Peter Gutmann from the Department of Computer Science at the University of Auckland has published a A Cost Analysis of Windows Vista Content Protection. While this is focused on Microsoft Vista, it can be generalized to any software that tries to implement strong "copy control". As you read this, remember that "copy control" will always be ineffective against a technically sophisticated person who wishes to infringe copyright. All "copy control" systems can be cracked, and it is not possible to solve that problem. (See: e-Week: Another Vista Activation Crack Appears)
Executive Executive Summary
The Vista Content Protection specification could very well constitute the longest suicide note in history.
Executive Summary
Windows Vista includes an extensive reworking of core OS elements in order to provide content protection for so-called "premium content", typically HD data from Blu-Ray and HD-DVD sources. Providing this protection incurs considerable costs in terms of system performance, system stability, technical support overhead, and hardware and software cost. These issues affect not only users of Vista but the entire PC industry, since the effects of the protection measures extend to cover all hardware and software that will ever come into contact with Vista, even if it's not used directly with Vista (for example hardware in a Macintosh computer or on a Linux server). This document analyses the cost involved in Vista's content protection, and the collateral damage that this incurs throughout the computer industry.
asta la vista (something like that)
With all that overhead due to DRM.
I won't install on my New DAW, when I build it.
Do not want my SPDIF/ADAT outputs turned off on a 2000 dollar audio interface.
Bottom line its my machine not there's period !!!!
One more reason not to go with VISTA Bloatware.
DAW - Digital Audio Workstation.
My 2 Watts
BCDD
Not everyone will feel they have a choice.
Only if the right of hardware owners to install software of their own choosing can people "opt out" of this mess.
If you haven't been speaking with everyone you meet during the holidays about this issue, please do. And while you are at it, pull out a printout of the Petition to protect Information Technology property rights and get them to sign.
Translated to the content of this article:
a) Copyright holders should not be legally protected in encoding their content such that it only works on Microsoft Vista. Anyone who legally purchases content should be able to access it on the hardware and software of their own choosing. It should be our right to decrypt legally acquired content and privately convert it to a format readable by any of the devices which we own. (Note: This decryption and file format conversion should be considered Fair Use/Dealings, and not regulated by copyright at all).
b) Hardware owners should always be able to choose what software they run on their own hardware. This means for example you should be able to install Linux on any computer you purchase rather than Vista (Or be legally allowed to install Linux on your iPod, etc), but it also means that a computer owner (or someone else on their behalf) should be able to write software to talk to their hardware (IE: no legalization or legal protection of hardware that locks out their owners).
I think the closing offer from Peter Gutmann to Microsoft is worth considering:
In my case I never plan on buying a single HD-DVD or Blu-Ray disk, but I also don't ever plan on purchasing any Microsoft or other non-FLOSS operating systems. I only own a few DVDs currently which I purchased in order to submit my objections to Industry Canada during the 2001 consultation.
Free/Libre and Open Source Software (FLOSS) consultant.
Vista DRM ect
I tell everyone about the perils of DRM/ Vista ect.
some are suprised but others are sad to say are sheeple that take what comes there way even if its pnumatic hammer to the brain.
others are quite surprised at this but things like this only come out later in the game and they MS for example keep it under wraps so its like a submarine to come to the surfice and sink you before its to late for you to protest.
and HDMI interface creatied for holywood is a f*****g joke that should not have been allowed I have a nice 32 inch LCD that works great but it doesnt have HDMI so I wont go and drink the Koolaid and will not goto HD-DVD or Blue Ray the only good i see is Data storage.
Corperations and goverment should seperate and protect the user not the seller of this CRAP.
Wish more people not sheeple would vote with there Wallets and Purses and quit swallowing the BS thats sent there way.
My 2 Watts
BCDD