Windows 9 Possibly free - i hope that this is a thing..

[Builder]

Perhaps Apple should revise their EULA to reflect their current views on just giving OS X away though?

I know everything above about Linux but didn't want to argue with @GoodBytes over it because I've done it before and it's not fun.

 

I think they should revise their EULA. My point was precisely that they do turn a blind eye to it, whether or not it's legal. Same with Hackintoshes. If they wanted to they could be pursuing legal action against any and everyone who does it but they just don't care enough. They're not going to explicitly make it easier for you to do so, even though making it free is doing just that.

 

After you've downloaded it on to a Mac there's not even a way for them to tell what you do with it anymore. It's for all intents and purposes free as in beer, though not legally speaking. But again, they turn a blind eye to it.

 

I'd personally like to see them revise their EULA so that you can just distribute copies to whomever you want. It's not as if it has any value or that anyone making a Hackintosh cares about it in the first place. I don't care whether or not they explicitly say you're allowed to install it on non-Apple hardware, because I know why they currently don't allow you to.

[Umair]

Incorrect. Vista was running above and beyond, Win7 style, on my laptop and desktop, and many others on forums in their gaming PC.

Your laptop, desktop, and gaming PCs probably don't reflect the average computer.  I had a Dell Inspiron 530 which came with Vista, and it did not handle Vista well and continued to suffer until I upgraded to Windows 7.  The hardware remained the same but there was a significant upgrade to the overall experience.

[dfsdfgfkjsefoiqzemnd]

Here's your free Windows 9, kindly sponsored by the NSA.

Please leave port 0000 open so the sponsor can access your external drives too.

[GoodBytes]

Your laptop, desktop, and gaming PCs probably don't reflect the average computer.  I had a Dell Inspiron 530 which came with Vista, and it did not handle Vista well and continued to suffer until I upgraded to Windows 7.  The hardware remained the same but there was a significant upgrade to the overall experience.

I don't care about the average consumer. If the average consumer decides to install Windows Vista on their 386, with the Turbo button turned off, I can't do anything about that. The same, if the consumer seeks to get the lowest price system found at the store, because "a computer is a computer".

The recommended specifications of Vista are mentioned, it is to the consumer to their research, or return their system if they are not happy with it, because of the manufacture that screw them over.

I don't complain at my TV provider or the TV show I watch, because the image quality and view angle sucks on a 100$ TV with a shitty TN panel in it.

It would be me, as a consumer, to do my research and get the proper hardware (TV in this example) to enjoy the best picture possible. If it means cashing more money, then that is what is needed.

[Thony]

Microsoft doesnt do stuff for free.

[EricX2]

Incorrect. Vista was running above and beyond, Win7 style, on my laptop and desktop, and many others on forums in their gaming PC.

Yes, it COULD run fast on lots of hardware, unfortunately they sold it on a lot of single core systems with as log as 512mb of RAM and integrated graphics. It was also put onto a lot of Netbooks which were popular around that time. I think those factors (and others) made people think Vista sucked. They even had the logo on them saying they were 'Vista Capable' which really didn't mean much. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticism_of_Windows_Vista#Vista_capable_lawsuit

 

On my PC which was a Core 2 Quad with 4gb RAM and a Radeon HD 4850 it ran great.

[mc141]

free or not enless it has windows media center and wmc extender cababilities(or lets me install it like in windows 8) im not getting it ill stay with win7. i need wmc for my dvr setup. i wont get an xbone for myself enless they become extenders(which i know is never happening)

[Midnight]

Hmm, I wonder what the catch will be if it is indeed, "free".

[GoodBytes]

Yes, it COULD run fast on lots of hardware, unfortunately they sold it on a lot of single core systems with as log as 512mb of RAM and integrated graphics. It was also put onto a lot of Netbooks which were popular around that time. I think those factors (and others) made people think Vista sucked. They even had the logo on them saying they were 'Vista Capable' which really didn't mean much. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Criticism_of_Windows_Vista#Vista_capable_lawsuit

 

On my PC which was a Core 2 Quad with 4gb RAM and a Radeon HD 4850 it ran great.

It's technically not Microsoft fault for doing this. It's manufactures that bought licenses of Windows, and put it on hardware. Normally, this was never a problem, since Vista. That is now, Microsoft has rigorous requirement for manufactures to put Windows on. The system needs to fit the requirements that Microsoft sets to, else no Windows for them. This was a great success with Windows 7. Microsoft did try to push manufactures to stop their crap, build only lead manufacture to put Microsoft arm on the back and pull it, to put the Vista stickers on system. Microsoft desperately needed for Vista to sell, to satisfy shareholders, and manufactures would put XP instead of Vista, if Microsoft didn't give in. Microsoft spent 10 billion dollars on Vista's development, shareholders wants to see money coming in to pay it back.

It is still the consumer's fault for not doing their research, and not returning their system, if it was inadequate. If they did this, then manufacture would not sale overpriced crap systems.

[ZacDaMan72]

Considering it's piss easy to remove ads from Skype just by editing a simple txt document, if there were ever a "free" Win9 powered by ads, that would be a breeze to get around.

TEACH ME SENPAI

[Builder]

It is still the consumer's fault for not doing their research, and not returning their system, if it was inadequate. If they did this, then manufacture would not sale overpriced crap systems.

The whole disaster of Vista system requirements is a major reason why I prefer Macs now, because they control everything inside and thus can confirm it works. 

 

I think what happened with Vista was a demonstration of a fault in Microsoft's system up until that point. However where you blame the consumer for not doing their research I blame Microsoft for not controlling what "Vista Capable" meant and not controlling who got to put licenses on their machines.

[GoodBytes]

free or not enless it has windows media center and wmc extender cababilities(or lets me install it like in windows 8) im not getting it ill stay with win7. i need wmc for my dvr setup. i wont get an xbone for myself enless they become extenders(which i know is never happening)

I won't have my ups up for DVD codec, and Windows Media Center. Telemetry data of both showed extremely few number of people using either on Windows 7, in Windows 8 development blog. They removed it, and they only put is as an add-on to charge the license fees of the codecs. Hence why Windows Media Center was not touched since Vista, and I don't think sales were high. Beside, Microsoft has the XBox One which does a far better job compared to Media Center on Windows. And they are free and better alternative around.

So I expect Microsoft to completely pull it out. Especially that even more computers these days don't have an optical disk.

[dalekphalm]

Microsoft doesnt do stuff for free.

That's... simply just not true. Whether you LIKE their free stuff is an entirely different matter, and totally irrelevant to your statement though.

Internet Explorer

Windows Media Player

Skype

MSN Messenger (of ye olde past)

 

I won't bother listing them all, but here are some links:

http://www.techradar.com/news/software/applications/58-best-free-pc-software-apps-from-microsoft-914749

http://blakehandler.wordpress.com/2006/08/01/ultimate-list-of-free-windows-xp-software-resources-from-microsoft/

 

Some of these require other purchases (such as a microsoft hardware peripheral), others are utilities that the average person wouldn't use, but Microsoft does a TON of "free" stuff, that is subsidized by their other sales.

 

Microsoft makes most of its money via Office and Windows sales - primarily to Enterprise clients. But just like most other big "Tech" companies, they offer plenty of free things.

[GoodBytes]

The whole disaster of Vista system requirements is a major reason why I prefer Macs now, because they control everything inside and thus can confirm it works. 

I think what happened with Vista was a demonstration of a fault in Microsoft's system up until that point. However where you blame the consumer for not doing their research I blame Microsoft for not controlling what "Vista Capable" meant and not controlling who got to put licenses on their machines.

It was never been a problem before. Then again, it was at a time where manufactures had passion, innovation in their blood, and cared about giving to their users the best computer experience. Not rob them. I strongly believe that Microsoft move with the Surface Pro product, really push manufacture to get their act together and put effort in their system. You still have the 400$ system, but at least you get something decent at a reasonable price these days, and not feel you were brought to the cleaners, for what you got.

So yea, that is why manufacture were extremely pissed about Microsoft Surface Pro, it was competition directly to them. But once they calm down, and realized that if they put some effort in their system, it will give them the edge over the other competitors and not shutdown their doors due to the low PC sales and recession.

Since that story, as mentioned, Microsoft has requirements. If the system doesn't meet it, then they get no Windows license.

Apple works, because you have no choice. Cash out the money needed, for an over the top for you need system, or get lost. A model that normally would not work, but does with smart marketing tactics, and guaranty that "it just works", because decent components are put inside to not break. But it is something you can get in the PC space. Just don't buy the 400$ laptop, and get something reasonable in the price, like a something around 1000$, and you should be well covered all around. You may even get away with cheaper if you are willing to do some compromises, which might affect you, or willing to live with, if you don't have the budget.

[Builder]

It was never been a problem before. Then again, it was at a time where manufactures had passion, innovation in their blood, and cared about giving to their users the best computer experience. Not rob them. I strongly believe that Microsoft move with the Surface Pro product, really push manufacture to get their act together and put effort in their system.

Apple works, because you have no choice. Cash out the money needed, for an over the top for you need system, or get lost. A model that normally would not work, but does with smart marketing tactics, and guaranty that "it just works", because decent components are put inside to not break. But it is something you can get in the PC space. Just don't buy the 400$ laptop, and get something reasonable in the price, like a something around 1000$, and you should be well covered all around. You may even get away with cheaper if you are willing to do some compromises, which might affect you, or willing to live with, if you don't have the budget.

Passion and innovation in their blood, caring about the user experience? Sounds a lot like Apple to me. I do like the direction the Surface Pro is taking but for me it's still a tad too expensive and since I'd only put Linux on it anyways I'm not sure what I'd use it for.

 

So you say it takes $1000 to get a decent PC? That's awfully close to Mac price. It "just works" for reasons besides the hardware, like the software being stable and updated carefully, and that also is not a marketing tactic. That's a quote directly from Jobs. I'm actually not even sure they used it in their marketing material.

[GoodBytes]

Passion and innovation in their blood, caring about the user experience? Sounds a lot like Apple to me. I do like the direction the Surface Pro is taking but for me it's still a tad too expensive and since I'd only put Linux on it anyways I'm not sure what I'd use it for.

Yup, and it got proudly lost. It's for a reason Apple passed from nothing to what they are now.

So you say it takes $1000 to get a decent PC? That's awfully close to Mac price. It "just works" for reasons besides the hardware, like the software being stable and updated carefully, and that also is not a marketing tactic. That's a quote directly from Jobs. I'm actually not even sure they used it in their marketing material.

Microsoft software are stable, and updated carefully. And that is with in addition, public beta, and manufactures testing.

The problem, is manufacture error on hardware. There is no escaping this. Even if every computer is tested for 1 year, no mater how, it might break 3 months after. It sucks, but it's part of life, Apple has that too.

Then you have people trashing their computers in some fashion. (registry cleaner, use crappy made tweak tools, modify system files, delete system files that should not be deleted, infect their computer (massive majority of the time, it is their action (running image.jpg.exe, and allowing admin privileges when asked, or running cracks or keygens, and so on, you know the list). Claiming that you don't have these on Linux or MacOS, is just lies, and you know it. It it users actions. I am sure Linux based OS would break or the system behave incorrectly, or have features and abilities not work properly, if you start deleting system files. Any software can request root access and do such action. The basic level of a malware. It happens in Windows, it will happen under Linux and MacOS. There is no escape.

[mc141]

I won't have my ups up for DVD codec, and Windows Media Center. Telemetry data of both showed extremely few number of people using either on Windows 7, in Windows 8 development blog. They removed it, and they only put is as an add-on to charge the license fees of the codecs. Hence why Windows Media Center was not touched since Vista, and I don't think sales were high. Beside, Microsoft has the XBox One which does a far better job compared to Media Center on Windows. And they are free and better alternative around.

So I expect Microsoft to completely pull it out. Especially that even more computers these days don't have an optical disk.

i dont need it for dvd  i use its dvr functions daily and itsworks with  DTCP-IP. i have 2 hdhomerunprimes and other than power dvd ultra i dont know any dctp-ip apps and i dont think powerdvd has a tv guide and dvr functions.

 

all i care about is at least be able purchase and install wmc on 9. xbone doesnt have dvr or cablecard tunner support. i dont like the cable companys local or cloud dvr services and i don like tivo  and either or there $15 per box montly fee. wmc works great and has been 99% reliable for me with my 2 xbox 360's. you may not care about the program but there are some people like me who use it on a daily bassis.

 

id be happy to try another app but i havent found any thing that does wht i need like wmc.

[Builder]

Then you have people trashing their computers in some fashion. (registry cleaner, use crappy made tweak tools, modify system files, delete system files that should not be deleted, infect their computer (massive majority of the time, it is their action (running image.jpg.exe, and allowing admin privileges when asked, or running cracks or keygens, and so on, you know the list). Claiming that you don't have these on Linux or MacOS, is just lies, and you know it. It it users actions. I am sure Linux based OS would break or the system behave incorrectly, or have features and abilities not work properly, if you start deleting system files. Any software can request root access and do such action. The basic level of a malware. It happens in Windows, it will happen under Linux and MacOS. There is no escape.

THERE'S NO ESCAPE, FOLKS! YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST!

 

While you're spreading all this FUD I would debate this with you but I've already been far enough down this road to know that you won't care about anything I mention here so it's pointless to do so again. 

[GoodBytes]

THERE'S NO ESCAPE, FOLKS! YOU HEARD IT HERE FIRST!

 

While you're spreading all this FUD I would debate this with you but I've already been far enough down this road to know that you won't care about anything I mention here so it's pointless to do so again.

It's not fud. It is the reality. Education is the only solution. No mater what security system and solid you build something, it can be broken.

[Builder]

FUD? Oh yes yes yes.. I forgot.. yes. MacOS and Linux has special magic pixy dust that removes all sorts of malware that may exists. And even if it does, there is an emergency reserved magic pixy dust which can scan any problem that the system can have, and fix itself. You can even format your drive, and it will detect that this is not what you wanted to do, and restore all files, to always have a perfectly running system.

Sure builder. We went down that path.

Well now you're just being stupid and silly...I never claimed what you say in that post.

[GoodBytes]

Well now you're just being stupid and silly...I never claimed what you say in that post.

You are applying it, by saying the grass is much greener on the other side, but you know the reality is completely not true.

[rashdanml]

You are applying it, by saying the grass is much greener on the other side, but you know the reality is completely not true.

Implying*, and you're assuming the implication. 

 

The reality is Linux is inherently more secure and idiot proof than Windows from the getgo. That's a fact. Some distributions remove the root/admin user altogether and only uses sudo. 

The reality is that there aren't many (if any) malware for Linux. Market share has a lot to do with that and the fact that Linux is more inherently secure. The exploits that do exist are patched right away, so that's a non-issue. Sneaking in malware is also incredibly difficult with everything being open-source and scrutinized thoroughly before being released. 

 

And while I agree that education is the only solution to combat computer illiteracy, there's a bigger problem that cannot be addressed: the average layman doesn't give a rat's ass about learning. Both Windows and Linux can be made secure and idiot proof by the developer (to the point where even the most computer illiterate could use it without breaking it) - Linux just comes with more security and idiot proofing from the getgo. 

[mr moose]

I don't see why there needs to be debate about this AGAIN!

 

IF you spend decent money on a decent computer you get a decent product that does the job,  if you buy a cheap computer and save some money you get a cheap computer that may well break before it becomes obsolete.

 

Sometimes expensive stuff breaks (happens to every product) and sometimes cheap stuff lasts forever.  Law of averages, Murphy's Law, customer return figures, customer satisfaction analytics prove this thus rendering anecdotal evidence moot.

[Ginger78348]

If this takes a step back from win8 on tgr desktop ill be mad. Its perfect the way it is right now. Free wouldn't be likely considering Microsoft spent a lot of money on making Windows 8 uncrackable.

Well, that didn't really work out for them, because Windows 8 is crackable. 

[killcomic]

The only people that say Vista was bad are poor people that put it on shitty hardware.

Riiiiiiiight....

So the non-existent extras people paid for, confusing version scheme, buggy as hell Dreamscene, archaic UI, bad compatibility, poorly optimised memory management and CPU hogging was the user's fault?