Windows Vista has had something of a troubled birth. Hyped features were pulled, and the project as a whole took far longer to complete than expected, partly due to standing still while MS dropped everything to work on WinXP Service Pack 2, but in part also due to a decision to "reset" and scrap much of the new development. This has led some commentators to dub the project a "train wreck."
To view parent comment, click here.
To read all comments associated with this story, please click here.
Member since:2006-02-05
It is a DRM problem, the DRM is the reason you have to buy special software to play DVD's on your computer.
Its a non-issue on mac and windows, where users actually do spend money on software. Its a major issue on linux, where users don't. The reason you have to spend money on a DVD is because of DRM, that is true, but the unwillingness of linux users to spend money is why there is only 1 legitimate dvd player available for 1 of the hundreds of distrobutions out there. And that is also the distrobution that gets the most flack for not being
open and particapatory enough. (or used to anyways)
True, but DRM is not the solution. DRM does nothing to stop pirates, while annoying the people that actually paid for it.
I would argue differently, I would think that if the average joe were able to freely copy and redistribute stuff they bought on iTunes, there would be much higher levels of iTunes piracy. DRM doesnt stop serious pirates, but it does stop casual ones.
And you have already commited FSF herasy by saying that copyright holders should have the right to determine who consumes their IP. The FSF believes that all media should be free of restrictions (whether that makes economic sense or not) This is where "Good" and "Evil" come into play. When you get to this level of fanaticism, you start to view the computing industry as a DnD game rather then what it is, a business.
Linux will never be as badly DRM infected as Vista is.
Then I guess linux will never be able to play HD-DVDs.
While MS annoys their customers(victims)with DRM/activation/WGA, they will flee the Windows monopoly, and switch to Linux or buy a Mac.
MS (and every other commercial company) have been annoying their customers with various forms of copy protection since the mid 80s, and we still havnt seen that mass migration to linux that is predicted by tech magazines whenever they have nothing better to write about (or maybe THIS is the year of the linux desktop?)
You need to read more articles about Vista, if you believe that.
Articles filled with disgust tend to come from linux websites. What the majority of the rest of them say is that we were promised something that was superior to anything else out there, and we got mac from two years ago, OR they say that it is a substancial upgrade from xp with alot of polish in places that needed it, but that drivers arent up to xp standards, and UAC is annoying (anyone who uses linux wouldnt find it annoying, as its the exact same thing as sudo in ubuntu). That will not prompt people to go to linux, it will prompt people to wait until they upgrade their pc to switch to vista.
There are many great reasons to use Linux, Vista being the best reason of all.
If you are using Linux because of how much you hate vista, I truely feel sorry for you.
Member since:2007-03-04
"Its a non-issue on mac and windows, where users actually do spend money on software. Its a major issue on linux, where users don't. The reason you have to spend money on a DVD is because of DRM, that is true, but the unwillingness of linux users to spend money is why there is only 1 legitimate dvd player available for 1 of the hundreds of distrobutions out there."
Many Linux users are willing to spend money on software. If Linux users want a legitimate DVD player, they will buy it.
"And you have already commited FSF herasy by saying that copyright holders should have the right to determine who consumes their IP."
I was saying they should target pirates, and not annoy legitimate customers with DRM garbage.
"Then I guess linux will never be able to play HD-DVDs."
There will probably be software available for purchase, to play DRM infected HD-DVDs.
"MS (and every other commercial company) have been annoying their customers with various forms of copy protection since the mid 80s, and we still havnt seen that mass migration to linux that is predicted by tech magazines whenever they have nothing better to write about (or maybe THIS is the year of the linux desktop?"
MS has taken DRM annoyance to a frightening new level with Vista. I see a steady erosion of Windows market share, because of people switching to Linux and Mac.
"it will prompt people to wait until they upgrade their pc to switch to vista."
It might also prompt them to switch to Linux or Mac.
"If you are using Linux because of how much you hate vista, I truely feel sorry for you."
I was using Linux years before the release of Vista. Considering how bad Vista is, many more people will be using Linux too.
Edited 2007-03-22 17:48
Member since:
2007-03-04
"Its not a DRM problem, the problem is that linux users are unwilling to spend money for what they use."
It is a DRM problem, the DRM is the reason you have to buy special software to play DVD's on your computer.
"It is not unreasonable for companies to want assurances that their IP wont be flagrantly copied before they start selling stuff online"
True, but DRM is not the solution. DRM does nothing to stop pirates, while annoying the people that actually paid for it.
"Vista has DRM capabilities, as will Linux."
Linux will never be as badly DRM infected as Vista is.
"So, that means its something that needs to be fixed, not something that needs to be done away with."
While MS annoys their customers(victims)with DRM/activation/WGA, they will flee the Windows monopoly, and switch to Linux or buy a Mac.
"The disgust seems to be primarily with teenagers without the disposable income nessicary to upgrade their hardware, and users of other operating systems."
You need to read more articles about Vista, if you believe that.
"Linux is a geeks dream, but the only reason for others to use it outside the server room is to save money."
There are many great reasons to use Linux, Vista being the best reason of all.
http://badvista.fsf.org/