Sometimes I come across some information that makes me to want to explode if I don't tell everyone I know about it. It doesn't have to be a secret; all it has to be is something that isn't well known yet.
While I'm no Windows proponent in any shape of the word, I consider it my duty to tell you how to get Microsoft Windows Vista for less than full retail price. That is, if you don't already have Vista installed.
The Scoop
You can buy the Microsoft Windows Vista "upgrade edition" (with Service Pack 1 even) and install it on any PC as the more expensive "full edition", without paying the full price.
It's crazy, but I wouldn't lie about a thing like this. You can always check my source.
The Source
The latest Windows Secret newsletter includes an article by the editorial director, Brian Livingston, which gives us the dirty low down in "Article on Vista upgrade trick rattles the cages".
It all started with his article in 2007, "Get Vista upgrade, never pay full price", which explained a procedure which is supported by several built-in dialog boxes, indicating it was deliberately included by the developers.
A second article written by Scott Dunn about a week ago, "It's official: upgrade hack included in Vista SP1", shed some more light on the subject.
The Reverse Bait-and-Switch
As Brian explains in his latest article, Microsoft sells Windows Vista for an incredibly high price knowing full well that consumers who are tech-savvy will use the workaround and save a substantial amount, on any edition.
It's like going to a new car dealer and he shows you something expensive, which makes you wince. Then he shows you something a lot cheaper and you decide to buy it. The cheaper model is always easier to sell when it's done like that. Imagine if the dealer had used cars as well. Why would he show you the used cars first, being the cheapest of the lot, when he could get much more out of new car even if it isn't the top of the line?
It's a stupid analogy, but I've seen it in practice. I believe Microsoft is doing the same thing without admitting to it.
Never Mind, I Don't Do Windows
Regardless of their marketing tactics, I will never buy another version of Windows. Vista is too damned expensive for the average consumer. Here in the Philippines, unless we want to buy an expensive computer system, we have to buy the operating system separately.
Here's my war cry: Give me Linux or give me death! Well, not that extreme, but you get the point.
