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Windows Vista and the Future of Hardware
NSIM writes to mention an article on ExtremeTech looking at the impact that Windows Vista will have on the future of computer hardware. In addition to obvious elements like CPUs, GPUs, and display interfaces, the article also touches on things like DRM (which Vista heavily supports) and audio formats. From the article: "Currently, only a few shipping products actually support the crypto-ROM needed to ensure compliance with Blu-Ray, HD-DVD, and CableCard. It's looking like next-generation cards will all implement the needed firmware. Continued... The impact on future displays is a bit more subtle, but we're starting to see the impact already. Widescreen displays offering very high resolutions, such as the Dell 2407WFP are starting to become more affordable. But a 1920x1200 resolution often creates legibility problems for some users resulting from the tiny size of the default Windows font."
In what way does Vista shove DRM down your throat, having been using for a while now, DRM doesn't seem to be any more of an issue than it is with any other OS. Vista doesn't stop me ripping media to DRMless formats, doesn't stop me playing back DRMless media. All Vista is doing is supporting DRM schemes required to handle things like HDCP and HD-DVD, that's no different to the decision to support the DRM that was required to playback DVDs, the only difference so far is that no one has cracked the DRM on HD-DVD. In the end, what do you want MS to do, they have three options: Support DRM - lets end users play the stuff without causing problems, it's up to the end user to decide if they can live with restricted rights on the media Actively bypass DRM - get sued by every media company on the planet Do nothing - even if end users can live with the DRM restrictions they can't actually play DRMd formats Seems like the "support" position is the most logical and defensible to me.