Microsoft: All Your Free Software Are Belong to Us

Microsoft also isn't winning friends with its daily "updates for your computer" messages. What are these updates? Well, they're some sort of MS spyware to see if your copy of Windows is legit.

Memo to Microsoft: I bought my computer directly from Dell. If Dell is loading pirated versions of your operating system onto its machines, then there's a huge problem. Otherwise, leave me alone.

I still have a windows laptop and it seems like every time i turn it on a microsoft download is forced. Apple is so much easier to deal with on the software front.

Martha, B.L. - you can turn off the updates in Control Panel.

I own a Mac Book Pro and see similar updates when I turn that on. Over 20 last month. I agree with you though, Apple is easier to deal with. When you're supporting thousands upon thousands of devices and applications on a platform is become s a little more tricky. Not sure we're comparing Apples with Apples here. Pardon the pun :)

As for the litigation, here is what Bill Hilf recently said on this

"“It’s not us versus the free world. It’s about commercial companies working together around IP issues – it’s business as usual,” the pair added."

worth a read of http://port25.technet.com/archive/2007/05/18/business-as-usual.aspx for the update

Both Amanda McPherson's comment and your final one are right on the nail. It's idiotic - possible short term gain, certain long-term damage and loss for Microsoft.

The one bright point, however, is that if MS persists and a major battle ensues then it may work to hasten the demise or radical overhaul of the absurd and quite out-of-control (at least in the US, Europe is managing slightly better) patents system which generally stifles rather than encourages innovation.

I'm part way through Joseph Stiglitz's Making Globalization Work and I'm heartened to see him making exactly that point. Nobel Laureate, former Chair of Clinton's economic advisors, former World Bank Chief Economist, now an academic at Columbia U, Stiglitz is experienced and knowledgeable and quite unequivocal in his view of the current patents structure as a corporate weapon and a force for ill in terms of innovation and public benefit.