Trusted Computing - MS plan to rule the web

[fixitdude74]

I read some articles on trusted computing and how an alliance has been struck between certain major hardware manufacturers to design hardware that will only run windows systems. It also said that microsoft are planning to control the web for their benifit only, and will shut out other operating systems, ie linux, siox linux ubuntu etc, excluding novatel.

I am nuetral on this subject, and would like to know what other users think.

I am aware that this thread may be pulled, so i have made a copy.

Please feel free to comment.

Edited February 9, 2007 by fixitdude74

[nitroshift]

Microsoft canNOT force me to use their OS on MY pc. It is MY choice, and if I decide to go with linux I doubt that will affect my internet browsing.

[DigeratiPrime]

Well no need to worry about your topic being pulled, we don't "censor" anything unless it breaks the forums rules

As for Trusted Computing it is something that also concerns me as it is quietly sneaking into computer hardware and software. Most people are unaware that the new AMD and Intel processors have Presidio and LaGrande built in for example. One of the problems is the company's are being very quiet about this technology and re-name them occasionally to confuse us I think.

Right now Trusted Computing has no effect, but I can imagine a future where in order to shop or bank online for example your hardware and software would need to verify that it is 'trusted'. HDCP which is used to "protect" HD DVD and Blue-ray is another example, but people have discovered workarounds to defeat the protection. As for Linux the kernel recently added support for trusted computing, the real concern I think was over EFI which is intended to replace BIOS.

[Lost Soul]

this is very interesting, i didnt know about any of this, but i think nothing will ever really come of this , atleast i hope not

[phkninja]

You cant design hardware to only run Windows, its not possible. what they could do is make a pact to not make drivers for any other OS, essentially making it illegal to make a driver for the other anyone else.

BUT they have already had a major loss in Europe over forcing Media player and IE in Windows hence two versions of Vista for EU countries. If they try to gain a monopoly the EU will force major fines on them for anti-competitive practice. So I wouldn't worry too much, if you don't want MS you really wont have to have it. (At the end of the day most governments don't agree that American companies can dictate what you run on your hardware)

Anyway trusted computing is more about making secure transactions, and ensuring less ability for virii or spyware attacks then it is about what OS you have.

Edited February 9, 2007 by phkninja

[cluberti]

BitLocker in Vista can leverage this technology, so yes, it's already in there on newer machines. I don't think it's as sinister as people want to believe, but anything is possible. A good conspiracy theory about Microsoft always makes me chuckle anyway - weren't they trying to take over the internet with IE on Win95 way back when too?

[Camarade_Tux]

BitLocker in Vista can leverage this technology, so yes, it's already in there on newer machines. I don't think it's as sinister as people want to believe, but anything is possible. A good conspiracy theory about Microsoft always makes me chuckle anyway - weren't they trying to take over the internet with IE on Win95 way back when too?

Don't tell your didn't know! And what do you think they (you) do with IE7?

We all know you're trying to conquer the world!

=D

Back to the topic, I don't want TC. Give me one reason I would.

[fixitdude74]

Unfortunately, we (us) have no say in the matter, we are not trusted, according to MS and they will soldier on with their plan.