Tuesday, October 25th 2011
Controversial Windows 8 Secure Boot Feature: FSF Issues Rallying Cry
The controversial new Secure Boot feature in Windows 8 has been covered here before, but now the Free Software Foundation have issued a public statement warning about likely restrictive implementation to lock out competition, pretty similar to the arguments currently being levelled against it. They are also giving people a voice to protest against this, in the form of a petition. They say quite fairly, that it can be used for good, if the option to use it is completely with the owner of the computer. However, it isn't much of a stretch to see that the option to disable it is likely to simply be removed from the user, thus locking out the competition, mainly Linux: This could be a feature deserving of the name, as long as the user is able to authorize the programs she wants to use, so she can run free software written and modified by herself or people she trusts. However, we are concerned that Microsoft and hardware manufacturers will implement these boot restrictions in a way that will prevent users from booting anything other than Windows. In this case, we are better off calling the technology Restricted Boot, since such a requirement would be a disastrous restriction on computer users and not a security feature at all. Click here to see the full public statement and sign the petition and here for a more detailed explanation of the issue by the FSF.
49 Comments on Controversial Windows 8 Secure Boot Feature: FSF Issues Rallying Cry
(In otherwords away to beat the windows pirates)
M$ has explained pretty thoroughly the motivation behind their decision for a secure boot. I also applaud them for taking security seriously with Windows 8.
I think the FSF is really walking on thin ice here. Unless they can come up with some solid arguments, they're going to alienate a lot of people away from their cause.
I see what you did there ;)
Otherwise it's a potential cash grab.
Also:
blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2011/09/22/protecting-the-pre-os-environment-with-uefi.aspx
I am not a Linux supporter, I appreciate that there are those that are, but despite having to deal with Linux/Unix (HPUX) and even OSX in my PC background, I just am not a fan. Linux today might be a different story but even a couple of years ago it was still laggy, slow, not winHW friendly. Then again I though Vista was great except for a little network sharing issue I had, and had even WORSE problems with windows 7 and that new networking crap. Then again I had a legit copy and had been running it since 2004. (I should have never stopped beta testing)
However I am thankful those guys do exist that keep a watchful eye out. I wish I had the skill and tenacity. I am also hopeful that this is straightened out and is disabled by default so we do not have another shitstorm of non-issues.
it'll be hacked anyway.
Again to even implement that thought with Windows 8, is a step in the WRONG direction completely and fully.
It's just no fair @ all.
****How about If I had the position and power, I lock any of you out of anything, your not going back till your in my favor, no question's asked. :cool:
People see things in a light perspective honestly to the subject in hand, but in all fairness this world used to be small and things like this really did not get threw and the people expressed it and were listened to.
So even if a Walled Garden, or Blocking mechanism are implemented like this and expressed on a corporate/to-user level, its still personal no matter what. That's what people forget. TILL IT GETS so bad they will have unnecessary powers, almost reminds me of amazing U.S.ofA. Government.
Great to see some fight, Just hate the overall decisions light or huge that are being allocated in today's world. ^^That is why people are getting so FUCKING weak. Weak....