I can’t say I disagree with this guy. Since the introduction of Windows activation, it has been a pain in the butt. I’ve voiced my opinion many, MANY times that the activation scheme in Windows and Office is flawed. I have suffered times when a legitimate key would not work and have to call the automated line and still have it not work, then explain to the Microsoft employee why I’m not a pirate and am installing a single legitimate copy of Windows on a single machine. God help me if I get a bad hard drive and have to reinstall within a few months…

Yes, there are times when it is much easier to pirate the operating system than it is to actually buy and install it. Most of the time, it doesn’t happen like that. But, it has happened often enough to a lot of people to despise the activation system. If your customer experience is messed up, then their whole experience with your product is negative, even if no other issues arise. If they do, I’m sure that they would seriously consider an alternative (Mac OSX).

I’ve had games that I’ve been so disappointed in their anti-piracy schemes that I’ve skipped over a new great game because of the bad experience. I’ve used no-CD cracks in the past because I don’t want to find a CD in a rack (or misplaced) and not be able to play the game due to the missing CD. I don’t like buying and legally owning my software yet have to be treated like a criminal. I don’t appreciate it at Wal-Mart, and I don’t appreciate it from any software developers. Pirates WILL copy your software regardless of the anti-piracy scheme you use, and they WILL have a much better experience with the software than a legitimate user will have. Guaranteed. Why keep alienating your users and treat them like criminals. We’re not.