From: "Geo." 

I was talking about all software that runs on a PC and how in it's quest
for absolute copy protection and the ability to license software only on
one machine Microsoft is now working to make it possible for all ISV's to
tie their software to the physical computer. Throw the computer away, throw
the apps away.

It is a concept that will make it easier for users to run away from windows.

Geo.

"Rich"  wrote in message news:45bbe753$1{at}w3.nls.net...
   Microsoft applications that use activation to limit piracy can be moved
between systems.  I'm not aware of any Microsoft application that is tied
to a specific computer.

   Maybe you are thinking of other ISVs.  I suspect that some expensive
vertical applications (e.g. CAD) might still use dongles or equivalent.  I
have a cousin with some macintosh computers used for point of sale that
were hit by this.  He wanted to replace his old macs with new ones and only
after the new ones arrived did he find the apps didn't move easily.  It
didn't help that apple switched from PPC to x86 as well as made major
incompatible changes in the OS.  The existing apps he had wouldn't run on
the new computer in any way.  He had to update the app three times to
multiple intermediate versions to get the data moved.  I don't remember
what he had to get them approved for the new computer.

Rich

  "Geo."  wrote in message
news:45bbb11b$1{at}w3.nls.net...
  You know, tying apps to the hardware could be a huge negative for MS. I
mean
  suddenly it's not an issue of being able to keep your old software so you
  aren't anchored to a platform or OS anymore. Kinda makes investment in
  applications a non-factor when considering a hardware upgrade.

  Rich, someone needs to ask the folks in charge of Microsoft, "is this
really
  where you want to go today?".. because this is a case where perhaps MS can
  pull it off for the OS (tying it to the hardware) but allowing
applications
  to do this is going to really hurt when it comes to the fickle users
looking
  at alternatives like Mac or Linux. Suddenly those users have to buy new
  application software no matter what their upgrade choices are..

  Geo.

  "Rich"  wrote in message news:45ba5662$1{at}w3.nls.net...
     I would recommend reinstalling any applications and migrating your
data,

     If you have applications that are coupled to the old hardware the OS is
  not a factor.

  Rich

    "Richard B."  wrote in message
  news:prbkr2l32mltbvmuu55d5i83lfh2h5gqqi{at}4ax.com...
    You have your current PC.  You decide to buy a brand new one, one that
    comes with XP preinstalled.

    How do *you* migrate all of your applications, some of which had to be
    activated on that old hardware, to the new hardware with minimal pain?
    Does this really require a corp key for the OS so you can image/move
    everything?

    - Richard

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