Office Piracy Check -- INC --

bringans · 29 Oct 2006 at 08:56

Been expecting this a long time, I think alota people are going to get a little shock.

http://www.techweb.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=193402900&cid=RSSfeed_TechWeb

wizardmaxx · 29 Oct 2006 at 09:03

Lucky I use Open Office then.

Smit · 29 Oct 2006 at 10:36

The article only really mentions for people installing updates and add-ons. I am a genuine MS Office User and have been for years and I have never downloaded an add-on or template from Microsoft Office website before.

Surely they should make it have to validate to install the Office suite in the first place?

aix0 · 29 Oct 2006 at 14:24

wizardmaxx said:
Lucky I use Open Office then.

Open Office all the way

AJUK · 29 Oct 2006 at 14:37

Yep, thanks to Open Office Microshaft can shove their piracy checks where the sun don't shine.

Simon D · 29 Oct 2006 at 17:51

Another vote for Open Office

Memphis · 29 Oct 2006 at 17:56

To those with an objection, surely the only reason to be unhappy about this is if you are running an illegal copy of Office? And that you have essentially just admitted that?

Digital Punk · 29 Oct 2006 at 18:14

Memphis said:
To those with an objection, surely the only reason to be unhappy about this is if you are running an illegal copy of Office? And that you have essentially just admitted that?

All I see is people saying they use the free Open office.

I personally hate all the validation crap, and refuse to run it even though I have licensed software.
Why the **** should I have to prove I run licensed software?
Piracy is not my problem!

Its going to get worse with Vista, and thats why I'm now starting to migrate full time to Linux, which has consumer friendly licensing.

Memphis · 29 Oct 2006 at 21:30

I guess it's just me then that doesn't find clicking a single button a hassle.

I still fail to see why it's something to hate Microsoft for as well. Surely you should blame the pirates for ripping them off?

All I'm trying to say is, why get worked up over product authenticity verification? Us gamers have had to input keys for years now. All Microsoft want you to do is click one button, and the software does all the rest.

Just can't see why I need to get worked up really.

I guess the line "piracy isn't my problem" just about sums it up.

PinkPig · 29 Oct 2006 at 21:43

Memphis said:
I guess it's just me then that doesn't find clicking a single button a hassle.

It's not just you - I don't have a problem with the validation in the slightest. When the product already requires activation, does it make a slightest difference to anyone at the end of the day?

BigBoy · 29 Oct 2006 at 22:06

The Validation doesn't bother me really but why bring it in for a product that is already outdated?

I personally will be changing over to open office along with my switch over to Linux.

marc2003 · 29 Oct 2006 at 22:21

just reading the article and i find this a little hard to believe....

"There's an economic loss to us, of course, but it's amazing how often we find after examining the code [of a counterfeit] that it has been tampered with"

"If it's been tampered with, you have to wonder what else is has been done. There is a certain amount of [customer] protection associated with this."

does this really happen?

Smit · 29 Oct 2006 at 23:46

marc2003 said:
just reading the article and i find this a little hard to believe....

does this really happen?

Not in general nope.
They might change a few things to bypass any security features but that is it.

It's another way to make it sound more important than it really is... The classic is when they say that most piracy is done to aid other criminal activities

I have no problem with activation checks

barnettgs · 29 Oct 2006 at 23:59

Digital Punk said:
I personally hate all the validation crap, and refuse to run it even though I have licensed software.

Why the **** should I have to prove I run licensed software?
Piracy is not my problem!

The irony thing is that people with licensed Microsoft software are unable or having problem trying to install updates yet people running illegal softwares can install updates!

Microsoft must be so strange.

Anyway, give Open Office a try, you'll be surprised how much similar it is to Microsoft Office. Open Office was given 5 stars rating by Computer Shopper and reviewer has said that it would be still worth getting one even if it is not free.

no_1_dave · 30 Oct 2006 at 00:18

marc2003 said:
does this really happen?

Yes it does (i'm not talking warez, i'm just explaining something).
Back in 2002 I downloaded a copy of a popular AV. The download had a trojen in it & the AV had been programmed to ignore that trojan, so for a few months I had a trojan without knowing it. Its only when I tested another AV it said there was a trojan in the old AV. Since then i've bought all my software & wont go near counterfeit stuff.

People who release some things are very skilled programmers & can implement all sorts of things!

jas72 · 30 Oct 2006 at 13:21

open office is great really.

Unless you are a business user I can't see the reason to shell out for MS office anyway over its "free" counterpart.

ste_bla · 30 Oct 2006 at 13:30

Memphis said:
I guess it's just me then that doesn't find clicking a single button a hassle.

When it works fair enough.. but when it doesnt and you have to phone up and they accuse you of pirarcy takes the ****.. thats why i use office 2k and havent "upgraded" since and maybe might go for open office eventually if needbe