>Why is that obvious? Because MS is going ahead and doing it?

Why else would they be fighting piracy like this? Cause it makes them feel warm and tingly? Nope, cause they think it will get them some more money.

>I agree...getting people to pay will increase profit but ONLY IF the losses were a real problem in the first place, and ONLY IF the new processes don't alienate the very real exxisting customers.

Which MS believes, otherwise, they wouldn't be doing this. IMO anyways. Why do you think MS is doing this?

>Really, Mike, I am simply looking for you to say: "I see your point but I think you are high and I disagree..." Do you really think my argument doesn't have a leg to stand on or that my slight paranoia of MS is completely unfounded?

I think customer alienation is a huge threat to MS, yes, good point. I could have told you that, as I've been told that by lots of folks. But they're not alientating me. Maybe I'm just more mellow than everyone else, but