The software is fine, BUT… don’t ever change hard drives; don’t ever have a hard drive go out on you. Don’t use a different ethernet card. Don’t add RAM. Don’t ever replace a motherboard, or buy a new graphics card…. because if you do, you’ll lose your license to use the software, and your only option will be to buy it again.

Think I’m exaggerating? Check it out (direct quote from MS:)

“You receive the [activation] error message if one of the following conditions is true:
(snip)You made significant changes to your computer’s hardware, such as installing a new RAM card, a video card, or other hardware [or] you reformatted the hard disk.”

Read the whole thing here: <http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2390723>

Since at least one of those things happening is virtually inevitable, you’re really paying Microsoft a rental fee, not even a license. Pay for it, and use it as long as you can… but be prepared to lose every dime you paid… even the next day if your machine changes. (Yes: I made the mistake of buying a larger hard drive for $70…which really cost $220, since Office refuses to run now.)

That’s it. I’m done with Micro$oft. If they want to treat me like a thief, I’ll deal with companies that treat me like a customer, instead.