A news(?) flash on Vista.

Microsoft Answers 'Vista OEM' Questions, 01.29.07, PC Mag.com

Microsoft Answers 'Vista OEM' Questions
ARTICLE DATE: 01.29.07
By Mark Hachman, ExtremeTech

"A Microsoft representative confirmed that users may buy OEM copy of Windows Vista at a substantial discount, provided they adhere to the terms of the license – which, incidentally, may mean providing support for family members.

"In addition, users should still be subject to the same familiar re-activation restrictions as users of a retail Vista license and Windows XP, a spokeswoman said. Users can alter the PC's hardware substantially, but they will be forced to reactivate – not repurchase the OEM software – if they do, she said."

There's more at the linked article, but basically what it says is that Microsoft appears ready to accept purchase of OEM versions of Vista by individual users, separate from the computer on which it will be installed. Since the OEM versions run about half the price of the corresponding FRP (Full Retail Package) versions, this could be a significant savings for those prepared to do it.

In effect, the purchaser must be prepared to be his/her own OEM. You must receive the OEM software in its original shrinkwrap package. (The one who breaks the shrinkwrap is the OEM for that copy of the program.) Microsoft will not provide software support, and you'll have no one but yourself to provide what you could expect to get from a machine builder if you bought a new computer with OEM Vista installed.

Minor note: the OEM version doesn't come with a user manual.

Understanding the EULA, as published at Microsoft websites (not yet updated for Vista) would seem to be essential, as you need to know what rules you're "interpreting" to use this loophole. IF THIS ARTICLE IS CORRECT, though, Microsoft is giving at least "tacit acceptance" to individual purchase, through resellers, of the cheaper OEM Vista.

Not for the novice, but we may have experienced users who'll be interested. Also, apparently not something one needs to jump onto immediately, as it appears that this "policy drift" should apply later when there's more feedback about installation problems and solutions.

I'd suggest that anyone who might later be interested should bookmark the article. You'll probably want to re-read it to refresh your understanding when/if the time comes. I've already read it at least four times and I'm still not sure I see all the gimmmicks involved.

John