Retailers aim to get Vista boost

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It will be interesting

To date, Joe Bloggs only knew that if he bought a PC, it came with Windows on it. Sure, there were Macs, but they were expensive. If there's a tipping point for Vista, it'll come from the court of public opinion. Either everyone who uses it will have wonderful, home computing experiences, or they'll finally, after 10 years, wake up to the fact that they no longer own a PC. What they own - sorry, license - is a software system that turns the raw computing power of a server into a device for receiving premium content, which you, as a natural born thief, must be prevented from stealing. To this end, Vista's DRM will lock you down good and tight, because if there's even the slightest chance that you might want to pirate premium content, your graphics system will reboot. That's why the computing power of a small server is needed. The computational overheads of the DRM process, as it keeps constant vigil for any attempts to steal premium content, is an overhead which must be bourne by every machine. Doris in accounts might look as if she's only about to open that attachment from spyware4u, but in fact she could, at any moment, attempt to steal premium content. So Doris needs a server to monitor every keystroke, every voltage fluctuation - she might try to tap into the feed of premium content - and Doris's situation is multiplied by every "PC" user who does not want premium content, will never, ever, download a HD-TV 5.1 surround sound copy of "Texas Chainsaw Massacre", all they ever do is send email. Why does Fred in accounts need an OS who's pricipal purpose is to ensure Hollywood's output is protected from theft?

Is this not a case for Linux on the desktop, with an office package, an email client, a browser, and Skype, whatever they actually need, and nothing else. How many office workers need more than that? How many doctors secretaries need more than that? How much do any of the above, sizeable PC user group, need a machine which will reboot its graphic system if it ever thinks, or is tricked into thinking, that it's user is a pirate?

As for home users, well, that's where it'll be interesting. Will they suck it up? Or will there be a rebellion?

Posted by: whisperycat   Posted on: 01/22/07 You are currently: a Guest | Members login | Terms of Use

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