Re: [Sheflug] Linux in Schools

[Andrew Basterfield <xxxxx [at] xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

On Fri, 26 Apr 2002 10:27:19 +0100
Damian Bamforth <damian.b [at] btinternet.com> wrote:

> hi all,
> 
> 
> Craig Andrews wrote:
> 
> > The basic gist is that you don't have to _buy_ a PC with Windoze. They
> > couldn't enforce that. They make it sounds like they can, but they
> > can't. However, if you buy a PC which also happens to have an OEM
> > Windows license, you are not allowed to transfer that license to
> > another individual without also transferring the hardware. Neither are
> > you allowed to transfer the hardware without the license.
> >
> > So, although you  don't have to buy a machine with Windows, if you do
> > you aren't allowed to seperate the two.
> 
> hmm... a couple of points. if you sell the machine, and the buyer
> installs linux, and then sells the machine, does the windows software
> and licensing still have to be transferred with the machine?

Either transfered with the machine or destroyed I presume.

> point number two. What is the 'Machine' or the 'Hardware'? The complete
> system including all peripherals? The motherboard? The chip? What if the
> owner decides to sell the motherboard? Must the license be transferred
> with this hardware? Suppose the owner sells the machine piece by piece,
> until the case is all that is left? Or maybe until the monitor is all
> that is left? Which piece of hardware must the license be transferred
> with? Or is there something in the T&C's saying no part of the machine
> may be sold separately?

The hard disk is where Windows XP lives. If you want to upgrade your disk
you will need a new key from MS to re-install. The configuration of the
rest of the computer is unimportant. I believe MS will supply you with a
limited (fixed) quantity of installation keys should you need to
re-install.

If MS & US Government gets it's way you won't be able to buy PC
components, just a complete sealed PC pre-installed with Windows (as open
source software will be illegal). If (when) Windows gets corrupt you will
be forced to take it to the the vendor to re-install and presumably he
will inspect your disk for unlicensed software in the process.

We live in an increasingly disposable society. Just look at cars over the
last 5 years - most new cars sold are basically a leased package with
insurance and maybe servicing thrown in. Second hand cars are worthless
and crushed much younger than they used to be. Microsoft doesn't want you
to go messing around re-installing and upgrading older PCs - you should
throw them away and buy a brand new one which will come with the latest MS
goodies pre-installed. Guaranteed hardware sales for the manufacturers, a
cut of the cake for Microsoft, more tax for the Government, more eye candy
for the customer to disguise the fact there is no new functionality.

Maybe I'm getting old & cynical :)

--Andrew

-- 
sparc sun4c stuff : http://www.lostgeneration.freeserve.co.uk/sparc
personal email    : bob at lostgeneration dot freeserve dot co dot uk
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