Buy PC Without an OS... Get a Visit From MSFT? 639
sebFlyte writes "'Don't sell PCs without operating systems or we'll send the boys round.' That seems to be the general message coming out of microsoft's antipiracy unit, according to ZDNet. While MS seems to accept that people might want to get hold of PCs without Windows so they can put Linux on them, they don't think that's a good enough excuse. "We want to urge all system builders -- indeed, all Partners -- not to supply naked PCs. It is a risk to your customers and a risk to your business," says Microsoft. The FSF has given this policy short shrift, saying: "It looks like a private sniffing service which is supposed to spy on these who do not want to pay the Microsoft tax anymore. It is an incredible piece of impudence.""
Naked and Risky, sounds like fun! (Score:1, Funny)
Puritans!
it sounds like this.. (Score:5, Funny)
Standard Profit Joke (Score:2, Funny)
2. Get visited by Microsoft
3. Get sent to federal pound-me-in-the-ass prison
4. ???
5. PROFIT
Re:Headline wrong (Score:3, Funny)
Naked PCs? (Score:4, Funny)
"We want to urge all system builders -- indeed, all Partners -- not to supply naked PCs. It is a risk to your customers and a risk to your business -- with specifically 5 percent fewer opportunities to market software and services," wrote Alexander.
So, since they don't want "naked PCs"...they want you to install a "clothed-source OS" ?
hahahahah
T.Dzubin (submitting as Anon 'cause I've forgotten my login password)
With a little help from their 'friends' (Score:5, Funny)
MS will be able to track purchases, and if it looks like you're building your own systems, they come to mess you up. Afterall, pirates are just like terrorists, except for the eyepatch, the big hat, and the dead parot.
Which risk is worse? (Score:4, Funny)
Well as soon as you install Windows, there is a risk of being attacked and infected. So the risk is about the same.
Re:it sounds like this.. (Score:5, Funny)
Y'mean like putting Windows on it? : p
Fjiords! (Score:2, Funny)
Re:Build your own (Score:5, Funny)
Blame pirates, being suing people randomly/needlessly. There are three possibilities:
1) Sales go up (The pirates were the problem! Let's kill the bastards!
2) Sales go down. (We aren't being harsh enough on the pirates! They're still stealing from us, we need to crack down harder!)
3) Sales stay the same. (The pirates are still pirating as much as they always have, we need to send a firmer message! KILL THE PIRATES!)
By blaming all their problems on the invisible spectre of "pirates" companies can justify virtually any legal action and come out looking fine since, after all, they were just protecting themselves against those damned pirates.
I also nominate myself for the Award for Post with the Most Uses of the word "Pirate."
Blank media anyone? (Score:1, Funny)
microsoft selling insurance (Score:2, Funny)
What about Apple computers? (Score:4, Funny)
About that... (Score:3, Funny)
Re:MSDS -- hilarious typo title! (Score:3, Funny)
MSDS stands for "Material Safety Data Sheet". Its something you have to have around when you have hazardous materials in a workplace. It tells stuff like LD50 values, fire control, etc.
Excellent typo for MSDN!