pendanticist - 10:07 pm on Jan 27, 2005 (gmt 0)

I suppose what I'm wondering is, is the piracy so bad that it's worth it to create "a lot" of permanently infectable machines?

To get an accurate answer to that one, you would have to ask the hackers and virus writers.

Nothing is perfect and to assume otherwise is folly. Sure MS has marketed a product which causes great consternation with lots of folks. However, does that speak to the apparent legitimatization of hackers and virus writers who have so zealously pursued its vulnerabilities to all our dismays? Not from where I sit.

Take any individual whose product / services has made them multi-billionaires and you will find folks who despise them. Way before the scandals hit the streets, I stopped going to a particular 'lettered-Mart' simply because I was seeing more-and-more of her stuff ( might too warm fuzzy for me ) and less-and-less of what I was used to purchasing there. We all retaliate in different ways.

Register, register, and register. We see it everywhere on almost any software that is worthwhile.

No matter what preventative measures you take, someone will find a way around your defenses.

Bottom line?

MS has as much right to make this denial as any automobile manufacturer would should a copied vehicle drive into a factory authorized service center expecting recalled repairs be made. Now, if this analogy sounds too far fetched for you, then you need to do a search for 'counterfeit products [google.com]' and see what Asian country comes up the most. Yes Virginia, they counterfeit cars too. :)