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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