CREATE BLOG dbo.SqlServer

So this morning, I am at least two things: (1) angry, and (2) fed up. I record my videos on Vista because I want the videos to have the new and fresh look and feel but that's it - I'm going back to Windows XP (and not for the first time). This morning when I logged into my recording machine, it tells me that I might be the victim of software counterfeiting! Oh noes!

LearnItFirst.com is a Microsoft Certified Partner so we have licenses to spare but, since they only give us one key, it gets used on multiple machines - this is common for licensing and not the problem. The problem is that, over the past two years, I've installed Vista on probably ten different machines - virtual machines or "real" machines - and then wiped Vista away because it was awful. Vista has only stayed on two actual machines. So now, the MSFT licensing system thinks I'm a pirate arrrrrr...

I have the same licensing issue with Office 2007 now as well. I've installed Vista, used the product key (and activated it), and then had to uninstall for whatever reason. Of course I installed and activated Office 2007 as well...

Would Microsoft give me my licenses back if I called them? Probably. But from now on I'll have to call in and enter - not kidding - a 45-character provided key and then receive a 45-character product key in return (make no typos!).

No thanks - I just don't need Vista or its headaches that bad. Arrrggh - I'm so fed up with the licensing schemes. I buy a new computer for $1200 and it includes a Windows Vista Home license. I immediately throw that away by installing Vista Ultimate on top of it - one license (Home version) paid for and dumped. Since I've actually bought three PCs, I've purchased three Windows Vista Home version licenses and would up not using them in favor of trying Windows Vista Ultimate. When that doesn't work, I've now burned through (apparently) ten Windows Vista Ultimate licenses.

Back to Windows XP. I have plenty, plenty of licenses and less hassle.

Arrrrrrrrrrr - I'm no pirate but MSFT makes me appreciate the pirates for sure!

# posted by Scott Whigham @ 6:06 AM