• After 15+ years, we've made a big change: Android Forums is now Early Bird Club. Learn more here.

Curious Microsoft Restrictions

Bob Maxey

Bob Maxey

Android Expert
I am looking for a version of MS Office I can work with and in looking at the Best Buy Web Site, I stumbled across this item after an asterisk by the Home and Student version of Office:

"Not for use in any commercial, non-profit, or revenue generating activities or by any government organization."

There was an asterisk in the table that compares various versions of Office 2010 and these restrictions (apparently) apply to the "Home and Student" version of Office 2010.

Anyone know anything about these (silly) restrictions? I choose to ignore them by the way. Mr. Goggle is not much help.

As far as I can tell, MS Word is available as a stand alone product, but it is 150.00 bucks.

So gathered gang of mine, can anyone tell me why Microsoft has such an apparently silly restriction of the use of Home and Student versions?

Bob Maxey
 
Probably because it's for home and stufent use, and they have a different version with licenses and all that stuff for business use. As for the government part, they probably need to do contracts and security stuff for software they use, can't just use off-the-shelf software.
 
It is priced cheaper for students and families to be able to install it on up to three computers. If you are using it in a money making environment then they have different versions available that obviously cost more and have Outlook and some extra programs available. As for government and larger companies there are enterprise licenses that cover the whole organization.
 
Gnomad said:
It is priced cheaper for students and families to be able to install it on up to three computers. If you are using it in a money making environment then they have different versions available that obviously cost more and have Outlook and some extra programs available. As for government and larger companies there are enterprise licenses that cover the whole organization.
Click to expand...

I understand the needs of large corporations, licenses that allow for multiple installs, and the government's needs and restrictions on the software they use. I do not need to install Word on several computers, just one, my new laptop. Word would be the only component I'll install.

My issue is with the idea that a freelance writer cannot use their basic edition of Office to ply his trade. Apparently, a home owner can't use that specific edition of Office to print Garage Sale Flyers, either.

I suppose that MS can demand just about anything they want and I suppose one must agree when they click the "I Agree" button during install. If you do not like it, DL Open Office (I am using it today, it seems ok.)

But if you bought a laptop with Office installed (because it was a hundred bucks cheaper than a comparable model without Office installed,) and if the software was the version for students and home use only, what do you do if you discover that you really cannot use the software to make a buck?

I mean, nothing is mentioned on the box the computer came in that there are potential restrictions that make using MS Software "Illegal" and against the rules imposed by Microsoft.

I guess I am a tad surprized at the restrictions imposed on how one can use the various flavors of MS software more than pisssed off. The last version of Office I bought was Office 97 and there were no such restrictions. I guess I am behind the times.

I would go with Word only, but it seems to be more costly than the basic Office package for Home and Student use. Especially if bought on a CD.

I remember a Microsoft EULA applied to their Clip Art. It stated that you could not use the clip art to create anything Microsoft would find objectionable. Seems rather odd because it implies that one needs to clear any commercial project incorporating their Clip Art.

Bob Maxey
 
Bob Maxey said:
My issue is with the idea that a freelance writer cannot use their basic edition of Office to ply his trade. Apparently, a home owner can't use that specific edition of Office to print Garage Sale Flyers, either.

I suppose that MS can demand just about anything they want and I suppose one must agree when they click the "I Agree" button during install. If you do not like it, DL Open Office (I am using it today, it seems ok.)

But if you bought a laptop with Office installed (because it was a hundred bucks cheaper than a comparable model without Office installed,) and if the software was the version for students and home use only, what do you do if you discover that you really cannot use the software to make a buck?

I mean, nothing is mentioned on the box the computer came in that there are potential restrictions that make using MS Software "Illegal" and against the rules imposed by Microsoft.

I guess I am a tad surprized at the restrictions imposed on how one can use the various flavors of MS software more than pisssed off. The last version of Office I bought was Office 97 and there were no such restrictions. I guess I am behind the times.
Click to expand...

A freelancer can use the home edition. It allows you to install on 3 computers. A company can't buy it for their employees but from what I understand, an employee can buy it themselves and use it for their own use.

BTW, I think the whole fragmentation of Microsoft software is stupid. For example, Windows 7 Starter is the biggest pile of crap there is. You can't change the wallpaper, you can only run 3 apps at any given time (nullifying multi-tasking) and it doesn't come with a media/mp3 player. What sort of operating system is that in 2011?
 
mrspeedmaster said:
A freelancer can use the home edition. It allows you to install on 3 computers. A company can't buy it for their employees but from what I understand, an employee can buy it themselves and use it for their own use.

BTW, I think the whole fragmentation of Microsoft software is stupid. For example, Windows 7 Starter is the biggest pile of crap there is. You can't change the wallpaper, you can only run 3 apps at any given time (nullifying multi-tasking) and it doesn't come with a media/mp3 player. What sort of operating system is that in 2011?
Click to expand...

The issue is this: I read what you say, but what you say is in direct conflict with what the EULA says. So given what MS has to say in their agreements and someone's guesses, I'll take MS every time. Please, take no offense, but you are just another voice on the web saying something different.

Freelance writing is definitely a profit oriented endeavor and according to MS, it is not allowed.

Again, please take no offense because I mean none.

My new computer came with Windows 7 Home Premium. I did not care enough to look at how restrictive the Win 7 Starter Edition is so I suppose I got lucky and just happened to buy a laptop with the "upgraded" version of Windows.

Wow, only three programs at one time and no ability to change wallpaper. Are you kidding? Bob is flabbergasted and perhaps it is best to simply reinstall Win98, ME, or perhaps Windows For Workgroups and hope that I have my early version of Word (for DOS) in the junk room.

It also came loaded with a bunch of crap I have little to no clue about. I was peeved to learn that despite what the sales wonk said, the built-in "LabelFlash CD label slash burner is not compatible with Lite(Light?)Scribe due to physical differences in the various dye layers. so I will look for a stand alone labeling solution.

All I run on the machine is Word or some other WP program, so it really does not matter I suppose.

Bob Maxey
 
Bob Maxey said:
I am evaluating OO as we speak. Not sure I'll stick with it, however.
Click to expand...

I've found OO to be good at creating documents, spreadsheets and presentations. However I found it's not completely 100% compatible with the proprietary MS Word .DOC format, particularly if there is anything fancy going on.
 
mikedt said:
I've found OO to be good at creating documents, spreadsheets and presentations. However I found it's not completely 100% compatible with the proprietary MS Word .DOC format, particularly if there is anything fancy going on.
Click to expand...

As long as it creates a basic format (acceptable headings, for example) as well as save files as text files, I am fine with it.

Bob Maxey
 
mrspeedmaster said:
A freelancer can use the home edition. It allows you to install on 3 computers. A company can't buy it for their employees but from what I understand, an employee can buy it themselves and use it for their own use.

BTW, I think the whole fragmentation of Microsoft software is stupid. For example, Windows 7 Starter is the biggest pile of crap there is. You can't change the wallpaper, you can only run 3 apps at any given time (nullifying multi-tasking) and it doesn't come with a media/mp3 player. What sort of operating system is that in 2011?
Click to expand...

The kind you get with a pre built dell or hp.

that your only going to install a pirated copy of full windows 7 over anyway.

not encouraging piracy just saying. :rolleyes:
 
mikedt said:
Windows 7 Starter only comes with their absolute cheapest PCs and netbooks. Most of the range comes with Home Premium.
Click to expand...

Exactly, Windows 7 Starter was meant for netboooks. Since netbooks are usually underpowerd and cheap this allows the licensing to keep the cost down and to help with performance on such weak components.
 
I would usually never pirate software but MS is an exception due to their exorbitant prices
i went to all the trouvble to get Ultimate for the encryption to find out that the encryption is awful
Ubuntu and XP can open my encrypted folders
sigh
Too lazy to go back to Home Premium

@Bob, if all you are doing is basic word editing, OO is the way to go
You can also use the free ad-supported Office 2010, and perhaps hide the ads somehow
 
Papadroid said:
Exactly, Windows 7 Starter was meant for netboooks. Since netbooks are usually underpowerd and cheap this allows the licensing to keep the cost down and to help with performance on such weak components.
Click to expand...

Window 7 starter should never exist period. There is no excuse for it. Windows XP Premium/Pro and Linux run just fine on netbooks with low footprint requirements. Starter was created by M$oft so they could stop the encroachment of Linux in the netbook space. There is no other reason for its existence. The fact they have to dumb it down in terms of capabilities shows how crappy the OS is. The same netbook running Ubuntu/Linux Mint wipes the floor over Windows 7.
 
I don't know what is so strange about these restrictions. It makes perfect sense. Many companies offer "personal use" items that are cheaper than items used to turn profit. If they didn't do this, they would find many personal users unwilling to pay the full hefty price tag. That is exactly the case here. If Microsoft didn't offer a Home & Student version than we would all have to pay as if we planned to use this software for business use. Additionally, if they didnt restrict the use on the Home & Student version, what would stop business users from just buying the cheaper version.

Regardless, if it really does bother you that bad, just switch to OpenOffice.
 
mrspeedmaster said:
Window 7 starter should never exist period. There is no excuse for it. Windows XP Premium/Pro and Linux run just fine on netbooks with low footprint requirements. Starter was created by M$oft so they could stop the encroachment of Linux in the netbook space. There is no other reason for its existence. The fact they have to dumb it down in terms of capabilities shows how crappy the OS is. The same netbook running Ubuntu/Linux Mint wipes the floor over Windows 7.
Click to expand...

You'll get no argument from me on any of that. I was just explaining what Windows 7 starter was designed for, not saying I agree with M$ on their decisions.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom