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Ed Bott on Windows 7 EULA surprises

Dec. 30, 2008 Paul Thurrott | Paul Thurrott's Supersite for Windows

Looks like everyone over at ZDNet is resorting to downloading the pirated version of Windows 7 build 7000 (Beta). In doing so, Ed Bott has discovered some interesting End User License Agreement (EULA) changes:

One of the first things I did before installing the software was to read the end user license agreement (EULA), carefully. Most of it was boilerplate, but I found a few surprises hidden within the legalese, including a revision code at the end, “EULAID:Win7_B.1_PRO_NRL_en-US,” which indicates that this is indeed Beta 1. Here’s a summary of some other interesting additions:

You can install as many copies as you want.

The software expires on August 1, 2009.

Activation and validation are alive and well [and] are not permitted to circumvent validation.

Check out the article for more additions and information.

Discuss this Article 27

tayme
on Dec 30, 2008
I'd say that is questionable jounalism...at best...wouldn't you agree? --tayme
mikegalos@msn.com
on Dec 30, 2008
I'd say it's Ed Bott being desperate for ANYTHING to write about during the end of December before leaving on vacation at just the same time as CES and macworld (Lower case since Jobs won't be there)
BrightrevCarl
on Dec 30, 2008
Why does EVERY SINGLE COMMENT THREAD here turn into an argument about people's motives/integrity/credibility or Apple vs. PC? Don't you guys ever get tired of having the same argument over and over and over? Anyway. Microsoft really ought to just go ahead and release Beta 1. It is not to their advantage to have people running an illegitimate version of Beta software that may or may not have been tampered with. Not that I'm insinuating that the torrent HAS been tampered with - just that it could be. People are running it anyway. Microsoft ought to just push out the real thing, so there are no questions.
mikegalos@msn.com
on Dec 30, 2008
BrightrevCarl The problem is that setting up for a LARGE beta (and the Windows 7 public beta will be LARGE) isn't something you can move up without notice. I don't have inside info on this specific beta but having worked on a few in the past there are support and distribution sites that need to be rolled out and set up to scale that high, there are marketing and promotional materials that probably are still not at the printers, there are physical discs to be burned for people who don't want download-only, there are press materials that need to go out and briefings that need to be scheduled, there are demos that need to be rehearsed... And, to top it off, there's no reason good enough to make a MAJOR splash announcement or find staff out there to man support during the week between Christmas and New Year vacations. This is the week when nothing new actually goes out and you hold things together with bailing wire, chewing gum and gaffer's tape until people get back in town next Monday.
johnbaxter
on Dec 30, 2008
Speaking of running beta Win 7: Paul, have you had any trouble running your (legitimately obtained) copy under Bootcamp on your usually-Windows MacBook (Pro?)? The closest I have to a sandbox machine to play with after the public beta real release is my copy under Bootcamp. Thanks.
johnbaxter
on Dec 30, 2008
@mikegalos And, fearfully bringing up Apple, sources say* that Apple not being at Macworld 2010 brought HUGE relief to the multitudes at Apple that get their late December break back next year after so many years of Macworld prep. You're right: MS can't "just go ahead and release it". And it may be too late to safely tweak it so that the bittorrent form (if not booby-trapped anyhow) is unreal. --John (who doesn't do torrent) *I can do that as well as anyone, and as meaningfully as many.
robertsjoe
on Dec 30, 2008
"I'd say that is questionable jounalism...at best...wouldn't you agree?" Journalism, that's not what it is. It's amateurish at best.
Waethorn
on Dec 30, 2008
@mike: Check your inbox.
RunTimeError
on Dec 30, 2008
BrightrevCarl: There are a few of here that have asked the same question. Then we gave up trying to figure it out. Now we sit back and watch the flamewars. I, for one, love the smell of napalm on the SuperSIte blog ;)
mikegalos@msn.com
on Dec 30, 2008
Waethorn Inbox checked...
lotsamystuff
on Dec 30, 2008
Wae and "mikegalos": Nice to see you two made up and are now checking each other's boxes. Reconciliation is grand, no?
anonymous
on Dec 30, 2008
Your story was featured in Dapx! Here is the link to vote it up and promote it: http://dapx.com/Technology/Ed-Bott-on-Windows-7-EULA-surprises
robert3892
on Dec 30, 2008
unfortunately the Windows 7 beta version 7000 would not install at all into my PC using an EVGA 750iFTW motherboard and 3 HDs. Guess I'll have to disconnect two HDs and try again. Looks like Microsoft didn't get the installer working properly.
Lindy
on Dec 31, 2008
OT but has anyone seen this. I confirmed with the two people I know that have the Zune 30 they are dead in the water. http://gizmodo.com/5121311/reports-30gb-zunes-failing-everywhere-all-at-... If this is really hammering all of them, MS will get a huge black eye from this.
Lindy
on Dec 31, 2008
Make that 3 I know of now, I emailed a big group of people, most dont have a Zunes, but one just said his wifes is DOA as of this am. Reading that thread on there I guess its something with the latest firmware. Some have Zune 30's that have not been turned on in months and have older firmware and are still working.
tayme
on Dec 31, 2008
@Lindy - I can confirm...I have 2 frozen 30s and 1 working 80. Hopefully MS jumps all over this and gets a fix out. Again...anti-MS trolls need not reply here. --tayme
Ocean
on Dec 31, 2008
Its the BBoD Brown Brick of Death. My old iPod is still humming though.
Waethorn
on Dec 31, 2008
@mike: check again. @losta: i bet you'd like to check my box.
Lindy
on Dec 31, 2008
I had a Zune 30, won it at a Tech-Net event, not a bad device. Best screen around until the Touch. I sold it and got good $$$ for it.
Lindy
on Dec 31, 2008
In those posts it suggests cracking it open, un-plugging the battery and plugging it back in will fix it. Joe User will look at that case for a second and say..."ummm NOT". Other suggest that because today is the 366th day of the year (leap year) that caused the problem???? In any case a huge mess.
Lindy
on Dec 31, 2008
"i bet you'd like to check my box." A term "box" commonly used to refer to a body part on a woman. All this time I thought you were a dude:)
Lindy
on Dec 31, 2008
A new term has been born..."Frozune" lol!
mikegalos@msn.com
on Dec 31, 2008
Waethorn, You know, there's always regular email. That way you can avoid Lindy...
Waethorn
on Dec 31, 2008
I don't have that problem. I wouldn't know any Canadian that would, unless they bought it over the border. They didn't sell Gen 1 Zunes in Canada.
Lindy
on Dec 31, 2008
And how do we avoid you Mike, never read this blog? Got anything to say about the Zune 30? You would be all over this if it were a Apple problem in a very negative and bias way.
Waethorn
on Dec 31, 2008
@mike: Response sent.
mikegalos@msn.com
on Dec 31, 2008
@waethorn and replied to

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