The real reason for Windows activation

"Thank you for calling Microsoft tech support. May I help you?"
"You replaced your motherboard and need to complete activation? I can help you with that. Please read the code showing on your screen."
"There is something wrong with the code you are reading. Are you running Vista service pack 1?"
"Oh, I'm sorry. We don't provide activation codes for XP any more. I can sell you an upgrade version of Vista for $299."
"How old did you say your computer is?"
"How are you still running a computer that was bought in 2007? That won't begin to meet the minimum hardware requirements for Vista service pack 1. Let me transfer you to one of our preferred retailers and they can set you up with a new system with Vista pre-installed."
"Yes, I realize you can't access your old data to transfer it to the new computer. When you get your new computer take it with your old computer to one of our certified service providers, and they will transfer the data for you. Most of them only charge $50-100/hour for this service."
"You're saying your IT person at work can backup your data and install an up-to-date OS on your existing computer with one CD, all for free and completely legal? But Linux is so hard to use."
"You've been using it at work for how long? And you don't think it's hard to use?"
"But you can't run Internet Explorer on Linux. How will you surf the internet?"
"OK. But how are you going to share documents with everyone else that uses Word and Excel?"
"Wow. I wonder if our IT people here would do that for my computers at home? Oh well, I guess you don't need anything more from us. Thank you for calling Microsoft tech support."
So, the real reason for Windows activation is a scheme to spread Linux on the desktop, while convincing the bosses that it is making more money for Microsoft.