Pet Project

I recently installed my laptop with Ubuntu – which is a version or “flavor” of Linux. It is a very user-friendly package with auto installers and several other automated tasks built right in. Really, other than the back-end and new layout – it is rather similar to Windows – only it’s free.

I really want to have the ability to run Photoshop on the laptop still, and in order to do that I need to run a Windows Emulator, or run Windows as a Virtual Machine. I installed Wine, which is a Windows emulator of sorts – but was unable to successfully install Photoshop. I gave it one really good try before deciding to try the Virtual Machine. I’m just an impatient mamma jamma.

So I got the VM running and loaded, which really was easier than I assumed – and other than not having the mini-version of Windows connected to my network – its killer. This doesn’t solve my problems though. Thanks to the way it’s set up and my all-of-fifteen minutes looking for documentation on the subject – I can’t trade files between the two systems.

Not only that – but I had to activate my copy of Windows again. I installed this on my Dell laptop, which came with the OEM disk for reinstalling my crap – but since I am not connected to the Internet on the VM I had to do it all by hand and by phone. What irks me about Microsoft is that I live no more than 30 miles away from MS Head Quarters and I just want to get this over with by talking to a human. But I can hear the series of beeps and silence that tells me I am going to be talking to the Middle East.

First I talk to the robot on the phone that asks me to slowly read off my 54-digit instillation ID. To this info, they should then give me a 30+ authorization ID that will tell my laptop not to go all funkadelic on me. After that doesn’t work, they forward me on to a human, who obviously has no clue as to what I am going through. And the MS rep I discussed this with was totally Indian – I heard the Slurpee Machine spinning in the background and everything.

MS : Thank you for calling Microsoft, please read me the first group of 6 numbers in your ID so I can get your confirmation number.
Me : Sure! It is 392679.
MS : Just one moment and I will obtain your confirmation ID, this will take two seconds.
Me: Great! Thanks!
MS : How many computers are running Windows? Do you have this running on more than one computer?
Me : Well I just reinstalled the Operating System, and it was only installed on one machine.
MS : I see. Please read me your first group of 6 numbers.
Me : Ok – it’s 392679.
MS : Thank you, this will only take a moment.

*Waiting – I hear the Big Bite machine kick on.*

MS: Is this the first time you are activating this product?
Me : Well I activated it before, but I just reinstalled it.
MS : Please read me your first group of 6 numbers.
Me : Oooookay…? 3…9…2…6…7…9.
MS : One moment please.

*I think I hear someone buying a pack of cigarettes and Citgo gasoline.
After a few moments I hear myself be put on hold – music and all.*

MS : Please read me your first group of 6 numbers.
Me : What? They have not changed – are you trying to transfer me? 3-9-2-6-7-9.
MS : Thank you… Is this software running on another computer?
Me : Sigh… No.
MS: Please read me your first group of 6 numbers.
Me : Are you serious?
MS : Please read me your first group of 6 numbers, please.
Me : 3-9-2-6-7-9… sigh.
MS : One moment please while I get your confirmation.
Me : …
MS : I need you to read me the rest of your Installation ID.
Me : Would you like my first batch of 6 again?
MS : Yes.
Me : 392679… blah blah blah…
MS : do you see a button at the bottom of your screen that reads “Get New Installation ID?”
Me : Yes.
MS : Press that button and re-enter your Product Key.
Me : Jeopardy music begins… “Okay, done”
MS : Read me the new Installation ID.
Me : 100506… blah blah blah.
MS : Your new confirmation ID is as follows: blah blah blah yak yak yak.
Me : Software activates and I disconnect the call.

Are you kidding me!?

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