And so the war on general computing continues. Were you looking forward to ARM laptops and maybe even desktops now that Windows 8 will also be released for ARM? I personally was, because I'd much rather have a thin, but fast and economical machine than a beastly Intel PC. Sadly, it turns out that all our fears regarding UEFI's Secure Boot feature were justified: Microsoft prohibits OEMs from allowing you to install anything other than Windows 8 on ARM devices (the Software Freedom Law Center has more).
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Member since:2011-01-28
ilovebeer,
"If that becomes true at some point in the future, it will only affect those who willingly purchase DFW8 systems with the intent of using a non-Windows 8 operating system."
This may come as a shock to you, but some windows 8 buyers may actually want to have the choice to dual boot even if they do like windows.
New independent start up projects will particularly suffer since they're functionally incomplete - they require either dual booting, which won't work, or a new dedicated device. How many are going to buy separate dedicated hardware for an alpha OS that isn't ready? The answer is far fewer than those who would volunteer to run it on existing hardware.
Who cares right? I concede, it's not your problem. But it is a problem for open computing and anyone who might benefit from it. What if desktop computers had enforced 3rd party control over OS restrictions, can you honestly say that it would not have impeded the development and growth of alternate operating systems?
"The only people who may have concern are those I described above, and they are in the extreme minority."
Well, I'm happy to end on this note. At least you've finally acknowledged that we have a concern, even though we are in the minority.
Member since:
2011-08-08
If that becomes true at some point in the future, it will only affect those who willingly purchase DFW8 systems with the intent of using a non-Windows 8 operating system. My only words for such individuals would be to suggest they do their homework first next time and try to make smarter purchasing decisions that better suit their needs.
You have no idea what my views on open computing are as I've never discussed it. This is identical to your idea of what my idea of ethics are. Again, a topic I haven't discussed my views on. So far you haven't made a single assumption about my views that is correct. Maybe it's time you stop pretending you know some much about them when in fact you know next to nothing.
Regarding the success of Windows 8... The only people who may have concern are those I described above, and they are in the extreme minority. I've heard your same or similar argument time & time again over the years and one thing has always held true -- the sky has never fallen.