Sterling Ball and Microsoft

zuma · #1 02-19-2009, 03:58 PM

I'm sure this story has come up before but I thought all the bass playing I.T. guys who didn't catch it the first time would love to read this:

http://news.cnet.com/2008-1082_3-5065859.html

Pilgrim · #2 02-19-2009, 04:17 PM

Hmmmm...I can sure understand his reaction. There are "enforcers" in every walk of life who get their pleasure out of jumping on people as hard as they can, when common sense would say to be thoughtful. He surely ran into some of them.

JumboFriendly · #3 02-19-2009, 04:24 PM

Quote:

I couldn't treat a customer the way Microsoft dealt with me...

I bet some of the people selling MM copies don't think so.

bassrique · #4 02-19-2009, 04:27 PM

Quote:

How did that happen?

Mr. Ball: We pass our old computers down. The guys in engineering need a new PC, so they get one and we pass theirs on to somebody doing clerical work. Well, if you don't wipe the hard drive on that PC, that's a violation. Even if they can tell a piece of software isn't being used, it's still a violation if it's on that hard drive. What I really thought is that you ought to treat people the way you want to be treated. I couldn't treat a customer the way Microsoft dealt with me...I went from being a pro-Microsoft guy to instantly being an anti-Microsoft guy.

I don't understand the violation.

Pilgrim · #5 02-19-2009, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassrique

I don't understand the violation.

I'm guessing the first user didn't delete the software, then when he got a new computer, installed it on that new computer. Result: two working computers, each of which had the software on it...when they only had one license. Sounds like all they needed to do was delete it from the machines where it wasn't really being used...and it stinks that they weren't given the opportunity to do that.

bassrique · #6 02-19-2009, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pilgrim

I'm guessing the first user didn't delete the software, then when he got a new computer, installed it on that new computer. Result: two working computers, each of which had the software on it...when they only had one license. Sounds like all they needed to do was delete it from the machines where it wasn't really being used...and it stinks that they weren't given the opportunity to do that.

Ahhhh... I get it, and it does suck.

RWP · #7 02-19-2009, 04:40 PM

Mr. Gates didn't get to be worth $58,000,000,000.00 by being a nice guy.

SuperDuck · #8 02-19-2009, 09:03 PM

I wonder if there's a parallel between software companies vigorously enforcing their software licenses and instrument companies vigorously enforcing their trademarks on headstock designs.

Nah, probably not.

GeneralElectric · #9 02-19-2009, 09:54 PM

This is old old old old news

Disco_Gee · #10 02-22-2009, 04:34 PM

Interesting read. Thanks for the post!

I think if I was ever to start a business, I'd consider going open source. The tricky thing is when your business relies of programs that don't have open-source alternatives.

syciprider · #11 02-22-2009, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JumboFriendly

I bet some of the people selling MM copies don't think so.

I'm sure. But the cloners are not customers. Please stay with us.

daystcity · #12 02-22-2009, 08:32 PM

Wow, kind of agree with microsoft from a "you stole our software" standpoint, but they didn't! Hooray for showing that microsoft isn't the only way for a business. Am I the only one wondering why he was speaking at a linux convention? If I were trying to prove my point, I would speak at general computing conventions to reach microsofters also.

Disco_Gee · #13 02-22-2009, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daystcity

Wow, kind of agree with microsoft from a "you stole our software" standpoint, but they didn't! Hooray for showing that microsoft isn't the only way for a business. Am I the only one wondering why he was speaking at a linux convention? If I were trying to prove my point, I would speak at general computing conventions to reach microsofters also.

Perhaps he was trying to encourage developers to create more specialised software like the ones he mentioned in the article? I don't know.

tplyons · #14 02-22-2009, 11:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GeneralElectric

This is old old old old news

Yep, six years old, but nevertheless the first I've heard.

I enjoyed it thoroughly. I'm a Mac user, but 95% of the software I use daily is still Microsoft Office: Mac.

JumboFriendly · #15 02-23-2009, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by syciprider

I'm sure. But the cloners are not customers. Please stay with us.

Microsoft isn't upset about the software they were using legally.

zuma · #16 02-23-2009, 04:15 PM

What I find MOST ridiculous are the fines being imposed by the BSA. These people are worse than credit card companies. Let's just assume for a minute that you are guilty.

Let's say you paid for 50 licenses of Adobe Creative Suite. Just like Sterling, you get some new machines and pass some down. You're sloppy with the process and seven machines have Adobe CS that shouldn't anymore. You admit this.

Now, you might then start to think. How much will I owe? Well...I paid about $400 each for each suite under the volume licensing service so even if they double the price that's about 6K. No big deal...WRONG

They are going to want more like $60K from you for your violation. I have seen this happen. Even parking tickets don't multiply to that degree! I guess I want things to be simple and they just want to make an example of you AND take all of your money.

Meanwhile...everybody else is getting a bailout.