[ale] Fwd: [FSF] Enter the Restricted Boot Webcomic Contest: Defend user freedom on tablets and smartphones

Thu Mar 1 10:56:42 EST 2012

Microsoft is a bit different than the other two both in business form and
function.

Apple makes their stuff (under contract, OK) and has top to bottom control
of what gets their code loaded onto it. I agree that hardware owners should
be able to do with their stuff as they please but Apple isn't trying to
push their restriction on the entirety of chip makers that their products
use.

Google makes a software platform and hardware makers add/remove bits to
suit their greeds on the android devices they sell. Google is not forcing
users to 'use this code or die' but plenty of the hardware makers and phone
vendors are trying to do just that. (Kudos to HTC who is making all their
phone rootable).

Microsoft is trying to force ALL ARM products to comply with Microsoft
trusted boot version whether the product was designed to run android, iOS
or win8.
 It's a push to beat back android and apple and it puts Linux users in the
middle of the crossfire.

On Thu, Mar 1, 2012 at 10:18 AM, Cameron Kilgore <ghostfreeman at gmail.com>wrote:

> Microsoft's just following the plan that Apple and Google are following
> with iOS and Android. Why only take the fight to Microsoft?
>
> --Cameron
> <http://ghostfreeman.net>
>
>
> On Thu, Mar 1, 2012 at 9:58 AM, Charles Shapiro <hooterpincher at gmail.com>wrote:
>
>> Interesting.  This has been percolating out  for a whiles.  What it
>> means is that desktop linux users are pretty ok for now, but your
>> chances of taking control of a whole class of other devices ( such as
>> your tablet, cell phone or netbook ) just went down.
>>
>> What Microsoft really wants to do, I suspect, is to create two tiers
>> of users -- desktop guys who are professionals and must be catered to,
>> and ARM-based users, who are just tubes that consume content and
>> squirt out money.  A great plan for them. Maybe not so good for the
>> rest of us.
>>
>> -- CHS
>>
>> ---------- Forwarded message ----------
>> From: Free Software Foundation <info at fsf.org>
>> Date: Wed, Feb 29, 2012 at 5:24 PM
>> Subject: [FSF] Enter the Restricted Boot Webcomic Contest: Defend user
>> freedom on tablets and smartphones
>> To: Charles Shapiro <hooterpincher at gmail.com>
>>
>>
>> In December, Microsoft apparently conceded to public pressure by
>> quietly updating the Windows 8 logo certification requirements with a
>> mandate that a desktop computer user must be able to control (and
>> disable) the Secure Boot feature on any Windows 8 computer that is not
>> based on ARM technology. This looks like a victory for free software
>> users, as it will allow a person to install GNU/Linux or other free
>> software operating system in place of Windows 8.
>>
>> But, this is no time for celebration, because Microsoft has also added
>> a treacherous mandate for makers of ARM-based computers — such as a
>> tablets, netbooks, and smartphones — requiring them to build their
>> machines with Restricted Boot technology. Such computers are designed
>> to lock a user into only being able to run Windows 8, absolutely
>> preventing her from being able to install a free software operating
>> system on her computer. Since smartphones and tablets are some of the
>> most commonly used computers, it's vital that we get straightforward
>> and clear information about this threat out to the public.
>>
>> Already know what this is about? Then take action now:
>>
>> Raise awareness and have fun while putting pressure on Microsoft and
>> computer makers by entering the Restricted Boot Webcomic Contest.
>>
>> Winning submissions will be featured on the front page of fsf.org for a
>> month.
>> Entries must be submitted by March 17th by emailing campaigns at fsf.org.
>>
>> Sign the statement "Stand up for your freedom to install free software."
>>
>> For individuals
>> For organizations and corporations
>>
>> If this is the first you're hearing about this whole Restricted Boot
>> vs. Secure Boot business, read the full story.
>>
>> You can support this campaign and the rest of the FSF's work by
>> joining as a member or making a donation today.
>>
>> Sincerely,
>>
>> Josh, John, Matt, and Richard
>> Free Software Foundation
>>
>>
>> --
>> Follow us on identi.ca at http://identi.ca/fsf | Subscribe to our
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>> Join us as an associate member at http://fsf.org/jf
>>
>> Sent from the Free Software Foundation,
>>
>> 51 Franklin Street
>> Fifth Floor
>> Boston, MA 02110-1335
>> United States
>>
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-- 
-- 
James P. Kinney III

As long as the general population is passive, apathetic, diverted to
consumerism or hatred of the vulnerable, then the powerful can do as they
please, and those who survive will be left to contemplate the outcome.
- *2011 Noam Chomsky

http://heretothereideas.blogspot.com/
*
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