that makes citizens band all but unuseable.

by jasoncctc

Check out Steve Gibson's site for the full story.

What I understood is that raw sockets are available in Windows 2000 and XP at the admin level and that, by default, XP sets up the initial account as admin or with admin security rights.

The exploit is based on the assumption that most people won't create a regular user account for normal use. Sure the exploit is possible with Unix because there will always be someone that doesn't want to bother with switching between a login with normal rights and one with root access. XP makes XPloiting altogether too easy.

by admin

I understand the exploit possibilities, and yes, it will prolly b dDos 4r0/\/\ 4311.

But, what I don't get is why we want MS to be responsible for this. It's like saying:"You are the producers of OS's for the uninformed and incapable, so take away anything that an unfortunate could hurt themslves or others with."

Well, I don't see how this is really MS's business. If they set up their own private subscription network with black boxes for the masses in some AOL from hell cooperative project where they could regulate content and stop raw socket use etc. the world would be a better place. The internet wasn't ever designed for massive one government, much less one corporation control of anything. I admire Steve Gibsons skills and enjoy his site and products, but getting MS to regulate the internet is not a slippery slope I want to see started. I would actually prefer government intervention to MS intervention in the real world. dDos as it is with current windows products can fully shut sites down effectively now. Maybe the idiots that buy broadband and don't have any protection whatsoever that participate in dDos even unwittingly should be fined. That's all I was saying. We license cars, guns, radio and TV transmission, dogs, the building of fences and outbuildings -yet we allow completely clueless people free access to the internet. This doesn't really make any sense, now does it?

by jhyde

MOLP is Microsoft Open License Program available to business and other large scale buyers of MS products.

by dawnshump

. . .Have you heard that Windows XP won't work on a computer whose bios is before the year 2000???????? If so, do you know where I can find the documentation?? Thanks in advance.
~dawn

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