Slashdot Mirror
The Future of Windows Software Distribution
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?"
Digiatal Rights Confiscation
Do people really need reminders that MS is a criminal organization?
evil is as evil does
No, they need non-MSFT companies for this to look ligit - that's all.
Should I assume you don't know much about M$'s standard MO on 'partnering?'
:(
1) Identify a potential revenue stream or cost-savings.
2) 'Partner' with a firm already doing it well.
3) Study 'partner's' methods until they can be replicated in-house.
4) Market extended, proprietary version, using market clout to crush 'partner' into oblivion.
Frankly, the fact that business executives still are willing to cozy up to the M$ T-Rex confirms to me that there is indeed one born every minute.
Regards;
Here is how I Hope it will affect Open Source.
(Please note, I say this as a strong open source advocate.)
I hope the effect on open source is that this will make it difficult or even impossible to use Open Source on Windows.
No, I am not a troll. I do not use Windows. So it is easy for me to say something like this from my comfortable armchair, while it may cause great discomfort and expense to others who use Windows. Yes I do realize that the effect of no open source on Windows would also likely mean the end of "Freeware" on Windows. Whatever factors would make it difficult or impossible to distribute open source probably affect it in some financial way, such as a small cost to the distributor to use this system. Thus both "Freeware" and Open Source would be affected in the same way.
Just imagine! A future where the only software you can install on Windows must necessarily cost you money! This will absolutely be the most wonderful thing that could possibly happen for open source.
Those who would give up liberty in exchange for security and DRM should switch to Microsoft Palladium!
One of the goals of the GPL is to impoverish programmers. Read the GNU Manifesto. Basically they come out and say that you will be paid less but you "won't starve." Gee thanks, Commissar Stallman, programmers are so fortunate that you will allow them to eat in your perfect world!
It is easy for millionaires like Stallman to make such proclamations, but for the average computer geek just trying to make a living it is a killer. Fuck off GPL.