Microsoft offers charity-friendly license

MSNBC ^ | April 09, 2004 | Munir Kotadia

[Bush2000]

Microsoft offers charity-friendly license
Groups will legally be able to use donated, refurbished PCs
By Munir Kotadia

Updated: 2:20 p.m. ET April 09, 2004Microsoft has created a special software license for Windows 98 and Windows 2000 that allows charities and schools to use second-hand PCs without breaking the company's end-user license rules.

As pressure increases on businesses to recycle or refurbish their old PCs, a greater number of used systems are finding their way into the hands of charitable organizations and schools. The catch is that, because the computers were sold with corporate licenses, it is effectively illegal for the charities to make use of the computers without falling afoul of Microsoft's license agreement. (MSNBC is a Microsoft - NBC joint venture.)

To address this issue, the company has launched the Microsoft Authorized Refurbishers program, which allows selected companies to install updated versions of either Windows 98 or Windows 2000 to used computers for a "nominal charge" to cover "materials and program operations."

[Bush2000]

Interesting

[CurlyDave]

Why do I think that "no charge" would be much more charity-friendly than whatever Micro$oft considers a "nominal charge"?

Most people give money to charities, but Bill Gates, the richest man in the world, takes money from charities.

[clee1]

Yeah.......

It is my understanding that software becomes freeware once it is no longer commercially available for sale.

A Microsoft sales puke told me that many years ago when I was installing Win3.0 (first real version of Windows) on some old systems after Win95 came out. I was trying to stay "legal"; it was for a private school, but the MS employee said their products were "free for the taking" once they were no longer up for sale. I wonder if that is still true?

[twntaipan]

Why pay MS for old software when those older machines will run nicely with a new Linux distro for free?

[ikka]

However, each of those machines shipped with a valid Win98 license when they were sold.

Since the licenses are not transferable, MS is just basically allowing them to do what they are entitled to do under the law anyways.

[Glenn]

Interesting

No, it isn't.

[Bush2000]

Why do I think that "no charge" would be much more charity-friendly than whatever Micro$oft considers a "nominal charge"? Most people give money to charities, but Bill Gates, the richest man in the world, takes money from charities.

You're ignorant. Gates is one of the leading contributors to charities.

[CurlyDave]

You're ignorant.

You are rude.

I am perfectly aware of Bill Gates' contributions to some charities. All the money he gives goes to left-wing causes.

It is hypocritical of him to enrich some at the expense of others. My point is that he doesn't have to actually contribute to any charity he doesn't like, but to actually take money away from the disfavored ones is just plain wrong.

[N3WBI3]

Yea he loves to help poor people in Africa abort babies, way to go billG

[Bush2000]

You are rude.

Whoopie. Take a number.

I am perfectly aware of Bill Gates' contributions to some charities. All the money he gives goes to left-wing causes.

As is his right: It's his money.

It is hypocritical of him to enrich some at the expense of others. My point is that he doesn't have to actually contribute to any charity he doesn't like, but to actually take money away from the disfavored ones is just plain wrong.

Moot point. This action levels the playing field.

[Bush2000]

Yea he loves to help poor people in Africa abort babies, way to go billG

It's a legitimate issue. But frankly, since it is his money, he gets to choose how he spends it.

[N3WBI3]

lol, I love it BillyG can have whatever politics he wants and thats not really important but the nation that Linus comes from is...

[Bush2000]

lol, I love it BillyG can have whatever politics he wants and thats not really important but the nation that Linus comes from is...

Who said it isn't "really important"? I acknowledged that you've raised a legitimate issue. Seriously, dude, if you're going to flog a strawman, do it on your own time.