Microsoft should improve copy protection.

[Bob]

Recently I had a very aggravating experience with your copy protection. I
travel often. My current trip requires me to be away from home for another 2
months. During this time I found it necessary to use the restore disks
provided by the manufacturer of my laptop system to restore my laptop to its
original state. I briing these with me, along with the other software disks
that I think I might require to thouroughly restore my system in cases where
it may be required. This included my previously licensed copy of Office XP
Pro -- Upgrade version.

When I went to restore my copy of Office I was not able to do so because I
had failed to bring my copy of the qualifying upgrade product. This occurred
because I had forgotten that when I had originally installed it, I had a copy
of the qualifying product. I attempted to get help from a Microsoft MVP on
one of the newsgroups, and was told the only way to install my copy of the
Office Upgrade version was if I had access to the qualifying product.

Since I had previously licensed my copy of Office XP and was installing it
on the same system I had previously installed it on, I would think that
Microsoft should have some means to permit me to reinstall it without the
qualifying product. In my case, I had to purchase another copy of Office Pro
in order to get the capability I had already previously purchased. This was
both costly and a severe inconvenience.

While this is certainly good for Microsoft, I must tell you that there is a
downside as well. If there is ever a competing product that has reasonable
compatibility with the functions provided by Office, I will move to that
competing product in a heart beat. To me, this is just one more instance
where Microsoft's business practices alienate many of its customers. I am
certain that you must be aware that a significant percentage of your
customers probably have feelings similar to my own.


----------------
This post is a suggestion for Microsoft, and Microsoft responds to the
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http://www.microsoft.com/office/com...0a6e20929817&dg=microsoft.public.office.setup

 

[ANONYMOUS]

Since I had previously licensed my copy of Office XP and was installing it
on the same system I had previously installed it on, I would think that
Microsoft should have some means to permit me to reinstall it without the
qualifying product. In my case, I had to purchase another copy of Office Pro
in order to get the capability I had already previously purchased. This was
both costly and a severe inconvenience.

In future you should seriously consider buying FULL RETAIL VERSIONS
which requires no qualifying products and are generally very covenient
to carry with you. Alternatively, you should consider getting a copy of
Microsoft Works as well as your upgrade version of Office as WORKS is a
qualifying product.

While this is certainly good for Microsoft, I must tell you that there is a
downside as well. If there is ever a competing product that has reasonable
compatibility with the functions provided by Office, I will move to that
competing product in a heart beat. To me, this is just one more instance
where Microsoft's business practices alienate many of its customers. I am
certain that you must be aware that a significant percentage of your
customers probably have feelings similar to my own.

There is a competing product out there and it is called OpenOffice. See
this link:

http://www.openoffice.org

WordPerfect Office also claims to be 100% compatible with MSOffice. So
you should explore this product as well.

100 million people are still using MS Office and so Microsoft must be
doing something right.

 

[ANONYMOUS]

Since I had previously licensed my copy of Office XP and was installing it
on the same system I had previously installed it on, I would think that
Microsoft should have some means to permit me to reinstall it without the
qualifying product. In my case, I had to purchase another copy of Office Pro
in order to get the capability I had already previously purchased. This was
both costly and a severe inconvenience.

In future you should seriously consider buying FULL RETAIL VERSIONS
which requires no qualifying products and are generally very covenient
to carry with you. Alternatively, you should consider getting a copy of
Microsoft Works as well as your upgrade version of Office as WORKS is a
qualifying product.

While this is certainly good for Microsoft, I must tell you that there is a
downside as well. If there is ever a competing product that has reasonable
compatibility with the functions provided by Office, I will move to that
competing product in a heart beat. To me, this is just one more instance
where Microsoft's business practices alienate many of its customers. I am
certain that you must be aware that a significant percentage of your
customers probably have feelings similar to my own.

There is a competing product out there and it is called OpenOffice. See
this link:

http://www.openoffice.org

WordPerfect Office also claims to be 100% compatible with MSOffice. So
you should explore this product as well.

100 million people are still using MS Office and so Microsoft must be
doing something right.

 

[ANONYMOUS]

Since I had previously licensed my copy of Office XP and was installing it
on the same system I had previously installed it on, I would think that
Microsoft should have some means to permit me to reinstall it without the
qualifying product. In my case, I had to purchase another copy of Office Pro
in order to get the capability I had already previously purchased. This was
both costly and a severe inconvenience.

In future you should seriously consider buying FULL RETAIL VERSIONS
which requires no qualifying products and are generally very covenient
to carry with you. Alternatively, you should consider getting a copy of
Microsoft Works as well as your upgrade version of Office as WORKS is a
qualifying product.

While this is certainly good for Microsoft, I must tell you that there is a
downside as well. If there is ever a competing product that has reasonable
compatibility with the functions provided by Office, I will move to that
competing product in a heart beat. To me, this is just one more instance
where Microsoft's business practices alienate many of its customers. I am
certain that you must be aware that a significant percentage of your
customers probably have feelings similar to my own.

There is a competing product out there and it is called OpenOffice. See
this link:

http://www.openoffice.org

WordPerfect Office also claims to be 100% compatible with MSOffice. So
you should explore this product as well.

100 million people are still using MS Office and so Microsoft must be
doing something right.

 

[ANONYMOUS]

Since I had previously licensed my copy of Office XP and was installing it
on the same system I had previously installed it on, I would think that
Microsoft should have some means to permit me to reinstall it without the
qualifying product. In my case, I had to purchase another copy of Office Pro
in order to get the capability I had already previously purchased. This was
both costly and a severe inconvenience.

In future you should seriously consider buying FULL RETAIL VERSIONS
which requires no qualifying products and are generally very covenient
to carry with you. Alternatively, you should consider getting a copy of
Microsoft Works as well as your upgrade version of Office as WORKS is a
qualifying product.

While this is certainly good for Microsoft, I must tell you that there is a
downside as well. If there is ever a competing product that has reasonable
compatibility with the functions provided by Office, I will move to that
competing product in a heart beat. To me, this is just one more instance
where Microsoft's business practices alienate many of its customers. I am
certain that you must be aware that a significant percentage of your
customers probably have feelings similar to my own.

There is a competing product out there and it is called OpenOffice. See
this link:

http://www.openoffice.org

WordPerfect Office also claims to be 100% compatible with MSOffice. So
you should explore this product as well.

100 million people are still using MS Office and so Microsoft must be
doing something right.

 

[ANONYMOUS]

Since I had previously licensed my copy of Office XP and was installing it
on the same system I had previously installed it on, I would think that
Microsoft should have some means to permit me to reinstall it without the
qualifying product. In my case, I had to purchase another copy of Office Pro
in order to get the capability I had already previously purchased. This was
both costly and a severe inconvenience.

In future you should seriously consider buying FULL RETAIL VERSIONS
which requires no qualifying products and are generally very covenient
to carry with you. Alternatively, you should consider getting a copy of
Microsoft Works as well as your upgrade version of Office as WORKS is a
qualifying product.

While this is certainly good for Microsoft, I must tell you that there is a
downside as well. If there is ever a competing product that has reasonable
compatibility with the functions provided by Office, I will move to that
competing product in a heart beat. To me, this is just one more instance
where Microsoft's business practices alienate many of its customers. I am
certain that you must be aware that a significant percentage of your
customers probably have feelings similar to my own.

There is a competing product out there and it is called OpenOffice. See
this link:

http://www.openoffice.org

WordPerfect Office also claims to be 100% compatible with MSOffice. So
you should explore this product as well.

100 million people are still using MS Office and so Microsoft must be
doing something right.

 

[ANONYMOUS]

Since I had previously licensed my copy of Office XP and was installing it
on the same system I had previously installed it on, I would think that
Microsoft should have some means to permit me to reinstall it without the
qualifying product. In my case, I had to purchase another copy of Office Pro
in order to get the capability I had already previously purchased. This was
both costly and a severe inconvenience.

In future you should seriously consider buying FULL RETAIL VERSIONS
which requires no qualifying products and are generally very covenient
to carry with you. Alternatively, you should consider getting a copy of
Microsoft Works as well as your upgrade version of Office as WORKS is a
qualifying product.

While this is certainly good for Microsoft, I must tell you that there is a
downside as well. If there is ever a competing product that has reasonable
compatibility with the functions provided by Office, I will move to that
competing product in a heart beat. To me, this is just one more instance
where Microsoft's business practices alienate many of its customers. I am
certain that you must be aware that a significant percentage of your
customers probably have feelings similar to my own.

There is a competing product out there and it is called OpenOffice. See
this link:

http://www.openoffice.org

WordPerfect Office also claims to be 100% compatible with MSOffice. So
you should explore this product as well.

100 million people are still using MS Office and so Microsoft must be
doing something right.

 

[ANONYMOUS]

Since I had previously licensed my copy of Office XP and was installing it
on the same system I had previously installed it on, I would think that
Microsoft should have some means to permit me to reinstall it without the
qualifying product. In my case, I had to purchase another copy of Office Pro
in order to get the capability I had already previously purchased. This was
both costly and a severe inconvenience.

In future you should seriously consider buying FULL RETAIL VERSIONS
which requires no qualifying products and are generally very covenient
to carry with you. Alternatively, you should consider getting a copy of
Microsoft Works as well as your upgrade version of Office as WORKS is a
qualifying product.

While this is certainly good for Microsoft, I must tell you that there is a
downside as well. If there is ever a competing product that has reasonable
compatibility with the functions provided by Office, I will move to that
competing product in a heart beat. To me, this is just one more instance
where Microsoft's business practices alienate many of its customers. I am
certain that you must be aware that a significant percentage of your
customers probably have feelings similar to my own.

There is a competing product out there and it is called OpenOffice. See
this link:

http://www.openoffice.org

WordPerfect Office also claims to be 100% compatible with MSOffice. So
you should explore this product as well.

100 million people are still using MS Office and so Microsoft must be
doing something right.

 

[ANONYMOUS]

Since I had previously licensed my copy of Office XP and was installing it
on the same system I had previously installed it on, I would think that
Microsoft should have some means to permit me to reinstall it without the
qualifying product. In my case, I had to purchase another copy of Office Pro
in order to get the capability I had already previously purchased. This was
both costly and a severe inconvenience.

In future you should seriously consider buying FULL RETAIL VERSIONS
which requires no qualifying products and are generally very covenient
to carry with you. Alternatively, you should consider getting a copy of
Microsoft Works as well as your upgrade version of Office as WORKS is a
qualifying product.

While this is certainly good for Microsoft, I must tell you that there is a
downside as well. If there is ever a competing product that has reasonable
compatibility with the functions provided by Office, I will move to that
competing product in a heart beat. To me, this is just one more instance
where Microsoft's business practices alienate many of its customers. I am
certain that you must be aware that a significant percentage of your
customers probably have feelings similar to my own.

There is a competing product out there and it is called OpenOffice. See
this link:

http://www.openoffice.org

WordPerfect Office also claims to be 100% compatible with MSOffice. So
you should explore this product as well.

100 million people are still using MS Office and so Microsoft must be
doing something right.

 

[John Thomas Smith]

aggravating experience with your copy protection

As far as I know, Microsoft does not read or reply here, this is
only a location for product users to talk to and help each other

If you want to contact Microsoft, you'll need to go to their
website and try to find a link or telephone number


John Thomas Smith
http://www.direct2usales.com
http://www.pacifier.com/~jtsmith

 

[John Thomas Smith]

aggravating experience with your copy protection

As far as I know, Microsoft does not read or reply here, this is
only a location for product users to talk to and help each other

If you want to contact Microsoft, you'll need to go to their
website and try to find a link or telephone number


John Thomas Smith
http://www.direct2usales.com
http://www.pacifier.com/~jtsmith

 

[John Thomas Smith]

aggravating experience with your copy protection

As far as I know, Microsoft does not read or reply here, this is
only a location for product users to talk to and help each other

If you want to contact Microsoft, you'll need to go to their
website and try to find a link or telephone number


John Thomas Smith
http://www.direct2usales.com
http://www.pacifier.com/~jtsmith

 

[John Thomas Smith]

aggravating experience with your copy protection

As far as I know, Microsoft does not read or reply here, this is
only a location for product users to talk to and help each other

If you want to contact Microsoft, you'll need to go to their
website and try to find a link or telephone number


John Thomas Smith
http://www.direct2usales.com
http://www.pacifier.com/~jtsmith

 

[John Thomas Smith]

aggravating experience with your copy protection

As far as I know, Microsoft does not read or reply here, this is
only a location for product users to talk to and help each other

If you want to contact Microsoft, you'll need to go to their
website and try to find a link or telephone number


John Thomas Smith
http://www.direct2usales.com
http://www.pacifier.com/~jtsmith

 

[John Thomas Smith]

aggravating experience with your copy protection

As far as I know, Microsoft does not read or reply here, this is
only a location for product users to talk to and help each other

If you want to contact Microsoft, you'll need to go to their
website and try to find a link or telephone number


John Thomas Smith
http://www.direct2usales.com
http://www.pacifier.com/~jtsmith

 

[John Thomas Smith]

aggravating experience with your copy protection

As far as I know, Microsoft does not read or reply here, this is
only a location for product users to talk to and help each other

If you want to contact Microsoft, you'll need to go to their
website and try to find a link or telephone number


John Thomas Smith
http://www.direct2usales.com
http://www.pacifier.com/~jtsmith

 

[John Thomas Smith]

aggravating experience with your copy protection

As far as I know, Microsoft does not read or reply here, this is
only a location for product users to talk to and help each other

If you want to contact Microsoft, you'll need to go to their
website and try to find a link or telephone number


John Thomas Smith
http://www.direct2usales.com
http://www.pacifier.com/~jtsmith

 

[Gerry Hickman]

Hi Bob,

it may be required. This included my previously licensed copy of Office XP
Pro -- Upgrade version.

When I went to restore my copy of Office I was not able to do so because I
had failed to bring my copy of the qualifying upgrade product.

I think this is a fair point for a non-technical home user; they would
not expect this head-ache when re-installing a product they'd paid for.
Those of us who work in the industry and used to this kind of thing so
we take steps to ensure we never get caught out.

qualifying product. In my case, I had to purchase another copy of Office Pro
in order to get the capability I had already previously purchased. This was
both costly and a severe inconvenience.

While this is certainly good for Microsoft, I must tell you that there is a
downside as well. If there is ever a competing product

I tend to agree; I'd never consider buying Microsoft Office as a private
user ever again, not with the new activation scheme. My workplace
currently pays into a scheme that allows staff to use one copy on their
home PC, so I still run it at home, but after that's gone, I'll be using
OpenOffice.

http://www.openoffice.org/

For home users I've started to produce CD builds of Linux and Office;
all free, no more silly activation or unreasonable (and arguably illegal
outside the US) EULAs.

 

[Gerry Hickman]

Hi Bob,

it may be required. This included my previously licensed copy of Office XP
Pro -- Upgrade version.

When I went to restore my copy of Office I was not able to do so because I
had failed to bring my copy of the qualifying upgrade product.

I think this is a fair point for a non-technical home user; they would
not expect this head-ache when re-installing a product they'd paid for.
Those of us who work in the industry and used to this kind of thing so
we take steps to ensure we never get caught out.

qualifying product. In my case, I had to purchase another copy of Office Pro
in order to get the capability I had already previously purchased. This was
both costly and a severe inconvenience.

While this is certainly good for Microsoft, I must tell you that there is a
downside as well. If there is ever a competing product

I tend to agree; I'd never consider buying Microsoft Office as a private
user ever again, not with the new activation scheme. My workplace
currently pays into a scheme that allows staff to use one copy on their
home PC, so I still run it at home, but after that's gone, I'll be using
OpenOffice.

http://www.openoffice.org/

For home users I've started to produce CD builds of Linux and Office;
all free, no more silly activation or unreasonable (and arguably illegal
outside the US) EULAs.

 

[Gerry Hickman]

Hi Bob,

it may be required. This included my previously licensed copy of Office XP
Pro -- Upgrade version.

When I went to restore my copy of Office I was not able to do so because I
had failed to bring my copy of the qualifying upgrade product.

I think this is a fair point for a non-technical home user; they would
not expect this head-ache when re-installing a product they'd paid for.
Those of us who work in the industry and used to this kind of thing so
we take steps to ensure we never get caught out.

qualifying product. In my case, I had to purchase another copy of Office Pro
in order to get the capability I had already previously purchased. This was
both costly and a severe inconvenience.

While this is certainly good for Microsoft, I must tell you that there is a
downside as well. If there is ever a competing product

I tend to agree; I'd never consider buying Microsoft Office as a private
user ever again, not with the new activation scheme. My workplace
currently pays into a scheme that allows staff to use one copy on their
home PC, so I still run it at home, but after that's gone, I'll be using
OpenOffice.

http://www.openoffice.org/

For home users I've started to produce CD builds of Linux and Office;
all free, no more silly activation or unreasonable (and arguably illegal
outside the US) EULAs.