14 Jun 06 19:45, Michiel van der Vlist wrote to Roy Witt:

 >>>> RW> They'll even go after unlicensed Windows 95/98 users,
 >>>> RW> even though they don't support that OS anymore.

 MvdV> Which is ridiculous.

It's still their property, even if it's on your computer. As for 98, MS
stopped supporting it today and there will be no help from them with
updates and patches that used to keep the hackers from exploiting all of
the flaws in its code. More later.

 WD>>> Overhere the collecting and registering of such information
 WD>>> imnsvho would clash with our privacy laws.
 RW>> You'd have a hard time proving it, as they don't keep a database
 RW>> there. Redmond would be that site.
 MvdV> If *they* want the cooperation of local authorities in prosecuting
 MvdV> anyone, *they* would have to prove that the information was
 MvdV> gathered in a legal way...

It's a very easy thing to do. As you know, there are people out there
scanning domains all the time...all MS has to do is scan yours and then
through any open port you may have (21, 110, 24554), they can write their
own utility to make your system ID itself to them (that includes the
registration number). All they need to do is look at their registered user
database and if that registration number is registered to you, you're off
the hook. Otherwise, you're in the same boat with Felten.

 WD>>> Reverting to snitching techniques in my, again nsvho, is a sign
 WD>>> of weakness.
 RW>> Take that up with Microsoft. They seem to think that thievery is a
 RW>> sign of being a uro...
 MvdV> They may yet overplay their hand and make the customers turn to
 MvdV> linux...

Microsoft gives away free patches and updates to their OS software all the
time. You (not literally) only have to pay for it once and then they
support it for many years thereafter. Win98 has been around for 9 years
now.

So, if you've got a pirated copy of a MS OS on your PC, what has MS lost
by prosecuting you? You weren't supporting them by buying their products
anyway.


Roy
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