OSNews

1) I wouldn't mind the new format if Microsoft turned around and said, "this is a great new format, and we'll allow anyone to implement it" - encourage freeware/opensource to implement it, for commercial vendors, they can pay a token amount if they bundle it with their application.

It would be great all around; and hey, Microsoft do want to become an IBM, a 'old grandfather' of the IT industry - its about time they started to act like one and see their innovation as more than just a money spinning tool but also a contribution to the IT world; an act of chariety if one wishes to be cynical.

2) I don't blame Microsoft for the DRM fiasco; lets remember, its the media, more correctly, the comanies who are members of RIAA/MPAA, put pressure on Microsoft; Microsoft want to offer all these things and the MPAA/RIAA turn around and say, "we'll only back you if you do...." and a list of conditions.

If you want to barate someone for that, barate the relevant organisations - with that being said, DRM can be used for more than just music and video; you can use it for protecting documents and a whole raft of other things; its best to define what you have problems with.

Remember, DRM is made up of two parts; the policy and the enforcement; if you have a problem, its the policy you have a problem with, not the DRM enforcement side; it is the policy of the distrbuted file which is defined by the author; they're the ones you should be grinding your axe over, not Microsoft, they're merely providing the platform for its customers to take advantage of.

Its like a person who rent out cars; some have very strict policies, whilst others have very few rules; you choose the vendor who chooses not to have overly draconian DRM policies in their files which they distribute.