They probably cannot do this overnight ... well, technically they could, but it is unlikely. Still, they will push it until they get more and more control, you know with cloud and this "secure" boot until there will be no freedom, only control.

It's best to oppose it early, rather than find yourself a slave.

It is ludicrous that M$ wants to control a person's desktop and block other OSes from booting. I'm glad I'm not a sheep in M$'s herd.

Nice name man ;)

Thanks H_TeXMeX_H

That article add only this to the discussion:

I, for one, do NOT believe it, until I see it.

I don't use windows anymore, but I think that article might hold some water. Not only will people sue MS if they block other operating systems, but MS will look like villains in the computer industry. I don't think MS wants that kind of image.

MS might owned the OS on the computer, but the consumer owns the computer and they should put other OSes on them it they please.

Don't make me laugh MS. Of course MS cares. What were all those FUDD campaigns MS launched in the past and even today. MS is more afraid of linux than they were with Apple.

Hi,

@RedNeck-LQ
Unless you purchase the system without a OS you are standing on thin ice. Even then you had better know the hardware that is being purchased. You should read the EULA for M$ installed machines.

Sue Microsoft for your purchase of a appliance that doesn't suit you because it is locked. Judge will throw that out in a heart beat. You bought it, M$ did not force you. Purchase something else that allows the desired install or performance. That is if it can be found among new hardware. Trends are leading us to a closed system again. :(

More vendors are looking at special appliances: Google is one that comes to mind. Another is Apple.

Again buyer beware!

There was a good discussion about this on this week's TLLTS podcast (episode 421). It starts about 15 minutes in (I was on the road and unable to check the exact time on my podplayer). It may not be as ominous as it seems.

http://tllts.org/rsspage.php

@ onebuck

I don't read those EULAs or those agreements prior to installing a OS or software. They're always a mile long and in most cases they're not written in laymans's terms. But I do read between the lines as they say.

I believe in the age old adage. If I purchased it, it is mine to do whatever. That's just my personal opinion :)

Hi,

If it is commercial software and you are found to have violated that EULA then watch out. You might get away with doing it a few times but do it enough then someone is going to be knocking at the door. Piracy, cracking and hacking copyrighted programs can get you into trouble. Violating a license agreement that you agreed to by purchasing and using said software will get you into trouble as any other law that is broken.

You are missing my point. If you purchase the hardware then you had better know how and what can be done with it before you make that purchase. Select hardware that aligns with your believes. It is sad when the hardware is locked as most hardware is coming too. What are you going to purchase that suits your requirements of hardware with "If I purchased it, it is mine to do whatever."? Hardware hacks? Think not.

The field is getting thinner by the day to have hardware with open configuration that can be customized.

I agree with the spirit of what your saying but be sure to get your $$ worth by knowing if you can modify to suit. A few appliances that come to mind are; netbooks, tablets, Cel phones and even laptops that are locked to prevent a user to actually modify. Maybe polish in a controlled manner but still limited.

Heck, I come from the days when you could work on a car. Try that on new models. Without diagnostic tools and programs you are chasing your tail. Maybe change oil and other fluids but beyond that you are sunk.
That is what is coming for the computer industry. Back to locked system rooms that service us via whatever cloud or medium.

The masses are just wanting things to work and do it reliable at low cost. Hardware, Software & IT companies along with bean counters solution is to sell you the house but without a key to the front door.

After reading the article Microsoft could lock out Linux on Windows 8 PCs, but it won’t. I see it as a half glass full scenario.

For example, one member in the household is always the go to guy or gal and we have to constantly fix, remove viruses and malware and reinstall windows about 2,3 times a year from the family computer. There are viruses and malware that can boot as windows loads. If this UEFI chip does as it says, it can lesson the amount of stress we have fixing their computers from malware, viruses, or whatsoever. This is the first half glass look.

But do they listen. Noooo...

They will continue to open email attachments from the unknown and click on those pop-ups "HEY, You're Our One Millionth Visitor! Click here to clian your 1 million dollars!!!"

The second half is if M$ utilize this chip, they're just monopolizing their OS even more which I don't like.

Well, you should read them.

This adage does not apply to software. Software belongs to you only if you wrote it from scratch alone. Proprietary, Freeware AND OpenSource software does not belong to you - you get a right to use it as long as honor agreement. There are few exceptions, but they are extremely rare. You do not purchase software. I you purchase right to use it.

True, but I do buy the hardware, and they have no right to limit me to their OS on my hardware.

Umm... Are you sure about it? As I understand, it is a very tricky legal question.

As I understand it, when you buy hardware...

1. Physical hardware is yours, no question about it.
2. A design of hardware (circuitry, chip/microprocessor circuitry) may not be yours - it may be patented by manufacturers and may contain trade secrets.
3. Firmware and bios most likely are not yours - they are software products designed by somebody.
4. Hardware requires drivers that most likely do not belong to you (even on linux).

OS booting is related to #3.

Anyway, I do not think that MS would intentionally lock out OS on PC. Their intent is to get more money, and the easier way to do it would be to add extra bell/whistle to OS and generate ton of hype about it. (IMO) Locking out other operating systems does not guarantee profit, but will produce problems.