Microsoft's Digital Rights Management--A Little Deeper

<http://bsdvault.net/article.php?sid=527&mode=&order=0>

'These security related updates may disable your ability to copy and/or play Secure Content and use other software on your computer.'

I wonder what software micro$oft plans to disable on my computer? GPL software? Toast? EasyCD? Star Office? Real Player? QuickTime?

I was not aware of this until I read of this on Slashdot. I had just installed the patch on Windoze XP and didn't read the EULA! Knowing Micro$oft/Megasoft/Micro$uck, they probably will indicate that this is for safety's sake whenever they disable GPL'ed software on your system... Oh, and if you are not using Internet Exploiter, Outlook Distress, Media Fryer or OfficeXtraPain, they probably will disable the software... Anyone out there know any good spoofs of micro$oft's lame-sounding products?

Well, all I can say is that I am running Windows 2000, and replaced Mediaplayer with Real One, and it works a treat.

Matthew Gardiner

After takin' a swig o' grog, Rick belched out this bit o' wisdom:

Easy answer... just switch to Linux. More fun, fewer headaches, less guilt, less gilt for Bill.

This really begs action from the legal realm. Just as the most recent OfficeX update disabled some legitimate copies of Office (and many pirated copies to be sure), I believe such an invasion should be prevented absolutely. If there is question as to the legitimacy of apps or data, the update should fail to run, but for a stealth install to disable somebody's machine, even if less than 1% of legitimate users are effected, is wrong IMO.

MS is tying the function of the PC not only to network connections, but to MS' inspection, and now ... prevention/destruction.

It's too far, and understandable from a cocksure monopolist. Who will represent the interests of users in this?

Apparently no one.. not even the United States Government.

What happens when the 'security software' on web sites won't allow interaction with Linux apps?

Chris

What I've read about linux doesn't seem that it is easy by any means. More fun, maybe more self satifaction after you figure it out and I think that there would definately be more headaches. I'm not trying to be a smartass, but linux seems like a good OS for someone who is an info systems, IT or computer major(not sure the correct terminlogy. For the average person, me, it is very complicated. And I'll say it before someone else does, I'm about as sharp as a marble.<g>

-> After takin' a swig o' grog, Rick belched out this bit o' wisdom: -> -> > <http://bsdvault.net/article.php?sid=527&mode=&order=0> -> > -> > 'These security related updates may disable your ability to copy and/or -> > play Secure Content and use other software on your computer.' -> > -> > I wonder what software micro$oft plans to disable on my computer? GPL -> > software? Toast? EasyCD? Star Office? Real Player? QuickTime? -> -> Easy answer... just switch to Linux. More fun, fewer headaches, -> less guilt, less gilt for Bill. -> -> Chris ->

The question is, why do people pirate. Here is a good response, most people consider $1200 a little too much for a suite they may only use 10% of its functionality. When the can 'borrow' a copy, most people don't see that has bad, since they are not exactly copying software and selling it.

Matthew Gardiner

Well, with George 'I'm in bed with big business' Bush Jr in charge, customers won't have a dog show at having they concerns heard.

Matthew Gardiner