Another attemped power grab by Microsoft

[Joshua]

Don't be fooled. I worked for apple for 12 years, so I speak from extreme knowledge on this. Apple is probably the WORST at software restriction on all their devices. Even hardware. Ever heard of "Jailbreaking" related to any other products other than Apple?

You mean like the hacked firmware that I was loading on my blackberry and winmo phones in 2007, or my currently rooted android phone, or my psp that has been hacked to run the MAME arcade emulator? My dreamcast from 2000 that ran a Linux Web server? Jail breaking is nothing new, just a new name for it.

Reverse engineering to add functionality and just for the cool factor will always exist. It's fun to use things for purposes other than intended, more so if you are told you can't.

To the op - I am a gpl guy. But, in addition to the 4-5 Linux boxes and appliances in my home I also have some closed machines. Professionally, I manage client security (encryption, antivirus, local firewall, data forensics) for some 5300 windows machines. Frankly, I welcome additional security from Microsoft (especially their boot routine, as win7 is still quite vulnerable to local SAM attacks, something that has been around since NT 4).

[Joshua]

Sorry about a second post, but I find the idea of MS or Apple closing their models to stifle competition a bit "tin foil hat".

In fact the issue in the OP isn't about an initiative with Microsoft, but an issue with UEFI, a standard that all modern PC's and Macs have had for years... And UEFI isn't a Microsoft standard...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unified...ware_Interface

Apple has had a very closed model since Jobs returned, and his intent was clear... To have full control of the user experience (and Macs are some of the most reliable computers that this old engineer has ever used for this reason) . This is why I tell people that my MacBook and iPad are my "appliances", they work when I need them to... That was Job's vision and I think his legacy proves that.

MS is now working on the failings of its past, against piracy, and improving security. When windows activation was announced prior to windows XP, everyone minced and much FUD followed... So, 10 years later, has anyone been "oppressed" besides software pirates who could no longer generate their own product keys? (btw, fun old trick with window 95, you could make your own product key by making each octet of the serial number a modulus of seven... Same rule for office 97... Heh).