PCFormat Forum Archive

/taken from Star's build thread...

Since we have this lovely little section why not get a nice discussion going...

So in Star's build thread I posted a link a to a patch that will give Windows Home Basic the Aero features of Home Premium:

http://feeds.gawker.com/~r/lifehacker/f ... er-edition

Get Missing Aero Glass and Other Personalization Features in Windows 7 Home Basic and Starter Edition

Windows 7: The Starter and Home Basic editions of Windows 7 are crippled when it comes to customization. If you want Aero Glass, Aero Peek, or just wallpaper switching from the desktop context menu, here's a handy patch.

The small EXE file, created by a "Mr. Dusha" and posted by Microsoft MVP Vishal Gupta (known as VG here on Lifehacker), patches system files to enable all the personalization features of Windows Ultimate.

(Note: lacking a Home Basic or Starter machine, we haven't personally tested this out, but from the comments the patch works simply and as promised. To uninstall, Vishal writes you can re-run the patch or type in sfc /scannow at the command prompt.)

So the question is, would this type of thing be considered illegal?

Well if its microsofts Aero Glass then yes but I cant see that if it is the other guys that it would be considered illegal. After all "themes" has been modifying windows since win98 and we've seen 3D background programs, top launch bars, sidebars before windows vista so I can't see that as illegal.

Patching something to get you the full package is a grey area. Office gets distributed as a single package and your license key gets you rights to use whatever part of the package you may use. In this light I'd say an system unlock pass above your license is illegal. But use another guys program to give you the same access and features isn't.

As an aside, does software/gaming have something like a "fair use" clause? I'm not talking about anything Open Source but proprietary software. Fansubs for games?

I think it should be illegal.

I buy software for access control systems and get what is required for a specific installation e.g. amount of cards, controllers, specific functionalities etc.
If we need to expand on the system e.g. import site maps or whatever, we need to buy additional licenses. Even though the functionality exists in the software as installed but hasn't been enabled.

Same thing here. The OS has the functionality but it hasn't been included. On purpose not through oversight.
If you want to use the functionality - pay up.

doo_much wrote:If you want to use the functionality - pay up.

Blasphemy. I am disappoint.

Mmmm, well I know one windows mod that is most certainly illegal. The *cough Windows 7 activator cough*

Btw how can customisation software be illegal....all you are doing is changing the appearance of the windows desktop to suite your taste

Stig, if you customise you change something in the software - or add and if its not sanctioned by the originator its illegal.

Its like drawing a mustache on the Mona Lisa...

In this case it isn't about adding 3rd party software to the OS. It is an app that unlocks a higher windows license. If your using some open source app that enables the higher functions through their own code then microsoft has no say in it.

jee wrote:Stig, if you customise you change something in the software - or add and if its not sanctioned by the originator its illegal.

Its like drawing a mustache on the Mona Lisa...

shudder ..... are you really comparing windows to the Mona Lisa? (its akin to calling windows a work of art .... no matter how much an activator hack really is like a Mustache)

What jee said... I have two points regarding this you need to implant into your brain at your soonest convenience... oh wait no... IMMEDIATELY...

1) It is not your software, You are only renting it !!!!!

2) By putting Aero onto a non Aero version of Windows 7 then you are for all intents and purposes stealing functionality you have not paid for.

PS: StarBound I beg to differ with you. Providing the locked functionality in a 3rd party application is copyright infringement. Which last time I checked is also illegal.

RuadRauFlessa wrote: 1) It is not your software, You are only renting it !!!!!

At 5 grand a copy? Ridiculous.

Why would providing an alternative be illegal? It's like saying Call of Duty is illegal because it plays like Counter Strike.

Windows can't format certain drive sizes for FAT32 but an app called GUIFormat or something like that can. Locked functionality vs 3rd party software. What about VLC, K-lite or WMP all of them play movies but the first 2 supports most formats off the bat (K-lite installs all codecs). Windows ramdrive is limited to the size of a floppy disk while other ram drive apps allows you to use that ram that the 32-bit OS cant use as a pagefile for full RAM access times and no disc swapping.

So with that said I don't see McGlassies Crystal View being illegal when it provides visuals similar to that of Windows Aero. Jimmies all terrain hack that enables all those features from your windows license however is illegal.

meh. well it doesn't apply to me since i have ultimate. I was just about to experiment with rainmeter and thought that it maybe illegal.

StarBound wrote:Why would providing an alternative be illegal? It's like saying Call of Duty is illegal because it plays like Counter Strike.

COD plays nothing like counterstrike and is a completely different application. It does not change or enhance counterstrike in any way as to mimic any functionality which might be locked in specific versions of counterstrike

StarBound wrote:Windows can't format certain drive sizes for FAT32 but an app called GUIFormat or something like that can.

GUIFormat is called a utility program which actually provides functionality which Windows does not. Nothing wrong with it.

StarBound wrote: Locked functionality vs 3rd party software. What about VLC, K-lite or WMP all of them play movies but the first 2 supports most formats off the bat (K-lite installs all codecs).

Well you are now just plain nitpicking. Go and look at the original question and then come back posting. Besides you render your own arguments moot.

StarBound wrote: Windows ramdrive is limited to the size of a floppy disk while other ram drive apps allows you to use that ram that the 32-bit OS cant use as a pagefile for full RAM access times and no disc swapping.

Again it adds extra features which is not present in the original therefore there is no issue with it. If on the other hand you load an app... say.... to give you windows Aero on Windows Home Basic... that is a different ball game all together as you are providing locked features within the OS without the need to purchase the real thing.

StarBound wrote:So with that said I don't see McGlassies Crystal View being illegal when it provides visuals similar to that of Windows Aero. Jimmies all terrain hack that enables all those features from your windows license however is illegal.

That being said... if an application copies the whole look and feel of windows Aero they are opening themselves up for a lawsuit. One I won't want coming down on myself. Bear in mind that the whole desktop theme is copyrighted. So regardless of the use you need permission and I doubt Microsoft will be giving permission for their look and feel to be shimmied by another company to make money from Microsoft's licensing schemes.

The [simple? obvious?] answer to the question posed by Anakha's thread is.....it depends on the operating system and its licensing.

If you do have an uncontrollable urge to tinker with your operating system, pick a Linux distribution.
If you're feeling particularly smart.... L.F.S.

Or am I missing something here?

100% SP... I agree.. Although I won't go L.F.S... Id suggest going Gentoo.... Uber cool if you wanna tinker around.

True. There is Gentoo if L.F.S. appears too extreme or intimidating, though I think I'll stick with Ubuntu for now.

My friend said that he learned a fair amount about computers by installing and configuring a Gentoo system.