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RealPC For Mac Delayed By MS Cease And Desist
mgh02114 writes "Microsoft recently purchased the Windows-on-a-Mac emulation program "Virtual PC" from Connectix. Since then, FWB announced that they were working to revive their competing 'Real PC' Windows emulation program for Macintosh OS X.
Well, now it looks like Microsoft is trying to kill that program as well. FWB announced that: 'FWB is working diligently to update Real PC and Softwindows for OSX. In May, while working on this project, we received a setback in the form of a cease and desist letter from Microsoft. We are working to resolve the issues with Microsoft, and this has caused some delay, much to our frustration. We are committed to having a beta for you to test for us and help us optimize, this summer. We think we have only lost a few weeks of time to this issue.' FWB appreciates your continued patience and support."
Windows DOESN'T WANT MORE WINDOWS USERS? In order to run windows on a Mac, you have to buy the license to run the Windows, even with VPC-style emulation.
This is a load of status-quo crap that Microsoft wants to cram down the throats of those of us who like the Mac platform.
Only in slashdot are posts of solidarity modded at -1 Redundant, while posts of antagonism are modded as -1 Flamebait.
Well, of course Microcrap doesn't want FWB to make a Windows emulator. Why would they, M$ already makes one? We don't need TWO Winblows emulators, right? That would just be downright GREEDY.
It could be something as simple as a product naming/trademark issue.
MS VPC or FWB RealPC - the choice for me would come down to speed. I've used VPC and been less than impressed with its quickness. So much so, that it would almost be faster for me to drive to the office to do the "Windows-only" tasks that I might need to do.
Luckily my company uses Citrix, which allows me to do my Windows work from the comfort of my Mac!
This is my sig. There are many like it, but this one is mine.
-dunar
"Microsoft is doing one of the following:"
Just out of curiosity, how do you know those are the only options? Why can't it be that this software trips over a patent they have or some other issue? I mean seriously, isn't it odd that they're not showing us the Cease and Desist letter? Isn't it odd that they're not explaining what the issue is? For all we know, MS just wants them to stop the shipment of the product because they're not using the (R) term properly.
I'm not defending Microsoft here. Far from it. I'm just sick of all these paranoid theories that pop up with the most minimal of information. We already get this type of sensationalism from CNN. Do we need it on Slashdot too?
What the RealPC guy doesn't tell you is that he SOLD his business to Connectix a few years ago. This is how Connectix did the product for Mac. VitrualPC is nothing but the evolution of RealPC.
When Connectix PURCHASED the IP from RealPC, the contract was saying that RealPC would not be able to sell anymore this product, as it was not theirs anymore. Now that MS bought Connectix's IP, VirtualPC that is, that idiot RealPC guy THOUGHT that he would be able to re-sell his own app!! What a loonie! He signed for the contract that now MS is owning.
MS only does what they should do here, as they own that IP. RealPC seems to have its head on its a$$.
I call bullshit on that theory for one simple reason.
/.'s front page instead of the apple section. If this doesn't look like Microsoft-specific coercion by using their monopolistic strongarm tactics, I don't know what is.
FWB used to produce the Windows 95/98 Emulator which was called Softwindows. They changed the title of it to RealPC just to avoid extra headaches from Microsoft's legal department.
I really hope this was on
It could be that Microsoft plans on killing VPC, and doesn't want there to be any way to run Windows on Mac.
Q: Yes, but why?
A: Palladium.
Microsoft is really into this whole Palladium thing. It provides a way to secure future revenue streams once Windows' competitors pass it by on the technology front. They just need to provide a 'secure platform' and convince/acquire the big media players into only allowing their IP to be available on Palladium.
Palladium relies on trusted hardware. If you have a bunch of trusted 'hardware' out there running emulated in software it's suddenly much easier to peek at. This is bad for media sales, and Microsoft revenue.
So, might as well cut off any such efforts before they get off the ground. Who do you think has more lawyers, FWB or Microsoft? My vocabulary word of the day today is barratry.
From this perspective, the iTunes Music Store is the biggest poke in the eye Steve could have stuck to Bill, and puts them on the defensive like nothing else could. The iTunes Music Store is actually strategically necessary for the future viability of Mac OS X and Apple. It's real purpose is to preempt Palladium. I have to admit, that's pretty frikkin clever.
My God, it's Full of Source!
OUTSIDE_IP=$(dig +short my.ip @outsideip.net)
I can not see Microsoft ever seriously promoting a Windows emulator. Why not? A quality Windows emulator being on the market will lead to more Mac use. As people get accustomed to Macs they will stop feeling the need for a Windows emulator. Plain and simple, despite the fact that Windows emulators require a Windows license, Windows emulators make it easier to switch away from Microsoft.
Feel free to mod me "-1 - Angry Jerk".
Virtual PC software emulates commodity PC hardware. It does not emulate Windows. If you choose to use Windows under Virtual PC, you use a bona fide Microsoft Windows installer CD. Alternatively, you're free to install x86 Linux under Virtual PC as well.
If you reply, do so only to what I explicitly wrote. If I didn't write it, don't assume or infer it.
ok, fair enough. But can you name any time that Microsoft WASN'T guilty as charged? Even one? I mean come on, Microsoft has been involved in damn near every shady deal that has gone down since it's inception.
(thinking hard...)
Well, there was that NSA backdoor thing that turned out to be nothing. Tough to think of anything else, though.
Fuck Microsoft.
(I love it. Two of my favorite words and I get a chance to use them!!!) :) LOL
Microsoft is one of your favorite words ? Ack !