As many of you know, the new version of Windows has come along to replace Vista, the much-maligned OS from Microsoft. Windows 7 is supposed to be this huge improvement on Vista. Now I don’t want to get into the many arguments one way or the other. Frankly, it doesn’t matter. New laptops will come with the new OS and have increased functionality as a result. At some point, upgrading will not be optional. It’s just the way it goes…

My complaint is this: I paid for Vista – it came with my Acer laptop. I also have TWO Vista install CDs, also paid for. One came with a new computer, and the other was purchased, retail. Every few days I get a notification that Vista needs to be verified. It is ridiculous that this continues to happen. But the annoying thing is, I have twice had to call Microsoft to have my software “approved.” When it happened the third time, I went and found a crack for it on youtube, and I’ve not had a nag note from Microsoft since.

Now I ask you – how is it that I’ve spent close to a thousand dollars for legitimate software, that MS acknowledges as legitimate, and yet, in order to use the software, I have to hack it? Does this make sense to anyone? Is it not an infringement on my rights that Microsoft continues to ASSUME I am guilty, without any evidence? A police officer could not check me out on the off chance I might be doing something illegal, unless he had some “reasonable cause.” How is Microsoft able to circumvent this principle cornerstone of our society?

Now I hear that Windows 7 has the same problem! People are complaining that they are being nagged to death about their legitimate software. CNET has posted a link to a youtube video on how to crack Windows 7.

Ironically, a Microsoft exec claimed that Windows 7 was based on Apple’s OS X. Of course, they are back tracking on that now, but clearly, any idiot with a quarter of a brain can see that 7 has similarities to X… Personally, I don’t care. BUT, it is astonishing to me how Microsoft works so hard to keep legitimate users from using their purchases, while picking and choosing cool tools from other people without paying or acknowledging their work.

Microsoft claims that they are only doing it to insure they are paid. Well I’ve paid. It’s time they did too. I should be paid each time they call me a thief and they are wrong. Clearly, they are defaming me and my reputation. This kind of needless and repeated intrusion into my privacy is unconscionable. Microsoft must stop.