I have some dealings with a project who give PCs to the unemloyed etc. They rely on PC donations, but often there are no software licences for the operating system, and no way to prove the pc ever had one so MS won't give them one.

So...

1) Do any of you work for companies who have spare Windows 98 licenses?

2) If not, where can they be obtained legally and very very cheaply? i.e. under £10. It must be a firm, not a dodgy street trader!!

Its a UK based project so firms within UK would be best. They're website is http://www.thewisegroup.co.uk/recycling/index.htm

Thanks

Linux.

And OpenOffice

Yes, I had suggested that, but that and open source software was not taken on board. Mainly because other software may not have 100% compatibility, and it kept training easier at almost any Learning Centre in the area, combined with an easier transition from home and training session.

It really has to be Windows 98.

Beggars being choosers. And choosing an older system, too.

I wasn't aware that win98 could edit Office files. Not without a very expensive Office package. That $600 will buy a lot of training..

-ml

I think just now they are using Open Office, but the decision was made to go for Win 98 over free stuff.

Many of the systems DO have a license, but a huge chunk do not, so i suppose I can see the sense in keeping some common ground.

What you also have to understand is that many of the recipients lack confidence in learning and I.T. This may not mean much, but it does affect people if they have to go from Linux to Win 98, and back again.

How would one go about supplying you with a license?

As far as I know, all Dell machines have had a license sticker mounted directly to the case. This would certainly constitute proof. Personally, I'm of the opinion that it'd be up to M$ or whomever to prove that the machine didn't buy a license at some point. As long as you aren't installing one OS disk on all your refurb machines (which'd be a big no-no). Besides, nobody sues people with no money unless they're complete morons or the RIAA (sorry, repeating myself).

-Zeke

I have sold software to companies for a living for quite a while now. Many corporate license agreements specifically prohibit the transfer of license rights to a 3rd party without the vendor's approval. That's because the company usually buys at a huge discount.

Don't mean to sound negative, but I think this might be difficult to do totally on the up-and-up.

FWIW,
Jim

Don't mean to sound negative, but I think this might be difficult to do totally on the up-and-up

And it would be just like Microsoft to go after license money from someone who is
(a) unemployed
(b) using an ancient version of Windows on older hardware
(c) at least *trying* to do the right thing by having a license of some sort

Still, I'd have trouble recommending Linux for beginners. I just don't think it's there yet in terms of the GUIs and the ease-of-use of the various software packages (even OpenOffice.)

Does Microsoft have any sort of "charity" programs whereby they provide low cost licences to needy groups?

Yeah, but corporate license agreements only apply to the corporation that buys them.
If I have legally bought a second-hand laptop that has WinX installed with a matching license sticker on the bottom then M$ can go fish. Since I didn't buy. license, steal, install or copy the software, there is no law, contract or obligation that I have broken.

They're website

They are website? Sucks to be them.

They are website? Sucks to be them

"English? Pffft... Who needs English? I'm never going to England." Homer Simpson

I guess he's in Scotland, so it's ok

Oh damn... Well then if it's not Scottish, it's CRAAAAAAAAAAAAP!