WGA feedback to MS

Okay.

First, you jammed a download dwon my throat, forcing a bypass of my "notify"
settings (it's in the forums somewhere).

Now we find you have this "WGA" that talks back to Billy.

Horse manure.

You make me kill any auto updates at all, and I have to go and manually do
it, then this WGA has to load every time.
Every Time?

Today we read it's "Beta".

Okay.

So, the standard warning on "Beta" products is to use at your own risk, or
something to that effect, correct?

And you folks are FORCING us to have this "WGA BETA" jammed into our
computers without that warning or any choice in the matter?

And it cannot be removed once installed?

It's gone now.

I've put off the alternative OS for years, but it looks like you folks are
trying to force the issue.

Feel free to pass this along to anyone who wants to see it.

I am currently researching alternative programs to do what MS was supposed
to do in the first place.

Bit Bucket, there ya go.

Q. "First, you jammed a download down my throat...."

A. No, it was downloaded on your Windows computer.

Q. "Now we find you have this "WGA" that talks back to Billy."

A. No, it communicates with the WGA clearinghouse servers.

Q. "Horse manure."

A. No, its not.

Q. "this WGA has to load every time."

A. Yes, there are periodic revisions made to WGA to combat hacking.

Q. "You make me kill any auto updates at all..."

A. Not true...your made the decision.

Q. "Today we read it's "Beta"."

A. Its beta in the sense it being gradually implemented in select
world geographical regions.

Q. "And you folks are FORCING us to have this "WGA BETA" jammed into our
computers without that warning or any choice in the matter?"

A. Its a critical update to alert you if you are using illegal/pirated/counterfeit software
which may contained hacked or modified system files that could lead to a security issue.


Description of Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA)
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/892130/en-us

The Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) program and
Office Genuine Advantage (OGA) program are part of
Microsoft's on-going effort to protect its customers and
partners from counterfeit software and to increase customer
awareness of the value of genuine Microsoft software.
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/dow...displaylang=en

The Windows Genuine Advantage
http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/dow...yValidate.aspx

Global anti-piracy initiative ensures software authenticity, performance
and support while providing ongoing system improvements.
http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/p...-25WGA1PR.mspx

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows - Shell/User
Microsoft Community Newsgroups
news://msnews.microsoft.com/

---------------------------------------------------------------------------Â*----------------

"Curmudgeon" wrote:

| Okay.
|
| First, you jammed a download dwon my throat, forcing a bypass of my "notify"
| settings (it's in the forums somewhere).
|
| Now we find you have this "WGA" that talks back to Billy.
|
| Horse manure.
|
| You make me kill any auto updates at all, and I have to go and manually do
| it, then this WGA has to load every time.
| Every Time?
|
| Today we read it's "Beta".
|
| Okay.
|
| So, the standard warning on "Beta" products is to use at your own risk, or
| something to that effect, correct?
|
| And you folks are FORCING us to have this "WGA BETA" jammed into our
| computers without that warning or any choice in the matter?
|
| And it cannot be removed once installed?
|
| It's gone now.
|
| I've put off the alternative OS for years, but it looks like you folks are
| trying to force the issue.
|
| Feel free to pass this along to anyone who wants to see it.
|
| I am currently researching alternative programs to do what MS was supposed
| to do in the first place.
|
| Bit Bucket, there ya go.

"Carey Frisch [MVP]" wrote:

> Q. "First, you jammed a download down my throat...."
>
> A. No, it was downloaded on your Windows computer.

The download was the KB900684, I think.
Several months ago.
BIG thread here and on other forums.
If forced a bypass of user-selected settings to get "WGA" into all
computers, near as I can tell from the reading.

>
> Q. "Now we find you have this "WGA" that talks back to Billy."
>
> A. No, it communicates with the WGA clearinghouse servers.

Nobody asked me.
>
> Q. "Horse manure."
>
> A. No, its not.

Absolutely
>
> Q. "this WGA has to load every time."
>
> A. Yes, there are periodic revisions made to WGA to combat hacking.

Hacking? Come on. What you really mean is that MS hasn't figured out how to
make dang near anything the hackers cannot get into.

>
> Q. "You make me kill any auto updates at all..."
>
> A. Not true...your made the decision.

Yup. The folks at MS decide they know best, and override my settings, sure
enough it's my choice.
>
> Q. "Today we read it's "Beta"."
>
> A. Its beta in the sense it being gradually implemented in select
> world geographical regions.

BETA is BETA.
Nobody told us.
In fact, the local reporter this morning quoted a MS spokeperson as saying
they should probably communicate better with customers.
Really?

Eastside Journal:

"Company says users should have been given better notice of contact"
Some guy named David Lazar, who directs the WGA Program.
You want the entire article posted?
I can do that.

>
> Q. "And you folks are FORCING us to have this "WGA BETA" jammed into our
> computers without that warning or any choice in the matter?"
>
> A. Its a critical update to alert you if you are using illegal/pirated/counterfeit software
> which may contained hacked or modified system files that could lead to a security issue.

One time will tell us if we have pirated or counterfeit software.
There is no need, zero, for MS to be monitoring my computer in any way,
shape or form.
I haven't even been able to tell what updates I NEED without WGA loading.

One again, Redmond drops the ball.
Interesting read.
>
>
> Description of Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA)
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/892130/en-us
>
> The Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) program and
> Office Genuine Advantage (OGA) program are part of
> Microsoft's on-going effort to protect its customers and
> partners from counterfeit software and to increase customer
> awareness of the value of genuine Microsoft software.
> http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/dow...displaylang=en
>
> The Windows Genuine Advantage
> http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/dow...yValidate.aspx
>
> Global anti-piracy initiative ensures software authenticity, performance
> and support while providing ongoing system improvements.
> http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/p...-25WGA1PR.mspx
>
> --
> Carey Frisch
> Microsoft MVP
> Windows - Shell/User
> Microsoft Community Newsgroups
> news://msnews.microsoft.com/
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------Â*----------------
>
> "Curmudgeon" wrote:
>
> | Okay.
> |
> | First, you jammed a download dwon my throat, forcing a bypass of my "notify"
> | settings (it's in the forums somewhere).
> |
> | Now we find you have this "WGA" that talks back to Billy.
> |
> | Horse manure.
> |
> | You make me kill any auto updates at all, and I have to go and manually do
> | it, then this WGA has to load every time.
> | Every Time?
> |
> | Today we read it's "Beta".
> |
> | Okay.
> |
> | So, the standard warning on "Beta" products is to use at your own risk, or
> | something to that effect, correct?
> |
> | And you folks are FORCING us to have this "WGA BETA" jammed into our
> | computers without that warning or any choice in the matter?
> |
> | And it cannot be removed once installed?
> |
> | It's gone now.
> |
> | I've put off the alternative OS for years, but it looks like you folks are
> | trying to force the issue.
> |
> | Feel free to pass this along to anyone who wants to see it.
> |
> | I am currently researching alternative programs to do what MS was supposed
> | to do in the first place.
> |
> | Bit Bucket, there ya go.
>
>

"So, override my settings?" on 26APR06 if you want to get up-to-speed.

Carey Frisch [MVP] wrote:
> Q. "First, you jammed a download down my throat...."
>
> A. No, it was downloaded on your Windows computer.
>
> Q. "Now we find you have this "WGA" that talks back to Billy."
>
> A. No, it communicates with the WGA clearinghouse servers.
>
> Q. "Horse manure."
>
> A. No, its not.
>
> Q. "this WGA has to load every time."
>
> A. Yes, there are periodic revisions made to WGA to combat hacking.
>
> Q. "You make me kill any auto updates at all..."
>
> A. Not true...your made the decision.
>
> Q. "Today we read it's "Beta"."
>
> A. Its beta in the sense it being gradually implemented in select
> world geographical regions.
>
> Q. "And you folks are FORCING us to have this "WGA BETA" jammed into our
> computers without that warning or any choice in the matter?"
>
> A. Its a critical update to alert you if you are using illegal/pirated/counterfeit software
> which may contained hacked or modified system files that could lead to a security issue.
>
>
> Description of Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA)
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/892130/en-us
>
> The Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) program and
> Office Genuine Advantage (OGA) program are part of
> Microsoft's on-going effort to protect its customers and
> partners from counterfeit software and to increase customer
> awareness of the value of genuine Microsoft software.
> http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/dow...displaylang=en
>
> The Windows Genuine Advantage
> http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/dow...yValidate.aspx
>
> Global anti-piracy initiative ensures software authenticity, performance
> and support while providing ongoing system improvements.
> http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/p...-25WGA1PR.mspx
>

FWIW, I've had two computers abort with stop code 8 errors, almost simulat

Carey Frisch [MVP] wrote:
> Q. "First, you jammed a download down my throat...."
>
> A. No, it was downloaded on your Windows computer.
>
> Q. "Now we find you have this "WGA" that talks back to Billy."
>
> A. No, it communicates with the WGA clearinghouse servers.
>
> Q. "Horse manure."
>
> A. No, its not.
>
> Q. "this WGA has to load every time."
>
> A. Yes, there are periodic revisions made to WGA to combat hacking.
>
> Q. "You make me kill any auto updates at all..."
>
> A. Not true...your made the decision.
>
> Q. "Today we read it's "Beta"."
>
> A. Its beta in the sense it being gradually implemented in select
> world geographical regions.
>
> Q. "And you folks are FORCING us to have this "WGA BETA" jammed into our
> computers without that warning or any choice in the matter?"
>
> A. Its a critical update to alert you if you are using illegal/pirated/counterfeit software
> which may contained hacked or modified system files that could lead to a security issue.
>
>
> Description of Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA)
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/892130/en-us
>
> The Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) program and
> Office Genuine Advantage (OGA) program are part of
> Microsoft's on-going effort to protect its customers and
> partners from counterfeit software and to increase customer
> awareness of the value of genuine Microsoft software.
> http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/dow...displaylang=en
>
> The Windows Genuine Advantage
> http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/dow...yValidate.aspx
>
> Global anti-piracy initiative ensures software authenticity, performance
> and support while providing ongoing system improvements.
> http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/p...-25WGA1PR.mspx
>

There is no excuse for Microsoft to invoke a 'secret' communications
protocol via this update without notification to anyone on the planet.

Inexcusable. I know and Microsoft knows that my MS programs are legal.
There is no conceivable reason to force this update and then invoke a
secret communications protocol like a common teenage hacker.

You try to explain it in small words so that we can understand the need
for MS to install a common trojan application.

I cannot wait to read your response.

Q

Curmudgeon wrote:
>
> "Carey Frisch [MVP]" wrote:
>
>> Q. "First, you jammed a download down my throat...."
>>
>> A. No, it was downloaded on your Windows computer.
>
> The download was the KB900684, I think.
> Several months ago.
> BIG thread here and on other forums.
> If forced a bypass of user-selected settings to get "WGA" into all
> computers, near as I can tell from the reading.
>
>> Q. "Now we find you have this "WGA" that talks back to Billy."
>>
>> A. No, it communicates with the WGA clearinghouse servers.
>
> Nobody asked me.
>> Q. "Horse manure."
>>
>> A. No, its not.
>
> Absolutely
>> Q. "this WGA has to load every time."
>>
>> A. Yes, there are periodic revisions made to WGA to combat hacking.
>
> Hacking? Come on. What you really mean is that MS hasn't figured out how to
> make dang near anything the hackers cannot get into.
>
>> Q. "You make me kill any auto updates at all..."
>>
>> A. Not true...your made the decision.
>
> Yup. The folks at MS decide they know best, and override my settings, sure
> enough it's my choice.
>> Q. "Today we read it's "Beta"."
>>
>> A. Its beta in the sense it being gradually implemented in select
>> world geographical regions.
>
> BETA is BETA.
> Nobody told us.
> In fact, the local reporter this morning quoted a MS spokeperson as saying
> they should probably communicate better with customers.
> Really?
>
> Eastside Journal:
>
> "Company says users should have been given better notice of contact"
> Some guy named David Lazar, who directs the WGA Program.
> You want the entire article posted?
> I can do that.
>
>> Q. "And you folks are FORCING us to have this "WGA BETA" jammed into our
>> computers without that warning or any choice in the matter?"
>>
>> A. Its a critical update to alert you if you are using illegal/pirated/counterfeit software
>> which may contained hacked or modified system files that could lead to a security issue.
>
> One time will tell us if we have pirated or counterfeit software.
> There is no need, zero, for MS to be monitoring my computer in any way,
> shape or form.
> I haven't even been able to tell what updates I NEED without WGA loading.
>
> One again, Redmond drops the ball.
> Interesting read.
>>
>> Description of Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA)
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/892130/en-us
>>
>> The Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) program and
>> Office Genuine Advantage (OGA) program are part of
>> Microsoft's on-going effort to protect its customers and
>> partners from counterfeit software and to increase customer
>> awareness of the value of genuine Microsoft software.
>> http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/dow...displaylang=en
>>
>> The Windows Genuine Advantage
>> http://www.microsoft.com/genuine/dow...yValidate.aspx
>>
>> Global anti-piracy initiative ensures software authenticity, performance
>> and support while providing ongoing system improvements.
>> http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/p...-25WGA1PR.mspx
>>
>> --
>> Carey Frisch
>> Microsoft MVP
>> Windows - Shell/User
>> Microsoft Community Newsgroups
>> news://msnews.microsoft.com/
>>
>> ---------------------------------------------------------------------------Â*----------------
>>
>> "Curmudgeon" wrote:
>>
>> | Okay.
>> |
>> | First, you jammed a download dwon my throat, forcing a bypass of my "notify"
>> | settings (it's in the forums somewhere).
>> |
>> | Now we find you have this "WGA" that talks back to Billy.
>> |
>> | Horse manure.
>> |
>> | You make me kill any auto updates at all, and I have to go and manually do
>> | it, then this WGA has to load every time.
>> | Every Time?
>> |
>> | Today we read it's "Beta".
>> |
>> | Okay.
>> |
>> | So, the standard warning on "Beta" products is to use at your own risk, or
>> | something to that effect, correct?
>> |
>> | And you folks are FORCING us to have this "WGA BETA" jammed into our
>> | computers without that warning or any choice in the matter?
>> |
>> | And it cannot be removed once installed?
>> |
>> | It's gone now.
>> |
>> | I've put off the alternative OS for years, but it looks like you folks are
>> | trying to force the issue.
>> |
>> | Feel free to pass this along to anyone who wants to see it.
>> |
>> | I am currently researching alternative programs to do what MS was supposed
>> | to do in the first place.
>> |
>> | Bit Bucket, there ya go.
>>
>>

MS should be prosectuted like a common criminal hacker for installing
what is, in essence, a trojan application.

Q

"Quaoar" <> schrieb:

> There is no excuse for Microsoft to invoke a 'secret' communications
> protocol via this update without notification to anyone on the planet.

ACK. Who ever reads EULAs in case he/she is presented one?

"Interesting" article:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060607/...itoring_piracy

And *please* post your feedback and comments to that infamous
WGA Notifcation tool over in the WGA forums, respecting the
forum rules:
http://forums.microsoft.com/Genuine/...rumGroupID=125

Bye,
Freudi

Freudi-

I read the damn things.
Also, the dates I quoted, 26APR06, I believe, is when MS overrode personal
settings and crammed WGA into lordknows how many computers, without any
chance of selecting "don't accept".
You go over to the site you quote and they want a whole new sign-in to
participate.
My log-in here apparently isn't good enough for them over there.

They gave you the option in April to decline?

"Ottmar Freudenberger" wrote:

> "Quaoar" <> schrieb:
>
> > There is no excuse for Microsoft to invoke a 'secret' communications
> > protocol via this update without notification to anyone on the planet.
>
> ACK. Who ever reads EULAs in case he/she is presented one?
>
> "Interesting" article:
> http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060607/...itoring_piracy
>
> And *please* post your feedback and comments to that infamous
> WGA Notifcation tool over in the WGA forums, respecting the
> forum rules:
> http://forums.microsoft.com/Genuine/...rumGroupID=125
>
> Bye,
> Freudi
>

Curmudgeon <> wrote:

> Also, the dates I quoted, 26APR06, I believe, is when MS overrode
> personal settings and crammed WGA into lordknows how many computers,
> without any chance of selecting "don't accept".

I don't believe this to be true. In this forum, only you have asserted this,
in an earlier post. I have seen no evidence in support of this assertion.
It didn't happen with me, and it didn't happen with anyone else I know.

> They gave you the option in April to decline?

Yes, at two levels.

(1) After the Automatic Update notification, I chose to custom review the
available updates, and this one was listed, and I chose to install it.

(2) After I chose to install it, it came up with an EULA, which I had an
opportunity to accept or to refuse. I chose to accept it.


--
Robin Walker [MVP Networking]