Re: FSF anti-Vista campaign

ray wrote:

On Thu, 08 Feb 2007 14:53:54 -0800, Beowulf wrote:

FYI: I read today in Linux Format magazine that the Free Software
Foundation is launching an anti-Vista campaign to let the public know
about the incredibly lousy restrictions Microsoft Vista puts on DRM
(digital rights management). At this point, as much I need WinXP for a
video editing workstation (used only out of necessity), I have no
interest in putting Vista on any of my PCs; the DRM infringments of
Vista just sound horrible.

To be quite frank, DRM is so far down my list of priorities it does not
even register.

Well you're missing the point, then. MS are deliberately restricting the
way in which you can use your own computer:

They don't /sell/ you Windows, they /lease/ it to you. You have *no* rights
to your _own_ material on your computer if you've agreed to the MS EULA.
The Vista media-handling software is deliberately crippled if you try to
use "restricted" material.

The MS EULA gives them the "right" to remotely examine your hardware
configuration and to remotely enumerate the software on your computer. If
you change the hardware configuration (buy an extra hard drive, improve the
video or audio cards), you have to re-validate your right to use Windows.

As is typical of all MS software, their validation routines are seriously
flaky, and a good proportion of legitimate users are told that they have
pirated software. Windows then further cripples its' already marginal
functionality!

The committed Windows users (and in the circumstances, they /should/ be
committed!) are being rapidly driven away from their favourite "operating
system". MS are doing everything they can to alienate their home userbase.

Vista breaks compatibility with a lot of hardware (some of it quite recent)
and won't run older software. MS are trying to force their userbase to pay
for "upgraded" versions of all their software. This will alienate much of
the business market - if they buy a new computer with Vista pre-installed,
and they can't use their existing software...

MS have really made a mess of this new "operating system". It requires much
more hardware power than previous versions, has this nasty DRM built in,
has no real security - contrary to their advertising hype - and isn't any
significant improvement over their previous version.

I'm not sure how much influence the FSF can have on the Windows-buying
masses, but Vista will do enough damage to the MS empire without our
intervention!

Chris
.

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