-Brading Software Message Board
+--Forum: The Lounge (off-topic)
+---Topic: Microsoft, "security", and the future started by Disposable Hero
Posted by: Disposable Hero on Oct. 10 2002,22:58
Most of you probably know, but for those who don't:
the license agreements for Windows XP Service Pack 1 and Windows 2000 Service Pack 3 have a few interesting clauses that are not strictly related to stability or security. More info < here > and < here. >
This presents a real dilemma for me. Obviously I can just not perform the update - I don't have any outstanding issues and I disable or firewall most of the issues. But eventually I will have to make a choice between accepting the whims of MS or moving to another platform. I'm intrigued by Linux, but it does not seem as if there are enough fully-developed apps to replace my Windows install. OSX looks interesting, but my impression is that it's "Apple's way or the highway". Any thoughts, counterpoints or suggestions appreciated.
Posted by: Magnus Brading on Oct. 10 2002,23:39
I sadly don't think that Mac will ever become nearly as big as PC, and hence there will always be much more useful and cooler apps for PCs, especially in the shareware/freeware category.
I mean, Mac were practically dead a few years ago, when Billy decided to support them just enough to keep the government to split up his poor little company into too many pieces. 
And those license agreements are just the beginning I think. I'm quite worried that all hell is gonna break loose once < Palladium > is implemented into the processors and operating systems.
I myself am planning to acquire the last processor type that does not have it, so I can at least extend my time as a free human being a little bit more (although they will probably make most such products not work at all with non-Palladium processors)...
Posted by: Magnus Brading on Oct. 10 2002,23:41
Btw, congrats to your three golden stars my veteran friend.
Posted by: Disposable Hero on Oct. 11 2002,01:01
Heh, thanks - I feel grizzled
IMO, Palladium and similar schemes and legislation (DMCA, etc) probably will cause a split in the marketplace - those who accept and those who avoid. This could have positive effects for Apple - they have not signed on to any DRM schemes AFAIK, and don't appear to be motivated to do so.
One of the things that irks me about the whole DRM issue is its assumption of guilt. 'We built in protections because we know you're a thieving b*st*rd, and we should have the right to install new protections without notice. BTW, you have no recourse if we hose your comp in the process." The idea of government-mandated DRM is a furtherance of this complete insanity. If they want to lock their crap down, why not go back to the original DivX?
Posted by: Magnus Brading on Oct. 11 2002,14:40
Yes, the question is just if enough people will really switch system type. Microsoft and Intel together have such a huge marketshare, and most users wouldn't have a clue on how to change systems, and all the companies and such would probably still use MS and Intel, since they don't really have any good politically correct reason to switch, so it could become a very unpleasant situation after all I think.
Also, about the "stick to old DivX" tactics. As long as you are using a Palladium computer, they could practically stop whatever they want (at least to a very large extent), e.g. only allowing "Palladium approved" applications to be executed on the computer at all.
Noone knows the details of what they will be able to do, and I really hope that there will be ways around it since they will after all have to walk the line between total control and public approval, but it looks a bit dark anyway I think.
Posted by: Skirge01 on Nov. 06 2002,15:58
I don't remember where I read it, but I thought that AMD was NOT going to be supporting a Palladium derivative of their own or if they implemented one, we would be able to disable it through the BIOS.
As for DRM, what congress has been up to is appalling. I'm not exactly confident about this GOP led congress, no more than I would be about a democratic led one, nor a split 50/50 congress! (How's that for being middle of the road?
) I suppose we'll see what happens. I did my part and voted yesterday. I wish the rest of the country would AND would complain about the fact that most of our votes mean nothing because of the "lines" they draw around counties.Moving off my congressional soapbox... I've had Kazaa installed for a long time but I haven't used it. So I guess I'm open to "inspection" by the RIAA on all of the MP3's I've got stored on my drives (all 50GB of music). I'd love to see them screw up my computer, since I own the rights to all 50GB!
I wonder how many attorneys would jump at the chance to sue the RIAA, most likely getting funded by tech corporations.The sad truth is that I do ultimately see this as the potentail future... invasion of our computers, malicious damage done to them, and no recourse of action allowed by us.
For those of you who don't take the time to vote or voice your opinions, remember it's YOUR rights that are slowly being taken away!
George
Posted by: Magnus Brading on Nov. 06 2002,17:26
Yeah, I really hope that something is done about these crazy ideas that the record/movie industry is pushing so hard all over the world right now.
Here in Sweden, some "independent" companies have recently started trolling the file-sharing networks, and doing their best to cut-off the internet connection for every private user who has an mp3 or movie shared! People are a bit upset to say the least.
Posted by: Skirge01 on Nov. 06 2002,21:09
That's exactly what I'm talking about. There's a bill in the US congress right now that is poised to give the RIAA and any copyright holder the RIGHT to invade your computer and disable your computer via whatever means they want (virus, etc.). They put no limitation on what extent they're allowed to go to, but they did put a limit on the VICTIM's recourse... I think it was something like $25!
If anyone is truly interested in what YOUR elected officials are up to in the US congress, go check out the < Electronic Frontier Foundation > and write, call, and even VISIT your local congressman to let them know what's on your mind!
I'm beginning to feel like a politician!
YUCK! No, make that a digital rights evangelist! 
George
Posted by: Magnus Brading on Nov. 12 2002,22:07
Scary future...
< http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/right-to-read.html >
Posted by: thei on Nov. 25 2002,19:20
< http://www.kuro5hin.org/story/2002/10/27/16622/530 >
Some interesting discussion on Palladium.
Forgive me (and delete this post) if posting a link to another forum was the wrong thing to do...
Posted by: Magnus Brading on Nov. 25 2002,19:36
No problem, thanks for the link.
Here in the off-topic forum you can practically post whatever you like (as long as it isn't illegal or too offensive).
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