Gates on Digital Restrictions Technologies
doormat writes "According to this article, Gates says you can choose not to use the new secure PC technology that they're developing. Is that going to be a choice like being a vegetarian, or like choosing not to eat at all?" There's also a short piece about DRM and Linux, which is a follow-up to Linus on DRM.
However I can't help but start reading DRM differently.
;)
Digital Rights Management
Digital Restrictions Masochism
Same diff really.
Oh, and as an opinion, he expects us not to eat.
Karma: Chameleon (mostly due to the fact that you come and go).
You'll know you've opted out when your start button is greyed out, and the mouseover text reads "You have chosen not to use certain features that will greatly enhance your computing experience. This function will be unavailable until you opt to use our 'My File Tracking' feature."
They that can give up essential liberty to obtain a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety.
The technology has raised eyebrows not only for the absolute control it would grant such creators of digital content as music and movie companies but also because it is being driven by Microsoft, which has a reputation for strong-arming the computer industry.
And the next nominee for "Understatement of the Year" is... Matthew Fordahl, of the Associated Press!
>Gates says you can choose not to use the new secure PC technology
Thank you Bill Gates my master borg!
Can I choose not to use Windows(tm) too ?
As the well-informed geeks that we are, we are quite aware of the fact that it's perfectly possible to run a secure operating system and maintain it in a good way without DRM in the manner advertised.
However, I can predict that M$ will make a valiant effort to try to persuade the public into thinking that not being part of their Next Generation Secure Computing Base will put them at some kind of immediate risk. The only real risk I can think of here will be the credit given to you if you choose not to run a trusted operating system.
"Hello, I'd like support for M$ Cock-In-Yo-Ass V6 please"
"Are you using NGSCB?"
"No"
"We need you to be running a trusted operating system so that we can remotely assist you, sir."
*Dial tone*
This movement won't be a good thing.
I think I just decided to buy a Mac.
And the masses cried out, "09 F9 11 02 9D 74 E3 5B D8 41 56 C5 63 56 88 C0!"