Microsoft third-party licensing and activation server set to RTM
Summary: In July, Microsoft announced its intentions to deliver a number of licensing technologies to ISVs interesting in deploying Microsoft-like activation and licensing in their products. One of those components, the Software Licensing and Protection Server (SLP), is likely to be released to manufacturing (RTM) on August 31.
In July, Microsoft announced its intentions to deliver a number of licensing technologies to third-party vendors interesting in deploying Microsoft-like activation and licensing in their products
One of those components, the Software Licensing and Protection Server (SLP), is likely to be released to manufacturing (RTM) on August 31, according to a Microsoft blog entry by a member of the SLP team.
The SLP server will allow third-party software vendors to host their own servers and create software licenses — machine-based, time-based (for software subscriptions and trials), user-based and/or feature-based — for their products. The server will generate a key, which users will use to activate their software, via a digital license. ISVs will be able to turn on different features and different SKUs for different markets without having to go back and tweak the code for each version. Microsoft plans for the SLP Server will come in two versions: Standard and Enterprise.
Although SLP won't provide the kind of anti-piracy checks that Microsoft's own Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) system does, it does provide third parties with product-activation technology. (And yes, the irony of Microsoft RTMing an activation product a week after its own activation system went down is not lost on me.)
Microsoft has said to expect its SLP server and accompanying services to launch on October 1.
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Talkback
A bit more irony for you, MJ...
<a href="http://www.linuxgenuineadvantage.org">Linux Genuine Advantage"</a>
:D
Oh, bloody wonderful...
Folks, all we can do is refuse to buy products with this crap. If we don't speak with our wallets, the leash will just continue to get shorter and shorter and shorter.
Before long, we'll all be saying "SIR! Request permission to use my paid-for software, SIR!"
Response: "Server down. Permission denied!"
It's really simple
Great, now the most annoying thin around is available to others
Are they "anti-consumer"?
Yes, thieves will dislike it.
Come on dude...
[b]IF[/b] I wanted, I could have almost any commercial software you care to name by the end of today, without paying for it. None of the antipiracy efforts would affect me the least.... uh.. bit. And I am sure I'm not the only one here who knows how true that is.
So even if you refuse to admit it, the system's broken, and all it does is put the burden on the honest customers who pay for the software.
And of course I am [b]not[/b] suggesting that DRM should be abolished along with copyrights, patents, etc, etc, etc, so please do not insult me by accusing me of being a pirate simply because I disagree with you on a few points.
I agree, though with one exception
That may be true with the die hard hackers, foreign countries, or someone absolutely determined to get around activation, but I think it does have an effect on piracy on the consumer level. In years past I have seen in at least 1 place where 1 copy of MS Office was installed on 15 machines. Many times I was asked to help someone out with their computer only to see then pull out a burned copy of Windows 98 from their CD box.
Small scale to be sure, but I can't be the only person to have seen this, and all those "small scales" add up after time.
Not at all, thieves will LOVE it!
The best way to secure your product is to charge a fair price and provide quality software. Businesses that put the user first succeed...those that abuse users fall by the wayside, no matter how mighty they are at the time, once their monopolies are broken.
Will make Microsoft look better
Imagine rebuilding a box and reactivating a dozen different pieces of software. ROFL! Yeah, that's convenient for the consumer.
Yuk, yuk, yuk. Sysads are going to love this.
FlexLM License servers are history!
license servers will become obsolete. An other one bites the
dust.
This could actually kill some companies ...
Princess Leia, Star Wars
Now that I've committed my required copyright infringement for the day, let's get to the point:
Some companies with monopolies similar to Microsoft might be able to use MS-style product activation successfully (Adobe, Oracle). Others will find that using the system does not enhance their revenue streams, as users will switch to alternative products that do not involve the hassle of using this system. Many companies will experience crippling rises in customer support costs and customer sat issues, to the point of putting them out of business if they implement this kind of system.
I will be waiting to see what new business opportunities arise from this latest flash of genius from Microsoft.
"Where there is pain and confusion, there is profit to be made."
For everyones good!
http://fakesteveballmer.blogspot.com
Should be required to supply
prevent friction with customers.
Vista - Tho Operating System No One Wants
RE: Microsoft third-party licensing and activation server set to RTM
RE: Microsoft third-party licensing and activation server set to RTM