I think microsoft is overprotecting their software, why have an online verification system when you could have something else. It's rediculous. Like that time I had bought a valid windows xp copy and tried to validate it online, it worked the first time but then around a month after when i needed to download a program, it said i had to validate again, i tried and it said my key was already validated. Now that is definately overprotecting their software.
Like someone said before, it isn't even that good, it is just popular.
One day I think windows will fall and the open source oses will be way more popular

-HellFire

Agreed. They are talking about protecting features that Gnome and OS X, Windowmaker (X11 window manager), etc. have had for years now. Heck I remember that being avaliable in NextStep in the early '90's and in '98 or so, I had them under Linux. The underlying problem is that have set up a market requirement to have Windows and charge much too much for it.

Overdoing anything is not good for you. Even overeating = obesity, overprotection = loss of customer = Windows is now screwed for life.

xboxrulz

The funny thing is - I used to use legal Windows copies. Yes, you read that right - used to. Why? Because I felt it was the right thing to do. (Mind you this was back in the day of Win 3.11 etc) Honestly, I have found it useless, it doesn't provide better features or as Microsoft likes to put it - enhanced security. That is all BS, why? Because they're "Validation" uses ActiveX - one of the first things I disable in Windows because of the gaping security hole. Why would I run a legal windows? For the updates? Heck, some of the updates have killed my computer - forcing me to reinstall. Yes, I update my windows, but only the bare necessities. Usually I disable a heap of stuff.

Their "excellent" method of Genuine Checks is a laugh, anyone with some common sense can bypass it. But aside from that, who in a right mind will allow his/her computer to have a constant watchful (HA) eye on its software? Soon, we'll see Windows providing us with those wonderfully detailed errors (sadly that is sarcasm - or hopefullness LOL) when we install software such as the Gimp, Blender 3d or anything that is OpenSource. I mean, if they can see our windows key, then it's not very much harder to detect installed software, browser cookies, history, chat logs etc etc. I ain't keen on all of that.

On the topic of Aero look only being available for download - nice move there. The "new and improved special look" was the main feature of the new windows - for not tech savvy users that is, tech savvy users know to steer clear of Vista. I see no reason to try Vista. Oh, I have a 64bit CPU, so I should use or Win Xp Pro 64 or one of the "bigger" versions of Vista. (probably costing 300 or so for a system that still will not utilize the full power of my cpu, while Linux - FREE - does exactly that)

truely said moonwitch, but do you still use Windows or have you completely moved away from Windows to Linux or other free operating systems?

xboxrulz

i dont know, im using windows vista 2006 beta 2 and its genuine it must be according to you because it has the aera look and includes everything you said it doesnt include, being translucent windows, animated flipping between open programs, and icons that show thumbnails of opened files.

so i dont know what i did but i have a legidimate copy of windows vista