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How Microsoft Can Lock Linux Off Windows 8 PCs
Julie188 writes "Windows 8 PCs will use the next-generation booting specification known as Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI). In fact, Windows 8 logo devices will be required to use the secure boot portion of the new spec. Secure UEFI is intended to thwart rootkit infections by using PKI authentication before allowing executables or drivers to be loaded onto the device. Problem is, unless the device manufacturer gives a key to the device owner, it can also be used to keep the PC's owner from wiping out the current OS and installing another option, such as Linux."
If trusted boot is used to deny people's right to hardware they lawfully purchased I expect to see attacks of both technical and legal natures succeeding against trusted boot.
it's not a bad idea in general as long as the owner of the device holds the key.
Snowden and Manning are heroes.
Are iPads legal in the EU?
If you think they should be, make your case to the EU. You never know. The existing rulings against Microsoft were made because companies complained. The way Apple is going, with a chance of achieving a monopoly in the tablet market, I suspect they'll cross swords with the EU at some point.
However, the issue here is not whether Microsoft should be able to market their own-brand locked down tablet - its the hypothetical idea that MS could use its leverage with OEMs (i.e. the cost of MS software licenses, and other incentive schemes) to encourage them all to lock out non-MS operating systems. Hypothetical, but a plausible extrapolation from their past practices...
But do not fret, you can still install whatever OS you like on an Apple Mac.
In a survey of 100 programmers, 111111 thought that duck-typing was a good idea.
The real fun will begin when Microsoft decides to EOL your hardware by not releasing keys for newer versions of Windows, even if the machine has the specs to run it.
Stopping dual boot or changing the OS by users would stop the market penetration by Linux. Maybe the knowledgeable Linux crowd might build their own computers but this is beyond the capacity of probably 99% of computer users. Market penetration by a competing OS would be stopped cold which is what MS wants. They want to stop the downward slide of Windows. Yes, Linux has a very small share of the OS market, but what about some new and different OS that is developed in the future. This would stop them from even starting. It's not just about Linux.