July, 2009

Rants / Tech — 1 Comment
31
Jul 09

Microsoft’s New Business Strategy: Be Even More Evil To Their Paying Customers

I strongly believe in paying people for their hard work. That’s why I refuse to use pirated software on any of the computers I use, as a matter of principle.

First, some relevant backstory: My Uncle who used to live in Hawaii came over to the Philippines to live with us a few years ago. He moved in with a lot of his own stuff, including his computer. Here’s the wrinkle in the cloth. He paid for a genuine copy of Windows XP, like any other good guy out there (he passed away last year, sadly; I have since been maintaining his computer for family use), and all was good and dandy in our computing world. Just very recently, I suppose, Microsoft decided to do this:

wgacrap

So. According to Microsoft, you can’t use a genuine copy of Windows XP, legally purchased, if the software is used in a DIFFERENT COUNTRY from where it was purchased. REALLY, Microsoft?

I see this as a huge, HUGE problem.

  1. What if the person migrates and takes his computer with him? Does that invalidate the legality of his software purchase if nowhere on the packaging did it CLEARLY say he couldn’t use it anywhere other than the country he purchased it in? Isn’t this a perfect example of a deceptive business practice?
  2. What if the person is on a vacation (extended or otherwise)? Does this also make it illegal for him to use his legally purchased operating system where he goes?

The computer has worked fine for years, without any warning that this might happen. It’s only been this week, I suppose, after installing the latest updates, that this new “feature” crept in. This is some really sneaky, deceptive stunt that Microsoft is pulling on their paying customers, and I think it is wrong. It’s infuriating!

I have always recommended to my family and friends that they purchase the software they use (unless it’s free in the first place, of course), and whenever I’ve assembled PCs for family and they wanted Windows, we’d always purchase a legal copy. I am incredibly disappointed with this development.

So even though I’ve had nothing but praise for the upcoming Windows 7, I’ve suddenly had a change of heart. No matter how good it is, if Microsoft continues to shaft people who are willing to play by their rules by changing the rules even further, I will no longer recommend it to people. I used to think Win7 would convince me to go back to Windows after the disaster that was Vista. Now the only reason I see for using Windows 7 is if you’re a hardcore gamer or you have a critical app that WINE can’t run yet.

Ugh. Just when I thought Microsoft was starting to do good again, they pull something like this.

Microsoft = Rape.

Rants — 1 Comment
13
Jul 09

Contrary To Popular Belief, I Actually Have A Plan To Do… Stuff

On the tail end of having the flu right now, feeling pretty good.

Interesting series of events happened the past two weeks.

Firstly, some visitors let my cat A-dolf out again. It never fails to piss me off, most especially when it’s the same visitors who always happen to do so. What is it, the second or third time already? When he got back seven days later, he was filthy and his white paws blacked with who knows what. Me and my sister had to give him a bath, which is not easy to do, since cats just love water.

In the middle of that week, I could safely say that I was pretty well and recovered from the flu, so I ran some errands for dad since he happened to be sick as well. Used my bike to save time and money. Long story short, I overexerted myself and the flu somehow relapsed.

Then, just a couple of days ago or so, someone from a publishing company called me, saying they were looking for an illustrator. We set the interview for Wednesday this week. I was excited; if this would push through, I’d be paid to use my best skills, and it would also likely be my least boring job yet. But then I got to thinking.

My mom always keeps trying to get me to get a job, whether it be in a call center here in Makati or somewhere in Spain or England (just last week she asked me to try and get a job in Canada). I would always reply that I’m currently in the middle of working out some plans, and to just drop everything in mid-air would be irresponsible and would show a lack of commitment. My rationale is that I put a lot of thought and careful planning into this, so it would only be right for me to see how it all plays out up until the end, win or lose.

If you don’t have the guts to stay the course you’ve carefully plotted and would rather just put down the sails and let the waves toss you about, you don’t deserve to get to where (or what) you want.

I’m currently doing two projects right now. One is doing quite well, and the other I’m still making ready. I’ve settled into a nice daily and weekly routine, and everything is running well (although quite slowly, due to the aforementioned ailment). Taking on a full-time job would likely wreak havoc on my established workflow and produce more stress than I’d be able to handle (I’d already learned this the hard way a few jobs back).

Eventually, I decided to just withdraw from the interview.

I have a plan, and I’m taking my own advice and I’m sticking to it.