Slashdot Mirror
Palladium Changes Name
thelinuxking writes "According to this CNET article, Microsoft has changed the code name of its highly controversial 'trusted' computing platform from 'Palladium' to 'next-generation secure computing base.' Microsoft claims that the name is being changed to reflect the fact that Microsoft is 'embracing this technology in terms of folding it into Windows for the next decade.' Also, an unnamed small firm has claims to the trademark of 'Palladium'. Microsoft denies that they changed the name due to the criticism 'Palladium' has recieved, and released the source code to the core part of the software to show that the software is secure and does what they claim." Notice the PR diversionary tactic: it's being criticized because it does what they claim, not because it doesn't. :)
" Microsoft claims that the name is being changed to reflect the fact that Microsoft is 'embracing this technology in terms of folding it into Windows for the next decade.'"
Why does my stomach get a queezy feeling when I read this??
Hey, I got karma to burn...
The race isn't always to the swift... but that's the way to bet!
Maybe this $300 billion company figured they could strong-arm the trademark owner out of the name like they strong-arm everyone else in the industry?
Honestly, people ... Next-Generation-Secure-Computing-Base is not DRM. This is only a tool that will allow computer users more security over important documents. Just because Pallad...Next-Generation-Computing...can be used to build DRM does not mean that it should be lumped in with it. Save the knee jerk reactions for IBM and TCPA.
Because in the past they've just muscled any trademarks they wanted from their respective owners.
Ask the the people from SyNet, which was run out of business from fighting a trademark dispute with MS over their trademark on "Internet Explorer" in the mid 90s.
Couldn't we just call it "the system formerly known as Palladium".
It worked for Prince.
::.. check out some Cell Phone Reviews
However Linux doesn't seem to require an integrated hardware/software Palladium or similar technology. MS is trying to stay in the $. I'm sure over the next Decade Linux can get an interface as integrated and user-friendly as Windows and Macs (look at OsX on FreeBSD). Then what will you choose as a computing platform? .. An integrated Windows/hardware/software secure system that you pay through the teeth for, or a less restrictive but equally friendly, cost-effect Linux desktop system? ... especially if you are deploying hundreds or thousands in a corporation. The future can be bright. MS might just force themselves into harder competition by this secure computing strategy. Here's hoping, because it's always nice to have more than one on the playing field.
Calling it ' next-generation secure computing base' is a great way of hiding Palladium as a feature on the box of the next Windows. Say I was going to retail to pick up MS Windows' next version. On the box there is either listed in the features which would look more appeasing to consumers?
.NET ?
1) 'next-generation secure computing base'
2) Palladium
From the article "To address the criticism, the company has decided to release the source code of the core part of the software, known as the nub or nexus, so that others can verify it is secure and is doing only what the company has claimed."
Question: What about
If the industry made a system board that could boot nothing but windows or "trusted" boot sectors, the outrage would be very very loud. I don't think any system board manufacturer wants to take that risk, especially with lots of corporations now using Linux and BSD in the server room and on the desktop.
-- I am. Therefore, I think!