[Linux-aus] [Osia-discuss] If you could ask Microsoft a question...

[Ian Dunn]

Daniel Mons wrote:
> This is honestly a question I would like answered by someone.
>
> If purchasing a piece of hardware from a supplier of my choice that
> comes bundled (without my consent) with Windows, and upon clicking "I
> disagree" to the license agreement, the software is disabled and I am
> free of my licensing costs.  Microsoft themselves have said they will
> refund licenses in these cases, yet the hoops one has to jump through to
> get there are ridiculous (I've tried and failed in the past with a
> number of laptop manufacturers).  When will the process of returning
> unwanted licenses in Australia be improved?  I have a number of OEM
> licenses I don't want or use, and paying for them is inconvenient, as is
> the idea of being considered a "successful sale" or "happy customer" by
> Microsoft marketing when I clearly don't use their product.  Microsoft
> have promised to fix this, and I'd like to know what the timeline is to
> have this completed.
>
> [snip]
>
> -Dan
>
>   

I fully agree with this too, but believe that the problem is with the
hardware suppliers.

Surely it's time for transparent pricing - so when we buy a PC we can
see how much *everything* is - including any software licensing.

I would personally like to see the end of OEM OS's as they can
prematurely end the life of a PC, either that or enforce some
legislation ensuring the price of the OEM software is within a
percentage of that of retail - to remove the 'it's cheaper to buy a new
machine than upgrade it' mentality.

ian