Genuine Microsoft Office is a Must!

Techtree News Staff, Oct 30, 2006 1632 hrs IST

The Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) program for Microsoft Office, titled "Office Genuine Advantage" has reportedly now become mandatory.

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According to reports, Microsoft's Windows Genuine Advantage (WGA) program for Microsoft Office, titled the 'Office Genuine Advantage' (OGA) program that has been in beta-testing for several months, has now become mandatory.

The company says that the OGA program will now be "switched on for all" with no choice to "opt out" of the validation process, the way it was all through the beta testing phase.

As of October 27 last week, anyone using a pirated version of Office will no longer be able to download Office templates or other Office downloads, while those using Office Online templates will now require validation.

And from January 2007, pirated Office users will no longer be able to check for and download Office updates. The ability to download updates will require verification, beginning January.

Microsoft says it will continue to provide a complimentary copy of Microsoft Office to help qualifying customers, who have unknowingly acquired counterfeit versions of Microsoft Office 2003. But even for this, users will be required to fill out a counterfeit report, provide proof of purchase, and send in their counterfeit CDs to verify their entitlement to a free replacement copy of Office.

Those customers who have unknowingly acquired a counterfeit version of Office, but cannot provide the necessary details will be required to cough-up a license fee. And, this fee will be to the tune of $359 (Rs 16,155) for the Office Genuine Advantage kit for Microsoft Office Professional Edition 2003; $269 (Rs 12,105) for the Microsoft Office Small Business Edition 2003; and $139 (Rs 6,255) for the Microsoft Office Student and Teacher Edition 2003. The offer starts next month.

Meanwhile, Microsoft is now in a position to check whether one's copy is genuine or not, thanks to the proliferation of the Internet and Broadband.

USER COMMENTS

The WGA program is good and the idea of updating this tool(black screen appears on using pirated OS) is good. I think it is because of the high price of genuine OS makes tough for poor country people to afford. By reducing its price will be help for you and us, however, its only an opinion.

by Srinjoy Mallik, Kolkata, India, on Sep 30, 2008 08:32 PM, Report abuse Reply

This is important book for teaching purpose, then download this book sir

by anil, Andhra Pradesh, on Jun 07, 2007 01:57 PM, Report abuse Reply

I am using genunine copy of MS 2003 and would like to upgrade to MS 2007

by A.M.Dayal, Hyderabad, on Apr 11, 2007 11:11 AM, Report abuse Reply

I am using Open Office for sometime and it is really excellent and I do not see any required missing features in it when compared to microsoft. Infact in some areas Open office has more features than the paid product ms word. Though I have legal copy of ms word I do not see any reasons to be with it by paying unreasonable price when a open source package like excellent Open Office is readily available. It is time for microsoft to come back from its fantasy world.

by simmam, Trichy, on Nov 02, 2006 08:27 AM, Report abuse Reply

I Realy use this softwear many time it such a good.

by vikas, delhi, on Nov 11, 2006 02:23 PM, Report abuse

Is this validation process and license fee a must for home users too. Is it compulsory to use a genuine MS office for home? If thats so, then what about millions of Indian home users who go for an assembled system, have to give up office. Guys give a solution.

by Ram, Hyderabad, on Nov 03, 2006 12:17 PM, Report abuse Reply

Install Open office Organisation 2.0 (the latest version) which is freely available with the computer magazines of India. It matches MS office in every aspects and the upgradation to any new versions in future is also free. It can be installed in Windows OS also. Install it and reap the benefits.

by Sethu, Kulithalai, on Nov 06, 2006 04:08 AM, Report abuse

Hmm... Thats Interesting...... wanna update many more..........

by R.Praveen kumar, Coimbatore, on Oct 31, 2006 10:22 PM, Report abuse Reply

Wordperfect

by EPI, Wordperfect, on Oct 31, 2006 08:03 AM, Report abuse Reply

Yup! this is a good idea.

by Arjun, Bangalore, on Oct 31, 2006 06:51 AM, Report abuse Reply

Okay look guys, you don't buy software you lease it. This is one of the terms of the lease. If you want to use Open Office be my guest. At our company we have evaluated it three time over the last few years and had too many problems.

by Alex March, Seattle, on Oct 31, 2006 04:05 AM, Report abuse Reply

Fantastic, Outstanding, About Time!!!!!

by bel, North Kingstown, on Oct 31, 2006 12:36 AM, Report abuse Reply

ABOUT TIME?????? Apparently another person who has no regard for their freedom or privacy. When will you all learn???

by T.I.G., Linuxville, on Oct 31, 2006 01:00 AM, Report abuse

Time to push (harder) OpenOffice onto the 'average' consumer/business. Really, who needs it? Firefox, Picasa, Skype... let them eat cake!

by Robert A. Lupo, Bronx, New York, on Oct 30, 2006 10:00 PM, Report abuse Reply

Open Office- open office quick to rid our selves from Microsoft Slavery.

by vijayshimla, Shimla 171001, on Oct 30, 2006 06:30 PM, Report abuse Reply

Open Office- The Key to a better office.

by Rwap, hickory, on Oct 30, 2006 09:57 PM, Report abuse

We'd have to be nuts to use Windows Genuine Advantage if the recipient of our files might not be able to access them because they have a program Microsoft now decides to shun from the playground. So everyone needs to stick with the Office 2003 (or Office 2000, like I use) in order to be sure we have a universal program.

by Mervin, Fishersville, on Oct 30, 2006 09:49 PM, Report abuse Reply

And what if Microsoft gets it wrong? I have a copy of MS Office purchased from a local store (legal license, deployment), which was corrupted by the Genuine Advantage update. I am also a computer consultant. Now I and my clients use Open Office.

by JM Cowden, Oklahoma, on Oct 30, 2006 09:14 PM, Report abuse Reply

or you people just don't have to upgrade. each version of office doesn't give you that many features to justify an upgrade. as for linux...until it becomes as easy as a mac to use people will never switch. period.

by Morder, Hell, on Oct 30, 2006 09:01 PM, Report abuse Reply

That is the final straw. Microsoft will never invade my computer again. I have run legal versions since day one, but I will idley stand by and have more software installed on my computer that informs Microsoft of all the software and hardware I run on my computer. I have run linux part time for years, but now it will be full time. GOODBYE Microsoft. May your proprietary manditory spying crap be your own demise

by T.I.G., Linuxville, on Oct 30, 2006 08:57 PM, Report abuse Reply

OpenOffice.org It's time.

by John B. Dougher, Morro Bay, on Oct 30, 2006 08:33 PM, Report abuse Reply

Open Office is an alternate solution instead of using(purchasing) Microsoft Product.

by Arun Kumar.M.D, Chennai, on Oct 30, 2006 06:47 PM, Report abuse Reply