User:Cgcheung
Christopher Cheung
Username: cgcheung (Contributions)
IRC Nick: Rocketpants
Learn Email: cgcheung@learn.senecac.on.ca
Alternate Email: clyde007@hellokitty.com
Blog: The Cromulent Programmer
OSD600A
Closed vs Open License
An initial task set by OSD600 was to read a closed and open license agreement. For the closed license, I chose Windows 7 Professional, because it's something I've been using for a long time. For the open license, I chose BSD, to compare the two OS licenses.
The BSD license was short, and contained pretty much what I expected, mainly to absolve the original creator of any liability in anyone using the program.
The Windows 7 license, was quite the opposite, written as a 13 page pdf. After spending some time reading through it, several things struck me:
- 2-b. Licensed computer
"You may use the software on up to two processors on the licensed computer at a time." It might require clarification, but does it mean you cannot use Windows 7 on a quad core computer?
- 8. SCOPE OF THE LICENSE
"The software is licensed, not sold." So it means I don't own anything, just loaned the privilege of using Windows 7, for a fee. I wasn't unexpected, but it isn't something I can agree with.
- 10. BACKUP COPY
Basically it says I can only create a single backup copy of Windows 7, whether physically or electronically. So if I have an ISO and a burned DVD copy, I'm in breach of license of agreement!
- 26. LIMITATIONS ON AND EXCLUSION OF DAMAGES
"You can recover from Microsoft and its suppliers only direct damages up to the amount you paid for the software. You cannot recover any other damages, including consequential, lost profits, special, indirect or incidental damages. This limitation applies to... - Microsoft know or should have known about the possibility of damage." The best one on the list. This means if Windows 7 breaks my computer, and Microsoft knew it would, I can't do anything about it.
Talk about signing away your rights.
