IP: Re: Windows XP WPA code reverse-engineered ?

[David Farber <dave () farber net>]

> From: "Steve Wolfe" <telomere () codon com>
> To: <farber () cis upenn edu>
> Subject: Re: Windows XP WPA code reverse-engineered ?
> Date: Tue, 10 Jul 2001 13:06:47 -0600
> X-Mailer: Microsoft Outlook Express 5.50.4522.1200
>
> > > Their conclusion is that there's
> > > less to
> > > worry about than we potentially thought.
> > >
> > > http://www.licenturion.com/xp/fully-licensed-wpa.txt
>
>   Actually, there's just as much to worry about.    Three giant problems
> jump to mind:  Convenience, cost, and product support.
>
>   Changing any three of the hardware items that it checks will force you
> to re-activate your product.  While changing three hardware items seems
> like a lot,  It really isn't.  Changing a motherboard alone, in a lot of
> cases, would require a re-activation, as you would have just changed the
> HDD controller, the video card, and the network controller - and of
> course, if you want a new CPU with that motherboard, that's another item
> that's changed.
>
>    One of the problems that hasn't been addressed is cost to the consumer.
> Microsoft's call centers are going to be very busy for quite a while,
> activating new installations and re-activating installations when folks
> upgrade their hardware.  Who's going to pay to fund that call center?
> Yep, you and I.
>
>     Then again, what happens when Microsoft decides not to support XP any
> more?  Then you're in a lot of trouble if you need to re-install or
> upgrade your hardware.  All in all, this is a great thing for Bill's
> pocketbooks, and a very bad thing for consumers.  Why is it that those two
> go hand-in-hand so often?
>
> steve



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