General

Vista License Agreement – Loop Hole?

Ever since I heard that all versions of Vista will be available on the same DVD provided by Microsoft and that any version can be installed without a Serial Key for 30 days, I have been wondering why they added this option, the 30 days trial specially. Is it possible that Microsoft would offer Buying and Downloading Vista Online option? Just like hundreds of Softwares out there. You download the Demo/Trial/Shareware version, use it, if you like go to their website, pay online for it and receive a Serial Key by e-mail. May be offer it online, a 30 days trial just like they are offering a free 60 days downloadable trial of Office 2007!. I cannot confirm this bit as I am on a dial-up, but as of today it does say “a 60 days downloadable trial”.

I decided to look in this matter more. Checked out Windows Vista’s EULA [End User License Agreement] and I found the following bit in it,

4. MANDATORY ACTIVATION.
Activation associates the use of the software with a specific device. During activation, the software will send information about the software and the device to Microsoft. This information includes the version, language and product key of the software, the Internet protocol address of the device, and information derived from the hardware configuration of the device. For more information, see http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=69497. By using the software, you consent to the transmission of this information. Before you activate, you have the right to use the version of the software installed during the installation process. Your right to use the software after the time specified in the installation process is limited unless it is activated. This is to prevent its unlicensed use. You will not be able to continue using the software after that time if you do not activate it. If the device is connected to the Internet, the software may automatically connect to Microsoft for activation. You can also activate the software manually by Internet or telephone. If you do so, Internet and telephone service charges may apply. Some changes to your computer components or the software may require you to reactivate the software. The software will remind you to activate it until you do.

Notice the bold part? It says, “You have the right to use the version of the software installed during the installation process. Your right to use the software after the time specified in the installation process is limited unless it is activated”. Now, what about a person who downloads Vista off a torrent, installs Vista Ultimate for 30 days, buys a legal license of it and enters that Serial Key provided to him instead of waiting for the legal disk to arrive and then installing or re-installing from that very disk . . . You can call me a dumb when it comes to this, I am sorry if I sound awkward with this. If someone can clarify then please! :)

I e-mailed Microsoft Support about it and received a reply from them too. To put my question in simple words, “Is it legal of a person to get Vista through Pirated/Illegal means but install it without any Serial Key, getting a 30 days trial instead of using the Serial Key/Crack/Work around provided by Illegal means to active Windows Vista?” I received the following answer which to me is not exactly reply to what I asked them, instead the guy told reason for why Microsoft offers such an option, selecting any version of Vista for a 30 days period. May be it’s the answer, I don’t know.

Thank you for contacting Microsoft Online Customer Service.

I understand from your message that you wish know why a customer is provided the right to use Vista software during installation period. I realize the importance of your concern.

Please be informed that, this facility is given to the customer, in order to provide a hands on feel and make them familiar with the new helpful features before they decide to purchase the full version.

The goal of Product Activation is to reduce a form of piracy known as “casual copying” or “softlifting.” Casual copying is a form of piracy characterized by the sharing of software between people in a way that infringes on the software`s end user license agreement (EULA).

Abul, if you come across any information on the sales of Microsoft Products which you believe is a pirated one, I recommend you to contact the piracy Hotline, which you can reach at 1-800-785-3448 or write to:
piracy@microsoft.com

If you would like to get more information about piracy, we do have a piracy support website that provides information about this serious issue. You can visit this web site at:

http://www.microsoft.com/piracy/ReportingUs.mspx

I hope the above information is helpful.

Thank you for using Microsoft products and services.

Any one wants to clarify? I have contacted a few who have a lot knowledge of EULA’s than me. Looking forward to their answer.

Windows Vista Computer Requirements

Microsoft has updated their Windows Vista – Get Ready website with Official Computer/System Requirements for Windows Vista. It’s not simple as it was with the previous versions of Windows from Microsoft because of the fact that Vista comes in different flavors & in order to enjoy Windows Vista fully, you really have to use the Aero 3D effects in Vista for which you will require a capable graphics card.

A new PC that carries the Windows Vista Capable PC logo can run Windows Vista. All editions of Windows Vista will deliver core experiences such as innovations in organizing and finding information, security, and reliability. All Windows Vista Capable PCs will run these core experiences at a minimum. Some features available in the premium editions of Windows Vista—like the new Windows Aero user experience—may require advanced or additional hardware.

A Windows Vista Capable PC includes at least:

* A modern processor (at least 800MHz).
* 512 MB of system memory.
* A graphics processor that is DirectX 9 capable.

I have tested Windows Vista Ultimate on two systems. A desktop system with latest Intel Core 2 DUO processor and a laptop, 3 years old almost running a Desktop Intel Pentium 4 processor. Both have 512 MB of RAM, though there is difference between the performance of them. What I am wondering here is. It says, “A modern processor” then it says, “at least 800Mhz”. Now what I am wondering is that the “Modern processors” don’t start from 800 Mhz but in Ghz!!!

As I said, I have tested Vista on two systems mentioned above, which ofcourse are more than what is require for the system to be called Vista Capable PC BUT there was a huge difference in performance with both the systems. The Desktop with Intel Core 2 DUO processor and 512 MB RAM was far more faster than compared to the 2.8 Ghz Pentium 4 processor! How much of a difference? I can work without any slow down in Vista on the Desktop system but I could not use Windows Vista for more than a few minutes on the laptop because it was all hogged down!!! So I am wondering what they really mean . . .

Windows Vista Premium Ready PCs
To get an even better Windows Vista experience, including the Windows Aero user experience, ask for a Windows Vista Capable PC that is designated Premium Ready, or choose a PC that meets or exceeds the Premium Ready requirements described below. Features available in specific premium editions of Windows Vista, such as the ability to watch and record live TV, may require additional hardware.

A Windows Vista Premium Ready PC includes at least:

* 1 GHz 32-bit (x86) or 64-bit (x64) processor.
* 1 GB of system memory.
* Support for DirectX 9 graphics with a WDDM driver, 128 MB of graphics memory (minimum)2, Pixel Shader 2.0 and 32 bits per pixel.
* 40 GB of hard drive capacity with 15 GB free space.
* DVD-ROM Drive3.
* Audio output capability.
* Internet access capability.

As far as Aero is concerned. I already mentioned the Desktop system I have. Intel Core 2 DUO with 512 MB of RAM and NVidia 6200 Turbo Cache Graphics Card. The card supports Aero completely and with 512 MB of RAM, Vista works like a charm on the said system. 1 GB of RAM will be ofcourse sweet.

I have yet to see the performance of Windows Vista after installing my usual day to day softwares like NOD32 etc. so keep watching. I will tell in detail about it in coming days. How well Vista performs with 512MB of RAM. It will not be fair for every kind of RAM though. 512MB of DDR will work better than 512MB of PC333 RAM but slower than 512MB of DDR2… I am also looking ahead to test something on Windows Vista, if it will get effected by a very common virus for Windows XP, I have to face this virus alot. NOD32 finds it ofcourse. I want to see if Windows Vista can stop it with its default settings and no Anti-virus installed.

Bad News Microsoft – Vista arrives

Bad news for Microsoft . . .

They are supposed to release it officially for general public in January 2007, the RTM version, final version of Windows Vista first leaked on Internet around 1-10th November 06, now even more bad. Vista is available in DVDs in the pirated markets, at least in Pakistan for 100 Rupees only, Vista Ultimate will cost 399$ I think and people are getting the version in less than 2$ here!!!

Guess they could not stop it. I wonder why can’t they stop the LEAKING of their products even before their official release. BAD employee? FIRE ‘em!

Windows XP vs Windows Vista – Performance

I have been looking forward to read “Windows XP vs Windows Vista” articles. Here is the first one I found. It is not in English so being translated through Bablefish’s online translation service.

Windows XP vs Windows Vista – Performance Review

I was particularly interested in the RAM usage after installation of Windows Vista and also the number of services running, right after install and without any addition of the user. Seems like:

Windows XP runs with 24 active processes taking up 223 MB of RAM and Windows Vista runs with 41 active processes taking up 436 MB of RAM. If I am doing my Maths right, hopefully I am wrong. Where 512 MB RAM was suggested for Windows XP, 1 GB suggestion is not enough for Vista.

223/512 * 100 = 43.55 % – Memory usage in Windows XP
436/1024 * 100 = 42.57 % – Memory usage in Windows Vista

This has made me think again what to get. 1 GB or 2 GB? Since in my case, 512 MB suggested for Windows XP was and is not enough with me. I don’t want same thing happening with Vista for me. The price difference between 1 GB and 2 GB memory kits is 70$ minimum.

There are two Performance features in Windows Vista, which if tackles the above problem and works efficiently. 1 GB will be more than enough… I am talking about,

Windows ReadyDrive

From WinSuperSite Vista Review:

The hybrid hard drives combine a standard hard disk with large amounts (1 GB or more) of non-volatile flash memory. This memory acts a cache of sorts, providing a number of benefits. First, the system will boot up and resume from various sleep states much more quickly, allowing users to get back to work more quickly. Because the hard drive, with all its moving parts, spins up much less frequently, you’ll experience better overall performance and better overall battery life.

Windows ReadyDrive, the hardware used for it, I have read will be available in first months of 2007 perhaps and that too mostly for Laptops. So I don’t see it helping the users soon either. Depends on the price too? and I wonder what use it will serve for desktop users with 2GB of RAM except speeding up the start-up and shut down times.

Windows ReadyBoost

From WinSuperSite Vista Review:

ReadyBoost uses spare space on USB-based storage devices like memory keys to increase the performance of your computer. It does this by caching information to the USB device, which is typically much faster than writing to the hard drive. Information cached to the device is encrypted so it can’t be read on other systems.

There are a number of caveats. Your USB device must meet certain speed characteristics or Vista will not allow it to be used in this fashion. Space that is set aside on a USB device for ReadyBoost cannot be used for other purposes, unless you reformat the device or remove it from service with the PC. And you cannot use one USB device to speed up more than one PC.

ReadyBoost seems to have the most impact on systems with less than 1 GB of RAM, which makes sense, and it clearly will benefit notebooks more than desktops, since it’s often difficult or impossible to increase the RAM in a portable machine. Microsoft recommends configuring ReadyBoost with one to three times the amount of RAM you have installed in your system. So if you have 512 MB of RAM, you should try to dedicate between 512 MB and 1.5 GB of space for ReadyBoost on a USB device.

So “the most impact” on systems with less than 1 GB of RAM? This seemed the cheapest option, incase it will have an impact even on a system with 512 MB of RAM, since the USB Data Travelers/USB Memory Sticks are very cheap. That said, you would want to get 1 GB or 2 GB of RAM for Windows Vista? I wonder if it’s possible for memory makers to have 768 MB + 768 MB = 1536 MB memory kits. The price difference then between 1 GB and 1.5 GB will end up being 30-40 $ perhaps? I am no Business degree holder. *sigh*

This had to come when I decided to go for 1 GB. :\

Just before . . .

I always wonder, what a person feels just before their last breath is removed by the Angel of Death, what that person thinks at that very moment… Don’t laugh but I heard this in a game called, “Brothers in Arms: Road to Hill 30″, the main character of this game, an American World War II Hero, says something like, “My father used to tell me, you can know how a person lived his life when you see his face; his face expressions and his eyes just at the moment when he realizes it’s all over.” May be it’s true.

Came across a very effective video. Might be VERY DISTURBING for some but fine and sad for others, including me. There is a little poem played in background and the video shows a footage LIVE of a once Football match, in it you see a player, he’s smiling but his time came, he tries to catch his breath, bends a little but falls on ground, other players came running to him, he breaths hard and slow then everything is over… You see his fellow team Players amazed and some even cry… Want to hear the poem?

From those around, I hear a cry, An awful soft, a hopeless sigh
I hear their footsteps leaving slow…and then I know my soul must fly
A chilly wind begins to blow within my soul from head to toe,
And then the last breath escapes my lips, its time to leave and die like all…
So its true but its too late
They said each soul has its given date
When it must leave its body’s core
And meet with its eternal fate
Oh! Mark the words that I do say Who knows tomorrow could be your day
At last it comes to heaven or hell decide which now do not delay
Come on my brothers let us pray, decide which now do not delay
“Oh God! Oh God!” I cannot see, my eyes are blind, am I still me?
Or has my soul been led astray and forced to pay a priceless fee?
Alas to dust, we all return, and shall rejoice while others burn
If only I knew that before, the line grew short and came my turn
And now as beneath the soil, they lay me with my record flawed
They cry not knowing that I cry worse for they go home I face my GOD…
Oh! Mark the words that I do say Who knows tomorrow could be your day
At last it comes to heaven or hell decide which now do not delay
Come on my brothers let us pray, decide which now do not delay

I do have the video but due to it’s size I cannot upload it. I will see if I find it online on You Tube.

Update of Patri0t’s Palace

Regular visitors must have already noticed the difference. New theme in place, it has been AJAXIFIED for comments which means page will not refresh when you comment but something else will happen. Just give it a try. Too tired to write any thing else right now. Have been working on changing the Theme and then customizing it completely to the way I wanted was too time consuming for me since my knowledge with PHP is just n00bish. I still have to finalize few changes to my site including a better Header.

Will also update the problems of P5B Deluxe, gonna start downloads section very soon too insha’Allah. Just pray I don’t get lazy. Also started Links exchange, thanks to brother Mohsin, who offered it and also for Patri0t’s Palace appreciation. A big thumbs up to “ilemoned” as well, for creating this beautiful and amazing WordPress theme. I don’t know what I would end up with if I had not found this one and I have seen many amazing themes which people use for their WordPress but they are only INTERNAL sometimes like the theme they currently use, they never publish it to public.

Thanks to everyone visiting the site and commenting on it as well. Appreciate it very much! Oh & hehe, I don’t know why I don’t like to call Patri0t’s Palace my BLOG. I love to call it my SITE.