software rip-off and support headaches

[sparky]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

Robert R Kircher, Jr. wrote:

> Ben,
>
> I believe there is a new option on several of the Dell systems which allows
> you to request the media. In anyevent I have never received a Dell without
> the full media set so this, if true, has to be a new thing.
>
> On the software licensing issue, I've always disagreed with the concept of
> software being tied to a particular PC. But this is one of the draw backs
> to discounted software bundled with new PC. Right or wrong MS (and other
> software companies) recoup their loss (discount) by forcing the end user to
> purchase another copy of the software at retail prices. Frankly, I think
> software in general cost way too much, but having been in the software
> development end of the deal, it also cost the software companies way too
> much to produce the software. High salaries, poor management, buggy
> products, unrealistic goals and schedule, all take their toll which is
> passed onto the consumer.

So the prices will be coming down now that the tech jobs are being
outsourced offshore? (probably not)

 

[sparky]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

Molly wrote:

> Dell and Microsoft should let the consumer know the true price of an OEM
> product. Is software buying coming down to car buying? Are we as consumers
> always going to be taken for a ride? The bottom line is profit, not consumer
> awareness.

Well, DUH, that's not news.

Sorry if that sounds harsh; but I doubt you can name any companies who
aren't after profits, after all, that's what companies are all about.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

Jupiter Jones <jones_jupiter@hotnomail.com> wrote:
> The "policies" are also part of the agreement.
> If someone thinks something they agree to is "nonsense", they should
> choose another product.

> As for the educational version, the EULAs I have read state to the
> effect the license to use expires once class etc is over.
> Read the EULA you agreed for details.

The MS EULA for educational software doesn't contain the word "expire."
It does have several references to limitations of installation.
And this clause looks interesting: (it's the only one I saw that
even looked relevant to expiration)

That two-line clause reads:
The license granted herein for use of the Software is a
personal learning license /intended/ [emphasis is mine]
for non-commercial purposes by Qualified Educational Users
and members of the same household as the Qualified
Educational User.

Get your lawyer glasses. The word "intended" doesn't sound definitive
to me. Does intention count? This is a document in ~9 pt font which
further invites mail-in requests for more elaborate details. Is granny
going to understand this? No. But if I read the document correctly,
my son is qualified to use the software. He just started kindergarten.
Shoppers in a similar context could enjoy Office 2003 Educational
for the next 12 years.

Why the anti-consumerism? (not you personally, just a collection of replies
posts blaming the OP) You're arguing against your own best interest as well
as your brethren. The spirit of the OEM EULA is to force new sales. The
RIAA tried this. What a nightmare.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

lol. new growth market for ms; cradle robbing. but seriously, i think the
key in that paragraph is 'qualified' as used in 'qualified educational
users.' what they mean by that is more of a mystery than the use of the
word 'intended.' perhaps they detail that elsewhere? also, i have heard
that you have to fax some sort of proof of qualification in order to get
activated? any insight on that? student or faculty id perhaps?

"AbsintheFish" <fishh@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:cis6ek$t3$1@gondor.sdsu.edu...
> Jupiter Jones <jones_jupiter@hotnomail.com> wrote:
> > The "policies" are also part of the agreement.
> > If someone thinks something they agree to is "nonsense", they should
> > choose another product.
>
> > As for the educational version, the EULAs I have read state to the
> > effect the license to use expires once class etc is over.
> > Read the EULA you agreed for details.
>
> The MS EULA for educational software doesn't contain the word "expire."
> It does have several references to limitations of installation.
> And this clause looks interesting: (it's the only one I saw that
> even looked relevant to expiration)
>
> That two-line clause reads:
> The license granted herein for use of the Software is a
> personal learning license /intended/ [emphasis is mine]
> for non-commercial purposes by Qualified Educational Users
> and members of the same household as the Qualified
> Educational User.
>
> Get your lawyer glasses. The word "intended" doesn't sound definitive
> to me. Does intention count? This is a document in ~9 pt font which
> further invites mail-in requests for more elaborate details. Is granny
> going to understand this? No. But if I read the document correctly,
> my son is qualified to use the software. He just started kindergarten.
> Shoppers in a similar context could enjoy Office 2003 Educational
> for the next 12 years.
>
> Why the anti-consumerism? (not you personally, just a collection of
replies
> posts blaming the OP) You're arguing against your own best interest as
well
> as your brethren. The spirit of the OEM EULA is to force new sales. The
> RIAA tried this. What a nightmare.
>
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

Christopher Muto <muto@worldnet.att.net> wrote:
> lol. new growth market for ms; cradle robbing.

Yeah, no kidding!

> but seriously, i think the
> key in that paragraph is 'qualified' as used in 'qualified educational
> users.' what they mean by that is more of a mystery than the use of the
> word 'intended.' perhaps they detail that elsewhere?

The EULA suggests mailing Microsoft for the definition. But a search
of Microsoft's web site gets a definition, probably the official one.
K through Higher Ed qualify. Preschool qualifies. Technical schools
qualify. Accreditation is key event for most of these.

Now tell me, what preschooler is going to be looking for Office?
I guess if there's a very complex marble tournament, maybe the
kids could organize the elimination rounds in Excel or something.

I haven't read the EULA before to be honest. Anyone in the same household
is licensed to use the product. All the cradle robbers are completely
legal.

> also, i have heard
> that you have to fax some sort of proof of qualification in order to get
> activated? any insight on that? student or faculty id perhaps?

Well, I work for a college system. Our bookstores require students
to show an ID for purchases. I've scanned and mailed my ID to a few
places to make purchases. I don't know if these things swim upstream
to Microsoft. I doubt it. If anything, there's probably a loose
audit or agreement signed between Microsoft and the retailer agreeing
to abide to practices.

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

Normally there is no verification that you qualify for the software
before you buy.
There used to be but that ended about 3 years ago.

Contrary to what some think, Microsoft does trust you when you agree
to the EULA.

--
Jupiter Jones
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/


"AbsintheFish" <fishh@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:cisse4$6hn$1@gondor.sdsu.edu...
>
> The EULA suggests mailing Microsoft for the definition. But a
> search
> of Microsoft's web site gets a definition, probably the official
> one.
> K through Higher Ed qualify. Preschool qualifies. Technical
> schools
> qualify. Accreditation is key event for most of these.
>
> Now tell me, what preschooler is going to be looking for Office?
> I guess if there's a very complex marble tournament, maybe the
> kids could organize the elimination rounds in Excel or something.
>
> I haven't read the EULA before to be honest. Anyone in the same
> household
> is licensed to use the product. All the cradle robbers are
> completely
> legal.
>
>> also, i have heard
>> that you have to fax some sort of proof of qualification in order
>> to get
>> activated? any insight on that? student or faculty id perhaps?
>
> Well, I work for a college system. Our bookstores require students
> to show an ID for purchases. I've scanned and mailed my ID to a few
> places to make purchases. I don't know if these things swim
> upstream
> to Microsoft. I doubt it. If anything, there's probably a loose
> audit or agreement signed between Microsoft and the retailer
> agreeing
> to abide to practices.
>
>

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

Jupiter Jones <jones_jupiter@hotnomail.com> wrote:
> Normally there is no verification that you qualify for the software
> before you buy.
> There used to be but that ended about 3 years ago.

> Contrary to what some think, Microsoft does trust you when you agree
> to the EULA.

"Jupiter", (I'm adopting your love of quotes)

Just to be clear, everything in this vein of the thread is legal to the
letter of the law.

I think you are missing the gist of the thread. Microsoft is sloppy
in screwing the consumer just as much as they are sloppy in giving
perks. It's arbitrary. It's "nonsense."

 

[Guest]

Archived from groups: alt.sys.pc-clone.dell (More info?)

In article <4150234c.977684@news.charter.net>, ben_myers_spam_me_not @
charter.net (Ben Myers) (ben_myers_spam_me_not @ charter.net (Ben
Myers)) says...

> One more comment. As I have found in dealing with one of my clients who got
> Office XPee pre-installed when she bought a new Dell notebook, Dell does NOT
> supply you with a copy of the Office CD.

That was a shipping error. Dell ships the disks for all installed
software. She should have reported the problem to customer support.

--
http://home.teleport.com/~larryc