Tuesday, January 9th 2007
Vista causes more license confusion
Microsoft's license terms for the retail version of Vista, its latest operating system, have caused more confusion over what the user is allowed to do - this time regarding the number of processors. The terms of the agreement state that the OS can only be installed on a "single device," which is to be expected, however it continues to state that the software may only be used "on up to two processors on that device at one time." What this means for multi-core systems with more than two cores is unknown, but with gaming moving closer and closer to being dependent on more than one CPU, this may confuse gamers. The description of what a single processor means is a bit of a grey area because it could either be argued as an individual CPU unit or an individual core, so no doubt Microsoft will clear up the matter in the near future.
Source:
The Inquirer
25 Comments on Vista causes more license confusion
If you look at the Windows XP Home EULA: and the Windows XP Pro EULA: So once again, this is just someone freaking out about something they think the big bad Microsoft added to restrict users of Vista, that has actually been in affect all along. Am I the only one that actually reads the EULA of software before I install it? Because is sure does seem that way.
This is the whole thing behind Dual Core processors, it was pretty much all invented to get around Microsoft and other software companies processor licensing restrictions. A Single Dual Core processor is still a single processor. Which is why they work with Windows XP Home despite the EULA stating you can only have one processor.
These require a lot of processing power in the form of multithreaded(ness). And besides doesn't your e-penis like triple if you have 4 cores?
I would take that more seriously if they were throwing free copies of Vista. However, that will not be the case and if they want to attract a larger consumer base they must show that they improved on the current OS. The EULA is not exempt of this. Therefore, this defense is mute.
What, are you just mad that I rained on your "lets bash Microsoft Vista" parade? So you decide that if you just say that the argument that the same restrictions applied to earlier versions of Windows and no one gave a rats ass is mute, then it really is?
The same restrictions applied in Windows XP and no one cared, but suddenly they are included in Vista and it is a big deal? Give it a rest.
You also attempted to ignore the fact that when a lot of enthusiasts got upset regarding the original Eula regarding number of Vista uses what happened? They changed it did they not? Therefore, your post is inaccurate on the merit that the Eula can be change at any time. :rockout:
The case is not the same with this, something you seem to fail to realize.
My issue isn't with the fact that the EULA can be changed, it is that it doesn't need to be changed. You all are making a mountain out of nothing, this isn't even a molehill. They are reporting it like it is a major deal that will affect everyone that is going to use Vista, it isn't. It won't even affect most enthusiasts. The fact that they upped the restriction for Home to allow for 2 processors is actually a vast improvement IMO.
This wasn't news when it was in the Windows XP EULA, and it isn't news now. And something tells me that if Jimmy had known that the same restrictions(actually they are more strict) were in the Windows XP EULA he wouldn't have reported this as news.
You have yet to manage a single good point in your argument. You can't even answer my question about how the EULA should be improved.
Every on of your posts, including your original post, has been dead wrong.
OH NOES!!!1! He ISN'T bashing Micro$oft! PROPAGANDA!!!
2) Stop the arguing or I'll get a mod to close this thread (not directed at any one person, a general message)
People with QX6700s aren't forced to buy extra copies of XP because they have more than 2 cores, I don't see why people expect anything different from Vista when it says the same thing in the EULA. There is no reason to revise this.
That is what I am trying to say. THIS IS NOT NEWS.