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The Future of Windows Software Distribution

Posted by Hemos on from the implications-across-the-board dept.

Diomidis Spinellis writes "Microsoft's Windows Marketplace Labs offer a preview of their Digital Locker technology. The Digital Locker uses Microsoft's Passport Network to allow Windows users to search, buy, and download software from multiple retailers, storing their product keys for future installations. Both retailers offering the service support digital rights management technologies: Digital River promotes its SoftwarePasport, and eSsellerate its Product Activation technology. Will this technology trigger an across-the-board adoption of DRM for Windows software? How will it affect the distribution of free and open-source software?"

2 of 194 comments (clear)

  1. Nice by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Insightful

    The first stop on the path to web services.

    First they get you used to having no packaging, then they get you with the subscription service.

    1. Re:Nice by kgruscho · · Score: 5, Insightful

      I think windows dominance relies on past piracy. Piracy was truly rampant back in the windows 3.11 days, back then I seemd to se 3-4 priate copies for each legit copy.

      Now almost every copy of windows I see running is legit, because it came with the computer.

      Windows became dominant by being pirated, but once it was entrenched, microsoft started selling it on every PC out there. And selling cheap upgrades to half the pirate copies.

      Also please people do not kid yourself in thinking that prices and DRM will push people to linux. linux has some great merits, but most people do not build their system and get the OS preinstalled, to them windows is "free".

      (Honestly I think the best bet for linux is if a manufacturer acts like apple, and puts together really nice hardware and ships a box that just works for the end user)