[Salo]

Pings.

[ShadowAce]

[The Ghost of FReepers Past]

Mostly I don’t care. As long as it is financially secure, I have nothing to hide. You go out to the store and there are cameras everywhere. That’s worse. But hey, I don’t live in an invisible world.

[TChris]

They know my IP address!!??

Well, since they already know it, I'll just post it on FR for all to see. I mean, why fight the inevitable?

192.168.0.100

There. Now they know everything there is to know about me, and you do too. :-)

[jpl]

Heh. Microsoft Windows Vista, the first Spyware operating system.

[Incorrigible]

Over the top nonsense.

Microsoft has in essence become the IT department for millions of home PC users. If Microsoft didn’t do it, someone would need to step up and do so.

And the data is used to provide empirical and irrefutable evidence to device vendors as to why they need to clean up their programming to improve user experience.

[JamesP81]

This will be abused eventually, mark my words. Uncle Sam won’t be able to stand the fact that someone has such detailed information about the public at large and they don’t have their hands on it.

[McGruff]

If these people know your I.P. www.whatismyip.com, surely Bill Gates does.

[HairOfTheDog]

What a bunch of hyperactive scare language.

Microsoft will get your "Internet protocol address, the type of operating system, browser and name and version of the software you are using, and the language code of the device where you installed the software."

SO WHAT? So does every single website you visit. This is not 'dangerous' or 'scary' or 'private' information.

[dennisw]

I solved this problem by upgrading to Windows XP.
Recently Dell has had some real cheap XP/LCD monitor combos

Such as this one that expired $409 w/ free shipping:
http://forums.slickdeals.net/showthread.php?t=547934

[VRWCRick]

Makes me glad I am running Linux.

[LibLieSlayer]

I have not and will not buy any microsatan software again... NEVER!

LLS

[gcruse]

TIVO knows what I watch and how.
My car’s chips know how I drive.
Microsoft knows what’s on my computer and how I use it.
The grocery store ‘affiliate’ cards tracks what I eat and how much.
When they microchip my toilet, I’m outta here.

[Publius6961]

But is this all? Not even by a long shot. Windows Genuine Advantage, Windows Defender, Support Services, Windows Media Center and Internet Explorer 7 all collect and transmit user data to Microsoft. Don't want them to? Then simply turn them off, or use alternative programs when possible or stop using some services altogether. Otherwise, when your consent is demanded, you can opt for NO.

Easier said than done.
Most users will be unable to know even where to start.

How many of these services can be permanently disabled without crippling the utility of that new computer? How would one go about doing so?

Will VISTA even allow you to use alternative means of watching videos, movies and other content deemed "protected"?

[Steve0113]

No thanks.