I was reading an article from APC online regarding the recently leaked Vista and Office 2007 and there was something that I didn’t realize. The article said:
On a more sour note for Microsoft, a full version of Office 2007 Enterprise was released on the boards a few hours after Vista BillGates. Unlike Vista, Office 2007 uses Volume Activation 1.0 (no activation required), so it’s unclear how Microsoft is going to be able to counter its dissemination in future.
Yep, Microsoft decided not to change the volume activation process for Office 2007 so obtaining an illegally activated copy is as easy as downloading the installation files off of the P2P networks and installing Office with the supplied key. The Office 2007 Enterprise edition is currently what is offered on those networks which includes:
- Access 2007
- Excel 2007
- InfoPath 2007
- Outlook 2007
- PowerPoint 2007
- Publisher 2007
- Word 2007
- Groove 2007
- OneNote 2007
Bill Gates has already given a business keynote in Belgium which covered the Windows Vista Launch. You can watch the 9-minute video below but I have to tell you that it doesn’t cover anything too exciting and there is no demonstration:
Wow.
I’m kinda surprised Microsoft hadn’t implemented an anti-piracy system that makes it hard for even legitimate users to activate Office 2007.
By the way, what is Groove?
No demonstration? Not even a Blue Screen of Death?!
Then that video must really not be worth watching
I was going to try and explain it myself but Microsoft’s site says it the best:
“Office Groove 2007 is a collaboration software program that helps teams work together dynamically and effectively, even if team members work for different organizations, work remotely, or work offline. Working in Groove workspaces saves time, increases productivity, and strengthens the quality of team deliverables. Office Groove 2007 is just one example of how the 2007 Microsoft Office system helps teams and organizations collaborate more effectively.”
They’re probably afraid after the last Vista…ummm…shall we say mishap.
If prices were fair, there wouldn’t be as much pirating.
2007 Office RTM hits MSDN Subscriber Downloads!
[blogs.msdn.com]
I definitely agree but I think a lot of people pirate software for more than just the money savings…it is a geeks way of getting a “thrill.” It’s like the people who egg and/or tee-pee houses, they are doing it for the rush of not getting caught.
Hey, Office 2007 doesn’t need activation? Then WHAT IS THIS:
From “2007 Microsoft Office Add-in: Microsoft Save as PDF or XPS” webpage on microsoft.com:
BTW, I have *NO* Office 2007, but I have genuine Office 2003 Small Business instead. I CAN download this plugin, because my Office do pass this “Genuine verification”, no matter, what version it is.
That is separate from activation, instead, that is the Office Genuine Advantage. The no activation means that you can install Office 2007 and use it without ever running into troubles. If you try and download add-ons that require an Office Genuine Advantage check then that is a different story.