Yuletide BC

     And now for some yuletide bull crap from Microsoft.  When reading through an article about how Microsoft has finally scrapped the genuine Office validation system, I read this quote:

The Office Genuine Advantage program was designed to notify many customers around the world whether their copy of Microsoft Office was genuine. The program has served its purpose and thus we have decided to retire the program. Given our strong commitment to anti-piracy, we are making several new investments that will allow us to engage with customers and help victims of fraud. If you believe that your Office software may be counterfeit, please visit Microsoft’s How to Tell website. You may also learn more about Microsoft Office products or purchase or download a genuine copy directly. If you have additional questions or otherwise require support on this issue, please contact us for support options. (ZDNet article)

     Honestly, this almost made me want to puke.  I want to know in what twisted, messed up world Microsoft has every thought that software validation ever protect anything more then their own assets.  No one really cares about whether their software is genuine, as long as it works.
     Now, if software validation could somehow guarantee that software you are about to install isn't malicious and infecting your computer with a virus, I might think that it was worth using.  But honestly, who do they think they are kidding, saying that Windows Genuine Advantage protects you from anything?  All it does is add another annoying step to the process of using your computer.  Grow up Microsoft.