>If my ultra-paranoia kicks in I think they are doing it so they can start asking for more and more registration information so that folks will start to feel comfortable (or compelled) with some of their advanced plans like subscription services and the widespread use of MS Passport.

Product Activation is completely anyoumous and does not require an MS Passport.

>As I state above, they probably do think it will help, but I simply disagree.

You should try and get a job there to save them :-)

>I don't know if you are more mellow, and I certainly don't think you are wrong or naive for not minding what (so far) appears to be a painless button click. *shrug*. I just don't think that MS is going to stop there.

Well, its like censorship, if you allow a little, you might as well bring it all on, right? But like I said, WPA is completely anyomous, I don't see this as the start of somethign bad. If I saw a passport activation, I would be in the same boat as you.