* Charlie Tame:
> MICHAEL wrote:
>> * zachd [MSFT]:
>>> "MICHAEL" <u158627_emr2@dslr.net> wrote in message
>>> news:%23FLa$kAGIHA.700@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>>>
>>> If you want Server, get Server.
>>> If you want N, get N.
>> I don't want either of those.
>>
>> You made it sound as if WMP was an integral part of
>> the "system" and that it could not be separated, therefore
>> an uninstall/reinstall was not feasible.
>>
>>> In both cases you're talking about the baseline system image. In both cases
>>> if you put WMP on the system in either fashion, it's updating that baseline
>>> system image. By your token, what is Media Center? Why doesn't it have a
>>> reinstall? Blah blah blah blah zzzzz I find SKU design a really boring
>>> topic. I am admittedly a software developer, not a designer/manager. =)
>> Sure, a repair install of just Media Center would be nice, too.
>> Why the he!l not?
>>
>> This should be so easy to comprehend and easy to do,
>> if it were allowed. Just like in the Business edition- Games
>> are not installed by default, but you can install them, and
>> uninstall them, too.
>>
>> Whatever- WMP is a dam media player, that's all the he!l it is.
>> A repair install of just that component would sure as fukk be a
>> lot less trouble than reinstalling the operating system or doing
>> a 1-3 hour "repair upgrade". I can't believe you are being this
>> dense... unless you are hiding something.
>>
>>>> That's just BS. Again- Why is a media player considered a "system
>>>> component"?
>>> I apologize: I work alongside the compliance/legal team and I cannot have
>>> this discussion with you. I undertook a conversation about the
>>> reinstallation of Vista subcomponents in good faith, and it has twisted into
>>> a discussion I am extremely unwilling and unable to engage in.
>> I'm not surprised, the truth always seems hard for Microsoft to admit.
>>
>>> I'm done here. Peace. =)
>> Good.... nothing gleaned from this but BS.
>>
>
> Well it is impossible to separate WMP from the OS now because of the DRM
> requirements -
It's not impossible, that's why there's Vista Business N.
It's that way because Microsoft made it that way in Vista, and
yes, that's what I wanted Zach to admit to. I know that and you know that-
he could have just said so. When I brought up DRM, he brushed it aside
and rambled on about reasons that have nothing to do with the truth.
> maybe you can install it on the business edition but if
> you do can you ever uninstall it? Do you by any chance know if that's
> possible?
Actually, WMP already is installed on the Business edition. I brought
up Games as a component you can add, in "Turn on/off Windows Features".
There are many features there you can check to add and then later
uncheck to remove, and they are gone. Which could serve the purpose
of a uninstall/reinstall.
Business N does not come with WMP.
However, at the link below it does state this
"Consumers may also separately install media players, either from Microsoft or a third party."
http://www.microsoft.com/uk/windows/products/windowsvista/editions/business/n/default.mspx
Obviously, there will be or is a separate download of WMP 11 that
will be available for those that buy Business N and wish to install it
at some point. I have no idea if it will be uninstallable.
In Windows Server 2008, if you install "Desktop Experience"
it will install WMP. If at some point you don't want it on
Server 2008, you can remove the "Desktop Experience".
Which could also serve the purpose of a uninstall/reinstall.
My whole point- why did Microsoft make a *media player* impossible
to uninstall/reinstall on Vista? Obviously, it's not necessary to core
system functions or there would be no Vista N. Zach, really made it
sound, at first, as if WMP was an absolute necessary "*system* component"
that should/could not be removed. It is only necessary because of DRM,
and that's fine. But, I really don't understand why it has been made
impossible to do a simple uninstall/reinstall. Or, even if a user could
do a repair install of WMP (install over)- that would probably fix a lot
of problems users run into when WMP becomes corrupted. The only
option now for folks who can't get WMP to work properly in Vista,
is to reinstall the operating system.... that's just dumb.
If Office 2007 or parts of Office- huge programs- goes bonkers on me,
I can uninstall it and reinstall it. Simple. But I can not do the same
for a media player.... a *media player*. Again- that's just dumb.
> Can't exactly blame Zach for not risking his job,
Okay. But, it would be refreshing to just be told the plain truth,
without all the sidestepping and misinformation.
Zach said
"I undertook a conversation about the
reinstallation of Vista subcomponents in good faith"
The conversation was about WMP, that's all I was concerned about.
He tried to explain why reinstallation wasn't such a good idea, but none
of that had anything to do with the *real* reason why Microsoft has
made WMP uninstallable in Vista.... he was blowing smoke.
Once he felt uncomfortable, he brings out the "legal team" card
to halt all discussion. Fine... he should have never got involved
with trying to BS the reason in the first place.
> it's idiots like
> Ballmer than need fired.
That would be great.
-Michael