* Microsoft limits Vista transfers
A couple of weeks ago I told you about the “time bomb” Microsoft was building into the upcoming Vista desktop operating system and is also planning for the next version of Windows Server (Longhorn). New revelations last week, though, show that there’s apparently no end to the trouble Redmond wants to cause you – all in the name of fighting pirated copies of Windows.
Under previous versions of the desktop system (Win9x, NT, ME, XP) you were allowed to move the operating system to new hardware platforms as needed. You might (when using Windows Genuine Assurance) need to call the company to reauthorize the license, but you could still change the hardware as you saw fit. Thus, as new hardware components became available you could upgrade the computer while maintaining the right mix of software for your organization.
As reported last week by Network World though, Vista (and, by implication, Longhorn) will only allow one move. But if Vista computes a “checksum” for the hardware similar to the way Genuine Advantage does, simply adding a new hard drive, or upgrading a video card – possibly even just changing the network card – could count as a “move.” Change something else and the system will start closing down as described in the newsletter two weeks ago.
Additionally, Microsoft has discovered that virtual machines constitute an untapped license market and have taken steps to increase revenue without actually having to ship anything to you – a really neat trick. Vista will specifically limit you to installing it as a single instance on a virtual platform – a major change from the XP license (which allowed an unlimited number of virtual machines on a single hardware platform). If you want two virtual machines, then you’ll need to buy two full licenses. Unless, that is, you buy the top-of-the-line Windows Vista Ultimate package which will allow multiple installations in virtual partitions on a single hardware platform. Of course, this version is twice the price of the most basic version of Vista.
Stockholders and Wall Street have been pushing Microsoft to deliver more revenue from operating systems. But draconian measures like these might do something else besides driving more license sales – it just might be the final reason needed for many organizations to seriously begin testing Linux as their business desktop operating system. If I were still an IT manager I know I’d be thinking about it.
