Windows Genuine Headache

NETWORK WORLD NEWSLETTER: DAVE KEARNS ON WINDOWS NETWORKING TIPS
08/03/05
Today's focus: Windows Genuine Headache

Dear networking.world@gmail.com,

In this issue:

* Why you need to know about Microsoft Windows Genuine Advantage
* Links related to Windows Networking Tips
* Featured reader resource
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Today's focus: Windows Genuine Headache

By Dave Kearns

While the naming of the next version of Windows was the most
covered news out of Redmond last week, another announcement will
probably be of more interest to you and might even cause you
more headaches than Windows Vista.

The company rolled out the drolly-named "Windows Genuine
Advantage" last week. It's a program to ensure that only
legitimate versions of Windows can get updates and upgrades in
an attempt to stop the threat of bootlegged and counterfeit
software which, according to Microsoft, amounts to billions of
dollars in lost sales.

Under this new program, you will be required to register your
software, something many of us skip because it's time consuming
and there's always something more important to do. The system
works by identifying characteristics of a computer system
(software and hardware) and creating a software key that's
stored on the machine and can be read by Microsoft when updates
are requested. The only way to remove the key is to reformat the
hard drive.

Privacy advocates are upset, claiming that this will allow Bill
Gates & Co., to track users, snoop on their computers and do all
sorts of "big brother" type activities. In a story in the
Seattle Times <http://www.networkworld.com/nlwnt4316>, Chris
Hoofnagle, director of the Electronic Privacy Information
Center's San Francisco office, is quoted as saying that he is
"...concerned Microsoft may share its user database with the
government, or limit usage somehow." Microsoft's response is
that it is tracking computers, not people! (How many of your
users share a PC?)

According to a Genuine Windows FAQ on Microsoft's Web site
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlwnt4317> the program isn't about
catching bootleggers and counterfeiters, but to give you the
"Confidence and Peace of Mind" that "Your software is authentic,
properly licensed and supported by Microsoft or a trusted
partner." Well, that will certainly helps me sleep easier!

Expect to have problems with this system if you don't use
different key codes for each installation, if you don't bother
to register your software or if - as happened in Australia a
couple of years ago:
<http://www.networkworld.com/newsletters/nt/2003/0616nt1.html> -
Microsoft's servers go down or develop a glitch.

Eventually, I'm sure, all the bugs will be worked out and the
process will be smooth, easy and efficient. Unfortunately, you
don't get to keep it in the lab and test it - it's being
implemented right now, worldwide. You'd best start checking your
machines now, before you need to install a mission-critical bug
fix.

The top 5: Today's most-read stories

1. Leaked Cisco slides pulled after legal threats
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlwnt4318>

2. Cisco vulnerability posted to Internet
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlwnt4319>

3. Router flaw sparks battle
<http://www.networkworld.com/news/2005/080105-blackhat.html>

4. Google now a hacker's tool
<http://www.networkworld.com/nlwnt4320>

5. Michael Lynn and Cisco: Stepping in front of the freight
train
<http://www.networkworld.com/columnists/2005/080105backspin.html>
_______________________________________________________________
To contact: Dave Kearns

Dave Kearns is a writer and consultant in Silicon Valley. He's
written a number of books including the (sadly) now out of print
"Peter Norton's Complete Guide to Networks." His musings can be
found at Virtual Quill <http://www.vquill.com/>.

Kearns is the author of three Network World Newsletters: Windows
Networking Tips, Novell NetWare Tips, and Identity Management.
Comments about these newsletters should be sent to him at these

respective addresses: <mailto:windows@vquill.com>,
<mailto:netware@vquill.com>, <mailto:identity@vquill.com>.

Kearns provides content services to network vendors: books,
manuals, white papers, lectures and seminars, marketing,
technical marketing and support documents. Virtual Quill
provides "words to sell by..." Find out more by e-mail at
<mailto:info@vquill.com>
_______________________________________________________________
This newsletter is sponsored by Nokia
Empower Your Mobile Enterprise

Nokia believes that business mobility will fundamentally change
the way work gets done-and for the better. To allow the entire
organization to get the most from this paradigm shift in
productivity, Nokia Enterprise Solutions focuses on delivering
increased efficiency through enhanced mobility. Learn more by
downloading this white paper today!
http://www.fattail.com/redir/redirect.asp?CID=109269
_______________________________________________________________
ARCHIVE LINKS

Breaking Windows networking news from Network World, updated
daily: http://www.networkworld.com/topics/windows.html

Operating Systems Research Center:
http://www.networkworld.com/topics/operating-systems.html

Archive of the Windows Networking Tips newsletter:
http://www.networkworld.com/newsletters/nt/index.html
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FEATURED READER RESOURCE
HARD WORK, GOOD PAY

According to Network World's 2005 Salary Survey, network
professionals are enjoying substantial increases in pay,
especially at the highest- and lowest-tier job titles. But are
those increases coming with higher titles, more work or both?
Find out if compensation alone is keeping network professionals
happy in their careers - or is something else? Click here:
<http://www.networkworld.com/you/2005/072505-salary-survey.html>
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