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18 Dec 2006
The Free Software Foundation (FSF) has kicked off a campaign that aims to steer consumers and businesses away from Microsoft's Windows Vista operating system.
The Bad Vista campaign plans to stage "unusual actions" to draw attention to the limited freedom that Vista provides to users.
"Vista is an upsell masquerading as an upgrade. It is an overall regression when you look at the most important aspect of owning and using a computer: your control over what it does," said John Sullivann, programme director for the FSF.
"Obviously Windows is already proprietary and very restrictive, and well worth rejecting. But the new 'features' in Vista are a Trojan horse to smuggle in even more restrictions.
"We will be focusing attention on detailing how they work, how to resist them and why people should care."
FSF executive director Peter Brown added that the campaign aims to "release users from Microsoft's grip".
The FSF is an advocacy group that promotes the free flow of information. The organisation is headed up by Richard Stallman who authored the General Public Licence.
The group is known for its orthodox views on free (as in freedom) software, which set it apart from elements within the open source community which prefers to build a bridge between open source and proprietary software.
The FSF campaign will focus on the Trusted Computing technology built into Windows Vista. The standard is highly controversial with privacy advocates because it can be used to restrict what documents and information a user can access.
Trusted Computing relies on a special security chip dubbed the Trusted Platform Module. Vista uses the chip for a Secure Startup feature that offers to encrypt the contents of a hard drive to prevent data loss if a notebook is lost or stolen.
The chip is optional, but is increasingly implemented in business computers and notebooks.
The FSF has already staged protests against the digital rights management in Windows Vista.
The Defective by Design campaign started at the Windows Hardware Engineering Conference in Seattle last May, where protesters wearing hazardous material suits warned delegates about the technology.
Microsoft was not able to comment on the FSF campaign, as a large part of its corporate campus in the Seattle area was closed down after a severe storm knocked out power in the area.
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Do you agree?
Microsoft is pushing me more toward Linux, or just switching to Mac OS
The only reasons I've not done so already are compatibility related. I understand the latest Mac OS has or may have a way to emulate a PC to use Microsoft compatable software.
Posted by: Bruce 07 Jan 2007
FSF stating the obvious
They don't need to waste time telling folks, word will get around when folks at home can't use their computer for the things they want to without having to call the "geek squad".
Posted by: John Q Public 18 Dec 2006
Get a Grip - and the facts straight
Firstly, I'd like to say outright that the FSF and the EFF have their places. Without some form of watchdogs, we would have less protection against privacy invasion and defective processes that falsely make security claims. That said, I also have no time for fanaticism either. Simple fact of the matter is that DRM is here - right or wrong - and regardless of however many problems it causes, we have to live with it as long as artists and the record labels treat consumers as potential thieves - a view that is not entirely unjustified. There is no clean neat solution to DRM, or even cryptochips as are being embedded in laptops and whatnot. The simple fact of the matter is that if such things bother you, you don't HAVE to use Windows or anything else that incorporates DRM and other similar technology. Linux and open source in general made sure of that. Linux will run your computer just as well as Windows can. As for so many comments about innovation and stifling it - as any programmer can tell you - there have been very few actual innovations in the last 10-15 years. Most of these "new" innovations are the results of products or research that has already been available - just repackaged in a new wrapper. Example: Consumers went ga-ga over 64 bit chips in the last 3-5 years. Big deal. Those of us who know were using 64 bit chips 10-15 years ago. Fact is most of the "facts" in these kinds of articles are just sensational hyperbole.
Posted by: T.J. Duchene 18 Dec 2006
Software the real problem
I think in many ways Microsoft has helped the PC user greatly. Their software, however they came to own it, work well considering its complexity. As a now programming type I appreciate degree of difficulty and often express the sentiment "I am surprized it works at all, less surprized that it breaks down occasionally. My greatest disagreement with software is the licencing. The fact that I buy a licence for a specific computer and I am not supposed to transfer it to a new computer, even though the old one has been scrapped or traded in, minus a hard drive is ridiculous. It is easy enough to check my user credentials with appropriate security questions. So software companies are OK about it but some, like AutoDesk are trying to squeeze the single licence holders, who like myself may be retired and using it for mind work. I think that licences should be the property of the purchaser. I will not be buying Vista whatever its pros or cons. It has taken me years to get Windows 9X and Millenium and now XP working with minimal disruption. I will leave the 'must haves' to struggle with the problems of Vista. My annoyance with MS Corp is that they keep telling me my XP BLUE SCREEN problem will be fixed by a patch in Vista, whatever that means.
Posted by: Stephen Mark 18 Dec 2006
The FSF is nuts...
Maybe it would be good for the FSF to once study the aspects of Trusted Computing before continuing to spread FUD about this technology that will ultimnately protect the identity of people like you and me. The notion that Microsoft is the "inventor" of Trusted Computing is proof that the FSF does not know what they are talking about.
Posted by: Andreas W. Kuhn 18 Dec 2006
The FSF is plain wrong...
As a matter of fact I am convinced that it is also because of organisations like the FSF and EFF that Trusted Computing has been delayed and that really they should take at least some blame that the security situation is still as bad as it is today... The FSF and EFF constantly hammer about DRM. While Trusted Computing could be used to enforce DRM policies - it is the only way to get the security mess under control. But to see that these organisations should learn about Trusted Computing instead of spreading false and misleading thoughts...
Posted by: Andreas W. Kuhn 18 Dec 2006
Part 15 of the FCC
If only Part 15 of the FCC applied to software... DRM et al would've simply never have been a problem. Here it is quoted in full: Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) This device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. If all hardware must adhere to these two simple rules, why does software get away with the exact opposite? After all, you wouldn't hear of your mouse or keyboard refusing to work because you've attempted to play a song in MP3 format ripped off an audio CD that belongs to you. Why then, can software in general and Microsoft in particular, get away with imposing such restrictions?
Posted by: G Fernandes 18 Dec 2006
bashing Microsoft is an old trend
Microsoft has cleaned up its act since the monopoly accusations. I see no reason for this continued attack on the company. If the FSF is so concerned about DRM why don´t they go after Apple´s Ipod 'Ecosystem'? Utter nonsense to go after Vista like that. People seem to forget that Microsoft paved the way for a lot of new technologies. As an IT professional I much rather have standards than loose screws all over, damaging my system and exposing critical information. I love Red Hat, OS X, XP and I´m sure I will love Vista. People talk about Microsoft putting the brakes on innovation, but I believe it´s quite the opposite: it´s elitist users (mac fanboys for example) that stop innovation. Every OS out there has new things to offer, and all of them learn lessons from each other.
Posted by: Paulo Custodio 18 Dec 2006
I love these responces :)
No self respecting Linux user would ever defend Microsoft in a way that was done above & personally i think we should have started a anti Microsoft campaign long ago i applaud the FSF.
Posted by: Steve Starr 18 Dec 2006