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Cringely: MS To Hurt Linux Via USB Enhancements

Posted by timothy on from the embrace-and-extinguish dept.

frogspit writes "In this article, Cringely suggests that MS's proposed enhancements to USB to address security issues have the added benefit (for them) of hurting Linux."

4 of 877 comments (clear)

  1. Not Practical by Timber_Z · · Score: 5, Interesting

    As big as Microsoft is, they can't simply make useless all usb drives out there with a flick of a switch, as the artical sugests.

    More likly, Longhorn will by default allow standard behavior from usb devices.

    If and only if the administrator of the OS flips a switch will the usb port be (Disabled / Read only / {Custom USB Writeable})

    So while they may require a Longhorn only usb drive, in certain scenario's, regular ones should still work in most situations.

    This is of course only conjecture, only time will tell for sure what will happen.

  2. Bias by RzUpAnmsCwrds · · Score: 5, Interesting

    This story is ripe with bias. Microsoft isn't stupid or powerful enough to force everyone to abandon all of their USB devices.

    That's why neither this nor NGSCP (Palladium) are of any concern.

    Everyone wants to FUD about how Microsoft is going to make a BIOS that "locks out linux", or a USB standard that locks out old devices. It's not going to happen. 5 years from now, you're still going to be able to run Linux on your computer, and you're still going to be able to access your USB devices in Longhorn and Linux.

    Now, certain devices - music players, primarily, will probably be "secure" (DRM encumbered). But you'll probably still be able to use them in Linux, so long as someone writes the drivers. The new Microsoft USB-spec is just a way for media players to confirm to the OS (and DRM framework) that they will obey the DRM restrictions.

    It's pointless to debate this anyway. It hasn't happened yet. Remember back in 2001 when Slashdot was spreading FUD about Palladium? As it turns out, we can still run Linux on our computers, and we will be able to do so for the immediate future.

  3. Several different scenarios by moberry · · Score: 5, Interesting
    The consumer population will not go along with the idea of "sorry, your old device won't work. please buy a new one". Why do you think there are RS-232 ports on computers STILL, i havent seen a serial device in years. Two things could happen

    • MS does this, and everyone switches to firewire, or some other hot new standard
    • Manufacturers write drivers for there devices, and go on supporting them

    IMHO, i think that manufacturers will just package generic USB drivers with there devices.

  4. Re:Not a chance by Baseclass · · Score: 5, Interesting
    Yes, Microsoft has done the impossible. I've always told my family and friends that it wasn't possible for image files to maliciously damage their PCs.

    I stand corrected however. Kudos to Microsoft.

    --
    ^^vv<><>BA