Another attemped power grab by Microsoft

[zirrow]

... Consider also the social consequences of forcing Microsoft license fees into the budgets of the schools, libraries, and non-profit public benefactors who presently depend on free software..

non-profit organizations pay a drastically reduced licencing fee for their software. For instance, a community action group in my area pays $6 for a Windows 7 Professional license ($140 for a regular Joe, and that's an OEM license). The same holds true for various schools and churches.


"This could be a feature deserving of the name, as long as the user is able to authorize the programs she wants to use, so she can run free software written and modified by herself or people she trusts. However, we are concerned that Microsoft and hardware manufacturers will implement these boot restrictions in a way that will prevent users from booting anything other than Windows."

This sounds like a bit of paranoia peeking through.


This happens all the time. People complain that they can't click on every ad claiming it will make them a millionaire, without doing anything more than clicking their left mouse button, without winding up with some sort of malware; obviously, the problem is that Microsoft releases insecure software . Microsoft responded with UAC in Windows Vista and people complained that it was too intrusive, so they just click "yes" no matter what software is trying to run. By all means, don't use a computer or don't use Microsoft products. The problem is that every PC user on the planet has different needs and expects their software to provide them with all that is necessary right there on the spot. Even CDNSushi, while "playing with alternatives for years," admits to using their evil products, because though it has faults, it is the only product out there that can provide a [non-necessary] service he feels the need to entertain himself with.

My television doesn't always play the programs that I'd like to see, but I don't throw a fit about Sony or DirectTV over the matter. It's a product, you are perfectly free to not use it, find an alternative, or build something better. By all means, Linux please stop being so humble and go ahead and lift this oppression from society.

[CDNSushi]

Even CDNSushi, while "playing with alternatives for years," admits to using their evil products, because though it has faults, it is the only product out there that can provide a [non-necessary] service

Spot-on comment. I mean... Yeah, I COULD choose to boycott MS but in the end, it would be the same as any other product boycott I've ever seen in the world (and the main reason why I just don't believe in them) is because it won't cause anything to change, and ultimately it's not the company that gets inconvenienced the most... It's ME. and I would just prefer to bite the bullet and NOT be the author of my own self-imposed misery.

[zirrow]

Spot-on comment. I mean... Yeah, I COULD choose to boycott MS but in the end, it would be the same as any other product boycott I've ever seen in the world (and the main reason why I just don't believe in them) is because it won't cause anything to change, and ultimately it's not the company that gets inconvenienced the most... It's ME. and I would just prefer to bite the bullet and NOT be the author of my own self-imposed misery.

Exactly! There is a need out there that Microsoft has created a solution to, but so often there are people that are more than willing to jump on the blame large corporations that make lots of money bandwagon.

[NorCalPiper]

Don't be fooled. I worked for apple for 12 years, so I speak from extreme knowledge on this. Apple is probably the WORST at software restriction on all their devices. Even hardware. Ever heard of "Jailbreaking" related to any other products other than Apple?

Face it-The ignorant bliss of the power of the personal computer is over and ALL companies are honing their control reins to direct the masses.....Just how it is.

[Joshua]

Don't be fooled. I worked for apple for 12 years, so I speak from extreme knowledge on this. Apple is probably the WORST at software restriction on all their devices. Even hardware. Ever heard of "Jailbreaking" related to any other products other than Apple?

You mean like the hacked firmware that I was loading on my blackberry and winmo phones in 2007, or my currently rooted android phone, or my psp that has been hacked to run the MAME arcade emulator? My dreamcast from 2000 that ran a Linux Web server? Jail breaking is nothing new, just a new name for it.

Reverse engineering to add functionality and just for the cool factor will always exist. It's fun to use things for purposes other than intended, more so if you are told you can't.

To the op - I am a gpl guy. But, in addition to the 4-5 Linux boxes and appliances in my home I also have some closed machines. Professionally, I manage client security (encryption, antivirus, local firewall, data forensics) for some 5300 windows machines. Frankly, I welcome additional security from Microsoft (especially their boot routine, as win7 is still quite vulnerable to local SAM attacks, something that has been around since NT 4).

[Joshua]

Sorry about a second post, but I find the idea of MS or Apple closing their models to stifle competition a bit "tin foil hat".

In fact the issue in the OP isn't about an initiative with Microsoft, but an issue with UEFI, a standard that all modern PC's and Macs have had for years... And UEFI isn't a Microsoft standard...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unified...ware_Interface

Apple has had a very closed model since Jobs returned, and his intent was clear... To have full control of the user experience (and Macs are some of the most reliable computers that this old engineer has ever used for this reason) . This is why I tell people that my MacBook and iPad are my "appliances", they work when I need them to... That was Job's vision and I think his legacy proves that.

MS is now working on the failings of its past, against piracy, and improving security. When windows activation was announced prior to windows XP, everyone minced and much FUD followed... So, 10 years later, has anyone been "oppressed" besides software pirates who could no longer generate their own product keys? (btw, fun old trick with window 95, you could make your own product key by making each octet of the serial number a modulus of seven... Same rule for office 97... Heh).

[Chirs]

it is the only product out there that can provide a [non-necessary] service he feels the need to entertain himself with.

Oh, I do wish it were a non-necessary service. That would be awesome from my perspective.

I've heard so many times "You don't have to use them, you know" and the answer is "Do you really imagine that anyone could fully participate in this culture without using computers?" (The usual response "No one is forcing you to participate" is just foolish.) This may be a factor in this trend: people feel coerced but are unable to articulate how and why. As such they lash out at "the usual suspects" and Microsoft is commonly at the top of that list in spite of Apple's practices which are often much worse. If you really want to go after someone who is having an unfortunate impact on all of us, go after Google.

[Charlie Mc.]

Microsoft is so widespread they are hard to avoid. I prefer linux for all the usual reasons and use it 99% of the time. I do, however, have my system dual booted with windows 7 for those times when linux is an issue. I never have bought the argument that Microsoft or any other corporation are evil. They are simply profit driven, and that means they will do what they need to be successful. If you want companies to have motivations other than the bottom line then support open source and non profit efforts.

[brewerpaul]

This whole issue is a large pandora's box that occasionally gets opened. I started using Linux because it did give me the power to run my PC=personal computer. There are many people who never want to get under the hood and play with nix much less mess with a command line. Now Ubuntu is about as easy to put on as a pair of underpants under your kilt. Most kilt wearers know they dont belong there just as the know Nix is not for them. I keep an XP box for some scanners and other proprietary hardware just as many Nix user do. It isnt that Microsoft(Bill Gates) or Mac(Jobs) are evil. They are just trying in any way possible to corner markets and crush competition. This hasnt always been done in ethical ways but profit and money makes for less than ethical ways. We also have to look at the gaming industry and hardware that pushes faster bigger pcs than most people need. Are they evil, no just profit driven too. Then the other side is the hackers that feel they have to break everything. Some do a good job exposing flaws in an OS yet some are actually just trying to break MS and Mac. This leads to exploits useable by less than nice people or companies that hack your box. The evil I think seen in Micrsoft is the control they want over your personal computer. Mac is really the same in that issue. People see that control as invasion of their personal rights. So people do have choices, use profit driven companies, not use a computer or get under the hood occasionally and roll your own.

[Coinneach]

Unfortunately, I have to use a Windows PC/laptop of some kind to do my work. The last laptop I bought had Windows XP specifically so I could avoid Windows Vista. Now it seems I'll have to buy a Windows 7 computer to avoid Windows 8. Pretty soon, I may have to avoid working...oh wait...