MS Requiring More Expensive Vista if Running Mac 545
ktwdallas writes "Mathew Ingram from Canada's Globe and Mail writes that Microsoft will require at least the $299 Business version of Vista or higher if installing on a Mac with virtualization. Running the cheaper Basic or Premium versions would be a violation of their user agreement. According to the article, Microsoft's reasoning is 'because of security issues with virtualization technology'. Sounds suspiciously like a 'Mac penalty' cost that Microsoft is trying to justify."
"security issues with virtualization technology" (Score:3, Interesting)
This seems sort of counter productive to me, i would think they would want peopele to run vista on as many machines as they can.. Especially if there is a chance they can push a user away from another OS. But then again, they are a monopoly, they dont always have to do what makes sence.
The "defectivebydesign" tag... (Score:4, Interesting)
"Security vulnerabilities?" You mean how you can isolate a VM away from the rest of the world and if it gets infected with a virus, you can just shut it off, blow it away and start over?
THAT kind of security vulnerability? How incredibly, incredibly lame.
Re:Jumping to conclusions, redux. (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:The "defectivebydesign" tag... (Score:4, Interesting)
In rant mode, one could argue that they ought to charge you more if you run without virtualization from a more secure operating system, because you're going to have more problems. I'd love to see a Vista install instruction sheet that begins with, "have a competent admin install and secure Solaris-10 + VMWare on your laptop..."
Re:Fuck moof. (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:To hell with Microsoft (Score:3, Interesting)
And besides, it'll be Microsoft and other software/hardware companies that force the upgrade, not the government.
Re:Sick and tired (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Disingenous dupe FUD (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Sick and tired (Score:3, Interesting)
I heard about it.
Please tell us about the penalty imposed after the conviction, and tell us how it affected Microsoft's ability to maintain their monopoly and the 85% profit margins which went with being an abusive monopoly.
Re:Jumping to conclusions, redux. (Score:3, Interesting)
The result is that Microsoft can, and probably will, start detecting the virtualization environments and "informing" users of their license violations. How they do this is probably a matter of negotiation among their sales managers and lawyers at a weekly meeting.