New WGA In Vista SP1

Paul

A new version of Windows Genuine Advantage will be included in the first service pack for Windows Vista according to several reports from different tech websites.

The new changes includes reminding the user to buy a legitimate version for every hour which comes from a bubble in the desktop and the wallpaper of the desktop will also turn to black.

Microsoft mentioned that they fixed two holes which allowed pirates to create fake copies.

The first service pack for Vista will be released in the first few months of 2008.

[Via Technibble]

You know pirates are always going to find a hole around some of these DRM protection and program protection. I know they have the right to but isn’t to much protection a bad thing. Let’s consider the Bad things, shall we?

  • Slows System down
  • BSOD
  • Programs don’t work properly
  • WGA might make legit copies bad?
  • Windows will become even more unstable!

So what part of Microsoft thinks this is a good thing. I do not!! I know it will make Vista even more unusable with all this protection!!

Vista pirated half as much as XP, Microsoft rejoices

Paul


While it admits it’s not possible to pin down an exact number, Microsoft has let out word today that it estimates the counterfeit rate of Vista to be about half that of XP, a figure that it seems to be more than pleased with. Of course, one could interpret those numbers in slightly less positive ways, but Microsoft claims the sharp dip in piracy is due to Vista’s amped up authentication system, which it says is a “proven and effective way to combat piracy.” To come up with the numbers, Microsoft apparently relied statistics based on Windows Genuine Advantage validation failures, as well as other unspecified internal data. As TG Daily notes, all this follows Microsoft’s announcement of revised anti-piracy measures in Vista SP1 and, specifically, some big changes to the aforementioned WGA feature.

[Via Engadget]

Oh brother I guess that means Vista is getting popular I hope not. I am still having some trouble with the OS. Oh well I thought people would like to know!!

Schedule Startup Programs with Startup Delayer

Paul

startup_delayer_cropped.jpg
Windows only: Freeware application Startup Delayer does exactly what it sounds like—it allows you to force programs that normally load at Windows login to wait a specific amount of time before starting. That means larger applications that drag down the boot process can wait until the system’s a bit more responsive, and the wealth of utilities some folks use can be spaced out to help you start actually working faster. Startup Delayer also serves as a straight-ahead startup manager for those who dislike the built-in Windows version, giving you control over process priority and window sizes. Startup Delayer is a free download (with requests for donation on closing) for Windows 98 and later only.

Startup Delayer [via CyberNet]
Didn’t know there was a program to do that. I wonder if it will work on my vista machine, it would help to let some programs to load up later because of the internet connection not be ready when it boots!!

Simplified Gmail Notifications with cGmail

Paul

cgmail_cropped.jpg
Linux only: Linux users already have a powerful Gmail notification tool in Checkgmail, but the advanced functionality doesn’t always fit the bill, or even just work, for some users (including yours truly). For those seeking a more streamlined notification window, or perhaps just the same kind of tool for non-Gmail POP or IMAP accounts, cGmail is a handy taskbar tool. Once you’ve installed and configured your account, it’s just one click to have cGmail load on startup, and the app integrates nicely with the GNOME desktop’s keyring manager. cGmail is a free download, available in .deb, .rpm and source downloads for Linux systems only.

cGmail [via Phorolinux]
I might have to have fun on my Ubuntu and try this out. Thought people would like to know about this google notifier for Linux!!

Microsoft to beef up anti-piracy checks in Vista SP1

Paul

December 03, 2007 (IDG News Service) — Microsoft will change the user experience of its automatic anti-piracy checks in Windows Vista and also make it harder for hackers to bypass the system in the first service pack for the OS due out early next year.

Once Windows Vista Service Pack 1 (SP1) is installed on a PC, that computer will no longer go into limited functionality mode if a user or administrator fails to activate Vista on that system in 30 days, or if the system fails Microsoft’s Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) validation, which checks to see if a version of Vista is pirated or counterfeit. In Vista, WGA is called the Software Protection Program feature.

In limited functionality mode, a computer will shut down after 60 minutes and then allow only browser use. Now, instead of going into that mode, a version of Vista that has not been activated in 30 days will start up with a black screen and a dialogue box that gives users the choice of activating Vista now or later, said Alex Kochis, a group product manager at Microsoft.

If users choose to activate now, the screen prompts will lead them through the proper activation system. If users choose to activate later, all the usual functions of Windows will start up, but with a black screen in the background instead of whatever customized background screen a user had set for the system.

Then, after 60 minutes of use, a balloon dialogue box will appear on the screen reminding the user to activate Vista. It also will reset the background to black even if a user had replaced the black screen with a customized view

Well I knew that was going to happen sooner or later. Microsoft is worried about hacks. Go check out the full article in Computerworld.

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