Comments on: Hollywood, Microsoft align on new Windows

Vista, the next version of the operating system, has unprecedented features for guarding against video piracy.
FAQ: Vista's strong, new antipiracy protections

[Sentinel]

What they haven't realized

I have to admit, I was looking forward to Vista (despite the fact that it is an unnecessary new version of the OS), but not anymore. If Microsoft is going to limit what I can do with my PC then I might as well stick with Linux, and use Windows only for the occasional DVD I like to watch on my PC (Note: there are currently no legal DVD players for Linux). Oh yeah, the PC will be "center of entertainment hub" of the future indeed. I put in my DVD but I can't watch it, because Microsoft deemed that my hardware is too old to run it. I have to buy the hardware that Microsoft wants me to buy, or not be able to watch my movies, or just see crappy low-definition versions. I wonder why the honest PC user always ends up paying for the crimes of the dishonest ones? But because one is evil, then all are evil and must be controlled. They must be stripped of all freedom.

[aabcdefghij987654321]

Linspire

It is my understanding that Linspire offers a legal DVD player for thier distribution of Linux.

[Sentinel]

What they haven't realized

I have to admit, I was looking forward to Vista (despite the fact that it is an unnecessary new version of the OS), but not anymore. If Microsoft is going to limit what I can do with my PC then I might as well stick with Linux, and use Windows only for the occasional DVD I like to watch on my PC (Note: there are currently no legal DVD players for Linux). Oh yeah, the PC will be "center of entertainment hub" of the future indeed. I put in my DVD but I can't watch it, because Microsoft deemed that my hardware is too old to run it. I have to buy the hardware that Microsoft wants me to buy, or not be able to watch my movies, or just see crappy low-definition versions. I wonder why the honest PC user always ends up paying for the crimes of the dishonest ones? But because one is evil, then all are evil and must be controlled. They must be stripped of all freedom.

[aabcdefghij987654321]

Linspire

It is my understanding that Linspire offers a legal DVD player for thier distribution of Linux.

[Sentinel]

What they haven't realized

I have to admit, I was looking forward to Vista (despite the fact that it is an unnecessary new version of the OS), but not anymore. If Microsoft is going to limit what I can do with my PC then I might as well stick with Linux, and use Windows only for the occasional DVD I like to watch on my PC (Note: there are currently no legal DVD players for Linux). Oh yeah, the PC will be "center of entertainment hub" of the future indeed. I put in my DVD but I can't watch it, because Microsoft deemed that my hardware is too old to run it. I have to buy the hardware that Microsoft wants me to buy, or not be able to watch my movies, or just see crappy low-definition versions. I wonder why the honest PC user always ends up paying for the crimes of the dishonest ones? But because one is evil, then all are evil and must be controlled. They must be stripped of all freedom.

[aabcdefghij987654321]

Linspire

It is my understanding that Linspire offers a legal DVD player for thier distribution of Linux.

[Sentinel]

What they haven't realized

I have to admit, I was looking forward to Vista (despite the fact that it is an unnecessary new version of the OS), but not anymore. If Microsoft is going to limit what I can do with my PC then I might as well stick with Linux, and use Windows only for the occasional DVD I like to watch on my PC (Note: there are currently no legal DVD players for Linux). Oh yeah, the PC will be "center of entertainment hub" of the future indeed. I put in my DVD but I can't watch it, because Microsoft deemed that my hardware is too old to run it. I have to buy the hardware that Microsoft wants me to buy, or not be able to watch my movies, or just see crappy low-definition versions. I wonder why the honest PC user always ends up paying for the crimes of the dishonest ones? But because one is evil, then all are evil and must be controlled. They must be stripped of all freedom.

[aabcdefghij987654321]

Linspire

It is my understanding that Linspire offers a legal DVD player for thier distribution of Linux.

[GHogge]

The Beginning of the End...

Microsoft is the dominant player in the PC market because their system was "pirate-able" and because they allowed the geeks the ability to reasonably do what they wanted with the system. When the geeks can no longer do what they want with the system, they will switch to another and when the average consumer sees what a geek can do and they can't. The consumers will follow the geeks. Does Microsoft (or anyone else for that matter) really believe they can out-smart 1,000,000+ hackers and hacker wannabes. The smart thing for MS to do would be to embrace the open source model. They could make linux disappear and even the rabid Mac fans ocillate. But that won't happen.

Mark your calendars. In 5 years will all be complaining about the stabilty of the latest linux release. But we won't be using Windows.

[GHogge]

The Beginning of the End...

Microsoft is the dominant player in the PC market because their system was "pirate-able" and because they allowed the geeks the ability to reasonably do what they wanted with the system. When the geeks can no longer do what they want with the system, they will switch to another and when the average consumer sees what a geek can do and they can't. The consumers will follow the geeks. Does Microsoft (or anyone else for that matter) really believe they can out-smart 1,000,000+ hackers and hacker wannabes. The smart thing for MS to do would be to embrace the open source model. They could make linux disappear and even the rabid Mac fans ocillate. But that won't happen.

Mark your calendars. In 5 years will all be complaining about the stabilty of the latest linux release. But we won't be using Windows.

[GHogge]

The Beginning of the End...

Microsoft is the dominant player in the PC market because their system was "pirate-able" and because they allowed the geeks the ability to reasonably do what they wanted with the system. When the geeks can no longer do what they want with the system, they will switch to another and when the average consumer sees what a geek can do and they can't. The consumers will follow the geeks. Does Microsoft (or anyone else for that matter) really believe they can out-smart 1,000,000+ hackers and hacker wannabes. The smart thing for MS to do would be to embrace the open source model. They could make linux disappear and even the rabid Mac fans ocillate. But that won't happen.

Mark your calendars. In 5 years will all be complaining about the stabilty of the latest linux release. But we won't be using Windows.

[GHogge]

The Beginning of the End...

Microsoft is the dominant player in the PC market because their system was "pirate-able" and because they allowed the geeks the ability to reasonably do what they wanted with the system. When the geeks can no longer do what they want with the system, they will switch to another and when the average consumer sees what a geek can do and they can't. The consumers will follow the geeks. Does Microsoft (or anyone else for that matter) really believe they can out-smart 1,000,000+ hackers and hacker wannabes. The smart thing for MS to do would be to embrace the open source model. They could make linux disappear and even the rabid Mac fans ocillate. But that won't happen.

Mark your calendars. In 5 years will all be complaining about the stabilty of the latest linux release. But we won't be using Windows.

[skeptik]

brilliant strategy

"Microsoft believes it has to make nice with the entertainment industry if the PC is going to form the center of new digital home networks."

Hey Marcus:
Who buys more Windows licenses - Hollywood or consumers?
You lack the product stability of the ipod to pull off a iTunes type of surrender to the entertainment industry. People buy Windows based products because they are open and modifiable (wow does that sound weird to say about MS!) while still easy for the non-geek to operate. Screw up that balance and we'll all buy Macs if we want ease of use or Linus if we want to do things our way.
Digital home entertainment systems will be attractive only if they allow consumers to do what they want. I mean really, if I'm not going to modify/hack my media, why would I want a $1500 multimedia PC (that will reguire a regular reboot everytime I load a DVD!) when a $40 DVD player can play all my video, audio and jpegs?
Pull your head out of your butt and serve the ones buying your product!

[Leria]

Very good points

Very good point. If Microsoft would tell Hollywood to stick it with their demands, they could make Hollywood give up on the idea of DRM FOREVER.
More regular people like you and me buy Microsoft Windows than Hollywood ever did. I am sure that it is about 100,000 to 1, in our favor. If WE as consumers start telling Microsoft that this kind of restriction is not acceptable, they will get the message and stop putting it in.

[skeptik]

brilliant strategy

"Microsoft believes it has to make nice with the entertainment industry if the PC is going to form the center of new digital home networks."

Hey Marcus:
Who buys more Windows licenses - Hollywood or consumers?
You lack the product stability of the ipod to pull off a iTunes type of surrender to the entertainment industry. People buy Windows based products because they are open and modifiable (wow does that sound weird to say about MS!) while still easy for the non-geek to operate. Screw up that balance and we'll all buy Macs if we want ease of use or Linus if we want to do things our way.
Digital home entertainment systems will be attractive only if they allow consumers to do what they want. I mean really, if I'm not going to modify/hack my media, why would I want a $1500 multimedia PC (that will reguire a regular reboot everytime I load a DVD!) when a $40 DVD player can play all my video, audio and jpegs?
Pull your head out of your butt and serve the ones buying your product!

[Leria]

Very good points

Very good point. If Microsoft would tell Hollywood to stick it with their demands, they could make Hollywood give up on the idea of DRM FOREVER.
More regular people like you and me buy Microsoft Windows than Hollywood ever did. I am sure that it is about 100,000 to 1, in our favor. If WE as consumers start telling Microsoft that this kind of restriction is not acceptable, they will get the message and stop putting it in.

[skeptik]

brilliant strategy

"Microsoft believes it has to make nice with the entertainment industry if the PC is going to form the center of new digital home networks."

Hey Marcus:
Who buys more Windows licenses - Hollywood or consumers?
You lack the product stability of the ipod to pull off a iTunes type of surrender to the entertainment industry. People buy Windows based products because they are open and modifiable (wow does that sound weird to say about MS!) while still easy for the non-geek to operate. Screw up that balance and we'll all buy Macs if we want ease of use or Linus if we want to do things our way.
Digital home entertainment systems will be attractive only if they allow consumers to do what they want. I mean really, if I'm not going to modify/hack my media, why would I want a $1500 multimedia PC (that will reguire a regular reboot everytime I load a DVD!) when a $40 DVD player can play all my video, audio and jpegs?
Pull your head out of your butt and serve the ones buying your product!

[Leria]

Very good points

Very good point. If Microsoft would tell Hollywood to stick it with their demands, they could make Hollywood give up on the idea of DRM FOREVER.
More regular people like you and me buy Microsoft Windows than Hollywood ever did. I am sure that it is about 100,000 to 1, in our favor. If WE as consumers start telling Microsoft that this kind of restriction is not acceptable, they will get the message and stop putting it in.

[skeptik]

brilliant strategy

"Microsoft believes it has to make nice with the entertainment industry if the PC is going to form the center of new digital home networks."

Hey Marcus:
Who buys more Windows licenses - Hollywood or consumers?
You lack the product stability of the ipod to pull off a iTunes type of surrender to the entertainment industry. People buy Windows based products because they are open and modifiable (wow does that sound weird to say about MS!) while still easy for the non-geek to operate. Screw up that balance and we'll all buy Macs if we want ease of use or Linus if we want to do things our way.
Digital home entertainment systems will be attractive only if they allow consumers to do what they want. I mean really, if I'm not going to modify/hack my media, why would I want a $1500 multimedia PC (that will reguire a regular reboot everytime I load a DVD!) when a $40 DVD player can play all my video, audio and jpegs?
Pull your head out of your butt and serve the ones buying your product!

[Leria]

Very good points

Very good point. If Microsoft would tell Hollywood to stick it with their demands, they could make Hollywood give up on the idea of DRM FOREVER.
More regular people like you and me buy Microsoft Windows than Hollywood ever did. I am sure that it is about 100,000 to 1, in our favor. If WE as consumers start telling Microsoft that this kind of restriction is not acceptable, they will get the message and stop putting it in.

[vhac]

Bill Gates seems to forget

that we are his customer. If that is the case, then I'll keep my window 2k & xp & linux. When you have too much control, people will migrate to other os. Let the Movie Industry sleeps with Bill and pay him for it because he ain't getting my money!!

[vhac]

Bill Gates seems to forget

that we are his customer. If that is the case, then I'll keep my window 2k & xp & linux. When you have too much control, people will migrate to other os. Let the Movie Industry sleeps with Bill and pay him for it because he ain't getting my money!!

[vhac]

Bill Gates seems to forget

that we are his customer. If that is the case, then I'll keep my window 2k & xp & linux. When you have too much control, people will migrate to other os. Let the Movie Industry sleeps with Bill and pay him for it because he ain't getting my money!!

[vhac]

Bill Gates seems to forget

that we are his customer. If that is the case, then I'll keep my window 2k & xp & linux. When you have too much control, people will migrate to other os. Let the Movie Industry sleeps with Bill and pay him for it because he ain't getting my money!!

[Darryl Snortberry]

Thanks For The Heads Up C-Net

Thanks for the confirmation of what I had a hunch about. Now I know for sure not to get VISTA. I'll stick with XP and dabble around with Ubuntu Linux to better my understanding of the OS. What do I want with a computer I have no control over. If I wanted something controlled by Hollywood I'd buy another television, cable box, or DVD player. If only a few of the programs I used were developed on Linux I wouldn't give Microsoft a second thought. I could give a damn about Hollywood or music producers. I'm not about to buy a system that restricts me and give them the heads up without them putting up one red cent.

[bobby_brady]

My feelings are the exact same!

I'm NOT going to use an OS that Hollywood wants me to use. Screw Hollywood and screw Microsoft.

As a long time Microsoft user, this is the last straw.

[Darryl Snortberry]

Thanks For The Heads Up C-Net

Thanks for the confirmation of what I had a hunch about. Now I know for sure not to get VISTA. I'll stick with XP and dabble around with Ubuntu Linux to better my understanding of the OS. What do I want with a computer I have no control over. If I wanted something controlled by Hollywood I'd buy another television, cable box, or DVD player. If only a few of the programs I used were developed on Linux I wouldn't give Microsoft a second thought. I could give a damn about Hollywood or music producers. I'm not about to buy a system that restricts me and give them the heads up without them putting up one red cent.

[bobby_brady]

My feelings are the exact same!

I'm NOT going to use an OS that Hollywood wants me to use. Screw Hollywood and screw Microsoft.

As a long time Microsoft user, this is the last straw.

[Darryl Snortberry]

Thanks For The Heads Up C-Net

Thanks for the confirmation of what I had a hunch about. Now I know for sure not to get VISTA. I'll stick with XP and dabble around with Ubuntu Linux to better my understanding of the OS. What do I want with a computer I have no control over. If I wanted something controlled by Hollywood I'd buy another television, cable box, or DVD player. If only a few of the programs I used were developed on Linux I wouldn't give Microsoft a second thought. I could give a damn about Hollywood or music producers. I'm not about to buy a system that restricts me and give them the heads up without them putting up one red cent.

[bobby_brady]

My feelings are the exact same!

I'm NOT going to use an OS that Hollywood wants me to use. Screw Hollywood and screw Microsoft.

As a long time Microsoft user, this is the last straw.

[Darryl Snortberry]

Thanks For The Heads Up C-Net

Thanks for the confirmation of what I had a hunch about. Now I know for sure not to get VISTA. I'll stick with XP and dabble around with Ubuntu Linux to better my understanding of the OS. What do I want with a computer I have no control over. If I wanted something controlled by Hollywood I'd buy another television, cable box, or DVD player. If only a few of the programs I used were developed on Linux I wouldn't give Microsoft a second thought. I could give a damn about Hollywood or music producers. I'm not about to buy a system that restricts me and give them the heads up without them putting up one red cent.

[bobby_brady]

My feelings are the exact same!

I'm NOT going to use an OS that Hollywood wants me to use. Screw Hollywood and screw Microsoft.

As a long time Microsoft user, this is the last straw.