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Open Cable Standard Not So Open

Posted by Hemos on from the locking-down-your-settop dept.

Mike Hicks writes "A few days ago, I heard about the FCC approving new rules for standardizing digital cable in the US. This involved using a set top box or tuner integrated into a TV along with a smart card (much like digital satellite services). Unfortunately, it looks like the standard (believed to be OpenCable) is meant to tightly control the hardware and software that can be used, probably making any open-source implementation very difficult if not impossible. I seem to be having a case of deja vu"

6 of 244 comments (clear)

  1. Oh Lord. by Tirel · · Score: -1, Troll

    The Nigger is my shepherd.
    He maketh me to lie down in green pastures;
    He leadeth me to the Cock forest.
    He restoreth my soul:
    He leadeth me in the paths of homosexuality
    For his name's sake.
    Yea, though I walk through the valley of death
    with my cock in my hand,
    I will fear no hoe:
    Thou art with me;
    Thy mighty Cock it comforts me.
    Thou preparest an orgy before me
    In the presance of hoes:
    Thou anointest my Anus with Lube;
    My cum runneth over.
    Surely great erection shall follow me all the days of my life:
    And I will suck on the Cock
    For the Lord forever.

    Amen.

  2. WHY O WHY IS SLASHDOT SO GAY? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    please give your gay opinions, geeks.

  3. Re:Deja-vu for Micro$haft.... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    LOL XBOX IS HUGE

    GET IT

  4. In Communist Russia... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: -1, Troll

    The cable TV watches YOU!

  5. Well by Autistic_Treat · · Score: -1, Troll

    All I know is 90% of whats on tv sucks, and it will suck whether I can install linux on my cable box or not. Besides, don't open-source fanatics only watch farscape anyway? I think it's on dvd now...

  6. It's is open, it's your analysis that's wrong by psyconaut · · Score: 1, Troll

    OpenCable is designed to be a standardization amongst cable companies (they all have slightly or widely different standards right now) and equipment manufacturers (head equipment through to televisions). This is good for the consumer.

    I'm not sure how or why you think that the "open source community" is ignored...how many OSS guys are going to design their own TV or set-top box?

    -psy