I’m not sure if I feel sorry for Microsoft. According to reports online piracy accounts for 25% of software sales globally, and Microsoft must be one of the biggest losers. Microsoft tries to combat this through the use of its Windows Genuine Advantage Tool, which verifies if the software you are using is genuine or counterfeit.

Microsoft have to constantly update this tool, as hacks are always available within hours via torrents and Usenet. I guess each update, like last nights, does eliminate novice users who don’t know how to do this. I guess Microsoft will build better protection into Vista, making it harder to crack, in a similar manner to how they have appeared to have made the Xbox360 very hard to hack, unlike its predecessor.

I’m not advocating software piracy, but sometimes I feel Microsoft have only got themselves to blame when you read reports that Windows Vista Ultimate will cost $450 - the same as a budget PC. I understand that the operating system is the hub of a PC, but $450?

I have to admit that I’m in a bit of a dilemma about whether or not I will be upgrading to Vista. Going from Windows 98/ME to XP was a no-brainer as 98/ME were buggy as hell and XP offered stability. The problem for me now is that XP is actually quite good and stable, and there isn’t a pressing need for me to upgrade.

The only reason I can see for me to upgrade is for new features, but after playing with Vista Beta 2 for a few days now, other than Vista looking sexier than XP, I can’t see any features that I need. Definitely none that are worth $450.

When I use my PCs I spend most of my time using the internet (via Firefox not IE6 or IE7), Office, iTunes and various other multimedia apps. All of these work currently with XP, so there is no need for me to upgrade Vista.

At the moment I think the only reason I’ll be upgrading is if I get given a free copy via work.

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