[an0n]

He said: "From later this year, the encryption landscape is going to change with the release of Microsoft Vista."

The system uses BitLocker Drive Encryption through a chip called TPM (Trusted Platform Module) in the computer's motherboard.

It is partly aimed at preventing people from downloading unlicensed films or media.

"This means that by default your hard disk is encrypted by using a key that you cannot physically get at...

"An unfortunate side effect from law enforcement is it would be technically fairly seriously difficult to dig encrypted material out of the system if it has been set up competently."

Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but won't this mean a dedicated Vista-compatible motherboard is required to run Vista? One that's probably inherantly incompatible with Linux? And doesn't that constitute unfair business practices?

And won't it prevent you from switching hard-drives between computers?

[aldo_14]

He said: "From later this year, the encryption landscape is going to change with the release of Microsoft Vista."

The system uses BitLocker Drive Encryption through a chip called TPM (Trusted Platform Module) in the computer's motherboard.

It is partly aimed at preventing people from downloading unlicensed films or media.

"This means that by default your hard disk is encrypted by using a key that you cannot physically get at...

"An unfortunate side effect from law enforcement is it would be technically fairly seriously difficult to dig encrypted material out of the system if it has been set up competently."

Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but won't this mean a dedicated Vista-compatible motherboard is required to run Vista? One that's probably inherantly incompatible with Linux? And doesn't that constitute unfair business practices?

And won't it prevent you from switching hard-drives between computers?

Probably yes, yes, yes and yes.

I remember MS talking for a while about getting BIOS manufacturers to load parts of the windows kernel in the bootstrap motherboard code - it's like an unholy cancer of bloatware, spreading off the hard disk and infecting other parts of the PC.

[Flipside]

So, if I'm reading this correctly, this system is going to start screwing around with your hard drive in such a way that, not only can you not swap drives, but if you get a glitch in your boot sector, or want to try and fix a corrupted sector, you are going to be faced with a terminally uphill task?

Not only that, but this added encryption is going to slow down disc access times, which is already one of the major stumbling blocks to computer speed, AND require a Vista MBoard.

Way to destroy a product before it's even released!

[FireCrack]

I cant see any reason to "upgrade"

[vyper]

This is insanity.

[Turambar]

dammit, those damn trusted computing bastards
why wont they realize that maybe, its just wrong to try and control what each and every individual person can do with their computer. i hate them all

i will never, not for any reason, use vista if it requires me to have one of those evil chips on my motherboard

[BlackDove]

Nobody will use Vista if that's implemented.

[Col. Fishguts]

Can it figure out if a mp3 is pirated or a legit backup copy of a CD ?

If Vista won't play pirated music and movies, MS will lose a good share of Windows users (not that that's a bad thing)

[Grug]

I foresee a lot of contraversy over the fact that it is going to literally become a seperate Microsoft 'happy' world and then the rest of the world.

I shall stick with AMD and XP if that's the case, maybe even goto linux one day. It may well end up forcing developers to make a Vista version, and then a real world version.

To me, its just another plot to force individuals to buy Microsoft only products.

[Prophet]

What a surprise that Microsoft(The 'Soft is mother, the 'Soft is father. Obey the 'Soft) is yet scheming something evil thats only purpose is the increase the wealth and control of Microsoft(Trust the 'Soft).

It is partly aimed at preventing people from downloading unlicensed films or media.

I wonder who is going to decide whats proper media for us to watch, or "licensed" as they(The 'Soft is your friend) put it...

[an0n]

And note that it says 'unlicensed' and not 'illegal'.

Meaning they're probably gonna try and force everyone to pay MS for license registration.

[Flipside]

I've never figured out why they call it 'Trusted Computing', the one element of it all that appears to be missing is 'Trust'.

[Grug]

The tides of darkness approach once more...

I can just picture files growing in size because of all the security crap attached to them.

[Martinus]

It's worth noting that AMD is backing the whole palladium-esque hardware revolution.

In a world where piracy is outlawed only outlaws can be pirates... or something.

[aldo_14]

Nobody will use Vista if that's implemented.

All the idiots buying their Pcs from Dell, Pc World, Dixons, etc will, because they'll get it preloaded and not know any better.

[Col. Fishguts]

Yup, plus all the PCs standing around in offices will be delivered with Vista, when it comes out.

[Martinus]

All the idiots buying their Pcs from Dell, Pc World, Dixons, etc will, because they'll get it preloaded and not know any better.

Meanwhile all us techy types will be unwilling or unable to help them because we'll be using unhindered hardware.

No more tech support for idiots! I'm free!

*runs around the garden naked*

[CP5670]

I think this may actually be related to HDCP given the reference to "films or media." It apparently needs a fully secure path through every computer component. It was recently learned that no current retail video cards are actually HDCP enabled, despite what the manufacturers have claimed for years now.

Anyway, I won't be bothering with Vista for a while.  I have the corporate mentality when it comes to OS upgrades (didn't switch to XP until a few months after SP1 had come out) and have no particular desire to play Halo 2 or watch movies.

[ZmaN]

Vista sucks...  Halo 2 sucks....  MS Sucks...

They are so rich already..  Why do they need more money?  Greedy idiots....

[Unknown Target]

an0n, do you have a link to this article? I'd like to show it to some people I know.