Posted on Monday, August 31, 2009 @ 22:07 by DreAdeDcoRpSE
Wall of text incoming, full of nerdspeak.
I thought Microsoft learned their lesson from their Vista mistakes of a DRM infested operating system, but it appears they're even more thick headed than I had given them credit for. I have been looking forward to Windows 7, but after reading the other side of the story, I'm quite skeptical.
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For those that don't know what DRM is, it stands for Digital Rights Management, or to my preference, Digital Restrictions Management. They are usually measures that restrict in some way what you can do with a computer, often denying you full access to the files you have on your own computer.
Microsoft really seems to have a raging hard-on for DRM lately, Vista was plagued with it, which is mostly what gave it such a bad reputation among the IT literate. If you want to learn more about it,read the wiki.
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I read this slashdot.org article, which outlines some DRM issues with dynamic link libraries and the end user. It also goes into some detail about audio capturing, they seem to have switched that one off too.
I also read an article recently regarding the Windows 7 firewall, a scary feature that lets select companies stealthily bypass it with no notification to the user. Of course, Microsoft defines the companies that can do this, something that no person should be comfortable with.
A program being able to shoot through your firewall without you knowing about it could for obvious reasons be a huge security risk. I'm sure malware developers will love that one, too, when they figure out how to emulate these programs and bypass your firewall.
I'm already having visions of the second coming of blast worm. The speeds a virus could spread with this would be incredible.
A user commented on the article, saying "That's not a firewall, it's a sieve masquerading as one, to lure the unwary."
Yet another page I was reading (yes, I've read a few) had the following to say;
Quote:
The new version of Microsoft's Windows operating system, Windows 7, has the same problem that Vista, XP, and all previous versions have had -- it's proprietary software. Users are not permitted to share or modify the Windows software, or examine how it works inside.
The fact that Windows 7 is proprietary means that Microsoft asserts legal control over its users through a combination of copyrights, contracts, and patents. Microsoft uses this power to abuse computer users. |
Interestingly, they also had this to say, which surprised me.
Quote:
| With Windows Media Player, Microsoft works in collusion with the big media companies to build restrictions on copying and playing media into their operating system. For example, at the request of NBC, Microsoft was able to prevent Windows users from recording television shows that they have the legal right to record. |
DRM isn't just in Vista and Windows 7, it had started to show in XP as well lately, one example that comes to mind is the misleading "update" called WGA, or Windows Genuine Advantage. A nice pretty sounding "update", this does nothing but hog resources as an extra open process, making sure you have a valid copy of Windows. If it finds a problem, it disables updates, takes over your desktop and logon screen, and provides annoying nag screens.
Of course, in the fine print of their average EULA, it says that Microsoft reserve the right to install applications like this without warning that scans your files. Evidently they have their arses covered, they really don't respect the privacy of their end users.
But wait, it gets worse! I managed to get my hands on the RC1 EULA for Windows 7, here's some interesting exerts from it that make me feel as if by using Windows 7, I'll be putting my nuts too close to Microsoft's company bandsaw.
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Win7 EULA
Windows Update. To enable the proper functioning of the Windows Update service in the software (if you use it), updates or downloads to the Windows Update service will be required from time to time and downloaded and installed without further notice to you.
Windows Media Digital Rights Management. Content owners use Windows Media digital rights management technology (WMDRM) to protect their intellectual property, including copyrights. This software and third party software use WMDRM to play and copy WMDRM-protected content. If the software fails to protect the content, content owners may ask Microsoft to revoke the software’s ability to use WMDRM to play or copy protected content.
Network Awareness. This feature determines whether a system is connected to a network by either passive monitoring of network traffic or active DNS or HTTP queries.
ii. Use of Information. Microsoft may use the device information, Accelerator information, search suggestions information and Malware reports to improve our software and services. We may also share it with others, such as hardware and software vendors. They may use the information to improve how their products run with this software.
Activation associates the use of the software with a specific device. During activation, the software will send information about the software and the device to Microsoft. This information includes the version, language and product key of the software, the Internet protocol address of the device, and information derived from the hardware configuration of the device. For more information, see go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?Linkid=104609. By using the software, you consent to the transmission of this information. If properly licensed, you have the right to use the software during the term of this agreement. If the device is connected to the Internet, the software may automatically connect to Microsoft for activation. You can also activate the software manually by Internet or telephone. If you do so, Internet and telephone service charges may apply. Some changes to your device components or the software may require you to reactivate the software. The software will remind you to activate it until you do.
a. Validation verifies that the software has been activated and is properly licensed. It also verifies that no unauthorized changes have been made to the validation, licensing, or activation functions of the software. Validation may also check for certain malicious or unauthorized software related to such unauthorized changes. A validation check confirming that you are properly licensed permits you to continue to use the software, certain features of the software or to obtain additional benefits.
b. The software will from time to time perform a validation check of the software. The check may be initiated by the software or Microsoft. To enable the activation function and validation checks, the software may from time to time require updates or additional downloads of the validation, licensing or activation functions of the software. The updates or downloads are required for the proper functioning of the software and may be downloaded and installed without further notice to you. These updates and downloads may be delivered to you through the Windows Update service (if you use the service) or through other means. During or after a validation check, the software may send information about the software, the device and the results of the validation check to Microsoft. This information includes, for example, the version and product key of the software, any unauthorized changes made to the validation, licensing or activation functions of the software, any related malicious or unauthorized software found and the Internet protocol address of the device.
c. If, after a validation check, the software is found to be counterfeit, improperly licensed, a non-genuine Windows product, or include unauthorized changes, the functionality and experience of using the software will be affected, for example:
Microsoft may
• repair the software, remove, quarantine or disable any unauthorized changes that may interfere with the proper use of the software, including circumvention of the activation or validation functions of the software, or
• check and remove malicious or unauthorized software known to be related to such unauthorized changes
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Basically the last section could mean that theoretically Microsoft can automatically scan and remove anything it finds illegitimate without any warning to you. Knowing Microsoft, you can expect your copy of Nero or DvD decrypter to go missing out of the blue. Quote:
The software is licensed, not sold. This agreement only gives you some rights to use the software. Microsoft reserves all other rights. Unless applicable law gives you more rights despite this limitation, you may use the software only as expressly permitted in this agreement. In doing so, you must comply with any technical limitations in the software that only allow you to use it in certain ways. You may not:
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work around any technical limitations in the software;
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The bolded red section says it all.
Quote:
17. DISCLAIMER OF WARRANTY. The software is licensed “as-is”. You bear the risk of using it. Microsoft gives no express warranties, guarantees or conditions. You may have additional consumer rights under your local laws which this agreement cannot change.
18. LIMITATION ON AND EXCLUSION OF REMEDIES AND DAMAGES. You can recover from Microsoft and its suppliers only direct damages up to U.S. $5.00. You cannot recover any other damages, including consequential, lost profits, special, indirect or incidental damages.
It also applies even if Microsoft knew or should have known about the possibility of the damages. |
Multi billion dollar company issues a warranty for their software, for the cost of up to $5. Bugger.
I guess if the OS smokes your $2,000 computer, never fear. Microsoft will send you $5 in the mail as compensation. I lol'd.
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In closing, this new OS is starting to smell a lot like it's predecessor. I'm still going to try it, on a VM most likely. However, I can't see myself using it indefinitely.
It is starting to seem like I'll be using XP for the rest of my life, the future of Microsoft's operating systems isn't looking too great. Games work perfectly on it even to date, and for everything else I use Linux. Having an open source OS means that I know exactly what is running on my computer.
I hope some of you find this as interesting as I did, otherwise I'll have typed all this out for naught. Thoughts? Personally, I think this DRM is a serious invasion of privacy, as well as grossly counter-intuitive. Microsoft don't give a damn, because they have no competition. 
I should add to this that the only reason they have no competition is because 90% of developer support is purely for Microsoft.
| Snype writes ( Permalink )
Man that was one hello of a read and a very interesting one at that, Me i have already pre-orded windows 7 but am starting to think i shouldnt of lol. I will most properly stick with XP until 2014 when MS stop all updates and will no longer support it but when that time comes i will most properly have a mac the only thing that has stopped me from getting one so far is all my purchased software, Some dont run on a mac and some they just want more money for an already brought license :o.
I am very shocked how they can get away with all of this it surely must be invasion of privacy? danm the law cant do some of what they can without permissions from a court. And we all know hackers spend there lives trying to find the back doors that software programmers make you would have thought MS would have got of there high horse and fixed there problems and previous mistakes but guess not least we can all rest a sure that MS can have total control over your PC when ever they want. |
Tuesday, September 01, 2009 @ 02:53 |
| THoR writes ( Permalink )
Makes me sick really, i`m sticking with XP but i am seriously fed up of those lazy so and so`s taking so much money and not fixing anything. you buy something for a liscence period then you got to pay again for the next year, what a rip off !!
i have got windows 7 and VM , but have`nt had had the chance to try it yet !!
thanks for the info`s guess i`m buying a mac come 2014 see how they like it then. maybe just maybe ...Naah they wont fix anything who am i kidding.... |
Thursday, September 03, 2009 @ 03:01 |
| gazj writes ( Permalink )
i personally never liked vista i tryed it once and once only but as regards to the firewall allowing certain companies in on windows 7 that should only worry you if your stupid enough to rely only on windows dumb ass firewall that is about as much use as being stranded with the sh*ts and nothing but a pack of razor blades simply disable windows security center and rely on 3rd party security.
Regards to the WGA windows uses if you use copied software and are stupid enough to have updates download and install automaticly then thats your own fault i say allways manually download the updates and install the ones you want if its copied windows or original cd.
My dad has from somewhere got a beta of W7 and there are alot of issues he had with various things so word of warning dont think woooo new windows 7 let me have it just think what programs do i use from day to day and will they work and function correctly and do i really want to lose everything and start again on the off chance all will be fine |
Tuesday, September 08, 2009 @ 06:56 |
| DreAdeDcoRpSE writes ( Permalink )
Personally, as for re-guards to your statement about the auto updates on the software, they are making it so if you do or dont have them on, it wont matter, you will still have the problems of them shutting it off. They are also removing allot of key features that you normally had on XP, but lost a little of them on Vista, well they are removing more of them which will make it harder for you to customize your desktop to the way you want it and make it harder for you to really optimize your desktop to squeeze every bit of speed out of it. I guarantee that if you give it a year or 2 after 7 is released, I am sure they are going to realize that people will be complaining and they may do some changes.
As for me, I will continue using Windows XP until 2014 and maybe longer then that till I feel that Microsoft comes out with something thats equal or better, or I will go back to linux. |
Tuesday, September 08, 2009 @ 15:07 |
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