Hey PC techies, check out the new nightmare:

[Deja Q]

http://zdnet.com.com/2100-1104_2-5086853.html


Microsoft has expanded its relationship with BIOS maker Phoenix Technologies in a deal designed to more closely integrate the basic building blocks of the PC with the Windows operating system.

The relationship, announced this week, is designed to make PCs simpler and more reliable, the companies said. The move is likely to put consumer rights advocates on their guard, however, since both Microsoft and Phoenix are involved in plans to integrate digital rights management (DRM) technology at the operating system and hardware level. DRM is designed to give copyright owners more control over how users make use of software and content, but has been criticized as eroding consumer rights.

(snip)

Microsoft said integration should mean simpler and more reliable computers. "This is a pivotal change for the industry, and it will rapidly advance serviceability, deployment, and management for servers, mobile devices, and desktops," said Microsoft general manager of Windows hardware Tom Phillips, in a statement. "Effectively, Phoenix is creating an entirely new category of system software."


Great. Microsoft putting their propriatary code into an open-source generic BIOS will mean the end of Linux and further their talons into what is ostensibly called "digital rights management".

Amusing that Microsoft claims integrating their code into the BIOS will make for simpler and more reliable computers. Uh-huh. :eyes: Windows has over 40 million lines of code and lots of bloat yet enhancing a <1MB BIOS will make it simpler and more reliable? Where's that bridge they're trying to sell?!

It's enough to make me spend the extra money on Apple.

It's obvious M$ is doing this to attack Linux and nothing more.

[neuvocat]

1. You might be correct.

Ruthless. I'm glad I have a Mac.

[Deja Q]

2. Apple now seems to be a viable alternative

The comparatively high $ price for a Mac now is less than the price we give up to MS's fascist world. x( I will not go back to Windows.

Will my Linux apps work in OS X? It'll hurt having to buy all new software, again.

[emulatorloo]

8. Linux for Mac

HypnoToad:

I'm not techie enough to tell you whether your linux apps will work on OS X, but I can point you to some distributions of Linux for Macs:

http://www.yellowdoglinux.com/ydl_home.shtml
Yellowdog is a port of Redhat

http://www.gentoo.org/
Click on Gentoo Linux/PowerPC

Then there's Apple's open source project, Darwin
http://developer.apple.com/darwin/

You will like OS X. The iApps that come free are great. Also check this link for Open Source stuff on OS X:
http://www.apple.com/downloads/macosx/unix_open_source/

Also I have noticed that some vendors that do software for both OS X and Windows offer "crossgrades" from the Windows version to the OS X version. Not always advertised, sometimes just contact the vendor and ask. Have also seen that some Linux developers offer OS X tweaked versions as well.

[Deja Q]

3. A GREAT response to this article parallels America in general,

if you think about it.

http://forums.com.com/group/zd.News.Talkback/zdnn/tb.tpt/@thread@242727@forward@1@D-,D@ALL/@article@242727?EXP=ALL&VWM=hr&ROS=1&PAGETP=2100&SHOST=zdnet.com.com&NODEID=1104

[Bozola]

4. AKA: MS Bob 3.0

Another successful product line from MS.

(I say Bob 3.0; there was a 2.0 version that MS spent years working on until the Project Manager left to have a kid, towhit, almost immediately afterwards it was scrapped uncerimoniously. Her name? Melinda French Gates)

[BritishHuman]

5. I wouldn't say it's just to attack linux

although that's likely part of it. No, this is more likely the "trusted computing" aka "we certainly don't trust you, the user" initiative.

[RUMMYisFROSTED]

6. I predict: More system crashes!

Ta-Da!

[0rganism]

7. This could open things up for other BIOS companies.

Phoenix has a disproportionate share right now, to be sure. But if this shuts down the possibility of running Linux on a Pheonix BIOS, you can bet there's folks who'd love to produce an alternative for various motherboards. Every OEM adventure by Microsloth leaves hordes of angry alternatives in its wake.

[xJlM]

9. Or it could be more "vaporware"

And yeah, I seriously doubt that Open Source is going to fade away just because Microsuck is threatening to bring more of their cobbled up shit out for sale.