4 ms·

I don't see what the fuzz is about for now. a. One Copy per Device. You may install one copy of the software on one device. That device is the "licensed device

by mxfh 14y ago

I don't see what the fuzz is about for now. a. One Copy per Device. You may install one copy of the software on one device. That device is the "licensed device." b. Licensed Device. You may only use one copy of the software on the licensed device at a time. c. Portable Device. You may install another copy of the software on a portable device for use by the single primary user of the licensed device. from http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/does-your-copy-of-office-2013-die-with-your-computer-20130208-2e3a1.html#ixzz2Kyfkv9DP http://www.theage.com.au/technology/technology-news/does-you... The original australian article states two non-definitive answers: A: "A perpetual license of Office 2013 can only be installed on one personal computer. This means that the customer can only install it on one device, either a desktop or laptop, but not both. If the customer has a system crash, they are allowed to reinstall Office on that same computer. If there are problems with this process, customers can contact Microsoft technical support" B: "No, the customer cannot transfer the license from one PC to another PC." I would bet on A and and a confused PR department. Of cause if you wan't to report some kind of "news" you would root for B rather than investigate further.

chmars 14y ago
'Can I transfer the software to another computer or user? You may not transfer the software to another computer or user. You may transfer the software directly to a third party only as installed on the licensed computer, with the Certificate of Authenticity label and this agreement. Before the transfer, that party must agree that this agreement applies to the transfer and use of the software. You may not retain any copies.' From the Microsoft Software License Agreement for Microsoft Office 2013: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/products/microsoft-software-license-agreement-FX103576343.aspx http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/products/microsoft-softwar...
meaty 14y ago
Can I just add: 1. Microsoft office technical support is a whopping great big dinosaur sized turdzilla. If you have any activation problems, you usually get "tough shitted". I've been on the end of this. Fortunately I'm a member of a" Gold Partner" (paid goon) and could kick the crap out of them from that side of things. Partner reps have a little more spine than office support people. 2. This does not cover warranty replacement PCs so if you have a hardware failure, it doesn't count.
gnu8 14y ago
Just tell them it is the same computer, just with an upgraded CPU, RAM, mobo, case, screws, cables, ... Or install office in a VM you can shuffle around at will forever. Perhaps even a Thinapp. You could even keep your virtualized office on Dropbox and use it on all ten of your personal computers (but not concurrently of course).
- eli 14y ago
  I never really understood this line of thinking. Rather than trying to "hack" the license terms, you should just buy a new license when you buy a new computer, since that's what you agreed to. If you're willing to violate the license, why not just pirate the thing in the first place?
  - kamjam 14y ago
    It's things like this that drive those pirating numbers up! VM's and the like may be fine for us tech/power users, but for most normal users who just pop the DVD in and install, then to be greeted with a "sorry, buy another copy" this is going to be very annoying!
    - rayiner 14y ago
      Lots of products/services are annoying. I usually address the problem by simply not using them.
      - kamjam 14y ago
        I agree, but some things you just cannot get away with NOT using. Too many people are used to using MS Office. As good (or bad) as the open source alternatives are, too many of my friends/relatives are used to the interface. It's a huge re-training exercise to get them to use something else unfortunately. I still use Office 2007, because there is nothing in 2010 and doubt 2013 that I will use outside of a business environment.
        14y ago
jseliger 14y ago
> I don't see what the fuzz is about for now. People are pissed because many of us have two devices. In addition, it's almost impossible for many of us (like me) to avoid Office. Finally, this is the sort of thing many people were concerned about in the '90s, when Microsoft achieved hegemony in office suites, and in the 2000s, when Product Activation became ubiquitous.
- mxfh 14y ago
  I get your point, just how is this news? Office 2010 OEM license states exactly the same limitations in regards to parallel use on multiple machines.
  - jseliger 14y ago
    Office 2010 OEM license states exactly the same limitations I don't know, but I do know that Office 2011 for OS X allows installs on at least two machines. Because I've done it.
    - pyre 14y ago
      OEM license != software The fact that you've successfully installed Office 2011 for OS X on at least two machines only means that the installer doesn't actively prevent this. It does not mean that the license agreement for the software says that this is ok.
  - eli 14y ago
    And, notably, it's also a lot cheaper than the retail version which allows multiple installs.
  - MatthewPhillips 14y ago
    Because Google Docs is better than it was in 2010, has more market share than it had in 2010, and is free for individuals. It's fascinating to watch a market leader gradually being chipped away because it is unable/unwilling to cannibalize itself.
  - timbre 14y ago

by mxfh 14y ago

chmars 14y ago

'Can I transfer the software to another computer or user? You may not transfer the software to another computer or user. You may transfer the software directly to a third party only as installed on the licensed computer, with the Certificate of Authenticity label and this agreement. Before the transfer, that party must agree that this agreement applies to the transfer and use of the software. You may not retain any copies.' From the Microsoft Software License Agreement for Microsoft Office 2013: http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/products/microsoft-software-license-agreement-FX103576343.aspx http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/products/microsoft-softwar...

meaty 14y ago

Can I just add: 1. Microsoft office technical support is a whopping great big dinosaur sized turdzilla. If you have any activation problems, you usually get "tough shitted". I've been on the end of this. Fortunately I'm a member of a" Gold Partner" (paid goon) and could kick the crap out of them from that side of things. Partner reps have a little more spine than office support people. 2. This does not cover warranty replacement PCs so if you have a hardware failure, it doesn't count.

gnu8 14y ago

Just tell them it is the same computer, just with an upgraded CPU, RAM, mobo, case, screws, cables, ... Or install office in a VM you can shuffle around at will forever. Perhaps even a Thinapp. You could even keep your virtualized office on Dropbox and use it on all ten of your personal computers (but not concurrently of course).

eli 14y ago
I never really understood this line of thinking. Rather than trying to "hack" the license terms, you should just buy a new license when you buy a new computer, since that's what you agreed to. If you're willing to violate the license, why not just pirate the thing in the first place?
- kamjam 14y ago
  It's things like this that drive those pirating numbers up! VM's and the like may be fine for us tech/power users, but for most normal users who just pop the DVD in and install, then to be greeted with a "sorry, buy another copy" this is going to be very annoying!
  - rayiner 14y ago
    Lots of products/services are annoying. I usually address the problem by simply not using them.
    - kamjam 14y ago
      I agree, but some things you just cannot get away with NOT using. Too many people are used to using MS Office. As good (or bad) as the open source alternatives are, too many of my friends/relatives are used to the interface. It's a huge re-training exercise to get them to use something else unfortunately. I still use Office 2007, because there is nothing in 2010 and doubt 2013 that I will use outside of a business environment.
      - 14y ago

jseliger 14y ago

> I don't see what the fuzz is about for now. People are pissed because many of us have two devices. In addition, it's almost impossible for many of us (like me) to avoid Office. Finally, this is the sort of thing many people were concerned about in the '90s, when Microsoft achieved hegemony in office suites, and in the 2000s, when Product Activation became ubiquitous.

mxfh 14y ago
I get your point, just how is this news? Office 2010 OEM license states exactly the same limitations in regards to parallel use on multiple machines.
- jseliger 14y ago
  Office 2010 OEM license states exactly the same limitations I don't know, but I do know that Office 2011 for OS X allows installs on at least two machines. Because I've done it.
  - pyre 14y ago
    OEM license != software The fact that you've successfully installed Office 2011 for OS X on at least two machines only means that the installer doesn't actively prevent this. It does not mean that the license agreement for the software says that this is ok.
- eli 14y ago
  And, notably, it's also a lot cheaper than the retail version which allows multiple installs.
- MatthewPhillips 14y ago
  Because Google Docs is better than it was in 2010, has more market share than it had in 2010, and is free for individuals. It's fascinating to watch a market leader gradually being chipped away because it is unable/unwilling to cannibalize itself.
- timbre 14y ago