Sharing Windows-is that bad?

originale · 08-08-2006, 07:58 PM

Not sure where this should go- but what is the general feeling about using a personal copy of Windows and loading onto a second, family computer. I was going to do this with my son's computer because I didn't have the $300 to buy a new version of XP. Somebody told me I was a thief and commiting piracy by doing this. That I would be responsible for stock prices to go down, programmers to lose jobs etc etc. Even though I think MS is a monopolistic bully who has been charged under the competition act etc. And Gates isn't a guy who likes to share....

Anyway, wondering what the general view is. This person told me he couldn't associate with me anymore because of my thieving character. Is what I was going to do regarded as really that bad? I didn't realize.

**Midnight Tech** · 08-08-2006, 08:09 PM

It is piracy...but you may be able to contact Microsoft and purchase a second license at a reduced rate. Anyways, XP won't activate on the second machine.

originale · 08-08-2006, 08:15 PM

Same as people downloading songs? But millions are doing it- and everybody thinks that is not so bad. I haven't done it but I don't understand what the difference is. Now the record companies are trying to find a way to get the stuff out cheaper because they know it's inevitable. But how come software never seems to come down in price? Just curious.

sinclair_tm · 08-08-2006, 10:38 PM

it has to do with the licensing. by buying and installing the os, your agreed to only use it on one computer. just like when you get a drivers license, you agreed to drive no faster than the speed limit, even if you where in a hurry. and if you get caught, there are penalties. each computer must have a unique code, and those codes must come from ms, after you paid for them. just because everyone else seems to be doing it doesn't make it ok. "if everyone else jumped off a cliff, would you?" so don't do it, and lets not be talking about it anymore, because it is illegal, and that makes it against the forum rules.

08-08-2006, 07:58 PM	#1 (permalink)
originale Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 441 OS: winXP	Sharing Windows-is that bad? Not sure where this should go- but what is the general feeling about using a personal copy of Windows and loading onto a second, family computer. I was going to do this with my son's computer because I didn't have the $300 to buy a new version of XP. Somebody told me I was a thief and commiting piracy by doing this. That I would be responsible for stock prices to go down, programmers to lose jobs etc etc. Even though I think MS is a monopolistic bully who has been charged under the competition act etc. And Gates isn't a guy who likes to share.... Anyway, wondering what the general view is. This person told me he couldn't associate with me anymore because of my thieving character. Is what I was going to do regarded as really that bad? I didn't realize.

08-08-2006, 08:09 PM	#2 (permalink)
Midnight Tech Admin/Head GreaseMonkey/Igor's alter ego/Grand Exalted PoohBah Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: SC Posts: 2,638 OS: Windows XP SP2/Windows 98SE/Fedora Core 6/RH 7.2 with Autopoint	It is piracy...but you may be able to contact Microsoft and purchase a second license at a reduced rate. Anyways, XP won't activate on the second machine. __________________ Please post all questions in the appropriate forum. Questions sent by email or PM will not be answered. Sharing my life...with my Imzadi! Interested in Trek gaming? Check out the Dynaverse! Proud supporter of the Carolinas Aviation Museum. If we have helped you in any way, please donate to keep TSF up and running!

08-08-2006, 08:15 PM	#3 (permalink)
originale Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 441 OS: winXP	Same as people downloading songs? But millions are doing it- and everybody thinks that is not so bad. I haven't done it but I don't understand what the difference is. Now the record companies are trying to find a way to get the stuff out cheaper because they know it's inevitable. But how come software never seems to come down in price? Just curious.