Windows 7 Under Fire for ‘Treacherous Computing’

Terry Olaes

Terry Olaes

I Used to be the [H] News Guy
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The Free Software Foundation has condemned Microsoft’s Windows 7 for “treacherous computing” that quietly takes away user rights. FSF has launched a campaign to educate people and even has a site that lists the seven sins of Windows 7. To be fair, FSF makes these complaints against any proprietary software but they’re targeting W7 in this particular instance.

The group, best-known for overseeing the General Public License (GPL) used by most open-source software, including Linux , will hold a rally at noon in Boston Common, where it will unveil a 12-foot-tall art installation depicting Windows 7 "being trashed," Brown said.
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Interesting ....

The group is also sending a letter (available at the group's Web site) to top executives at Fortune 500 companies that argues their companies would benefit ethically, technically and, in the long-term, financially, from switching away from Windows and Microsoft Office to free alternatives such as Linux and OpenOffice.org.
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Stallman really is a nut job, I will never forget him wrapping his event pass in tin foil because it had an rfid chip in it, and he was convinced they were using it to keep track of where he was. lol
 
The world has voted. People simply don't WANT Linux on the desktop. So now the FSF is telling us that users don't know what's best for them? This is ultra liberal crap.

Looking forward Windows 7 kicking ass and taking no prisoners.
 
These people just are igonorant. Do they even use Windows? No, obviosuly not.

""Windows, for some time now, has really been a DRM platform, restricting you from making copies of digital files," said executive director Peter Brown. "

This is nothing to do with Windows per se. Its the DRM that's in the FILES themselves. Plus, if he were a Windows user he would know just HOW powerful the Windows platform and its tools are are DESTROYING DRM. They won't mention the fact that useing Windows I can rip a Blu-Ray disc, and then play the movie on a Linux machine, something that cannot be achieved easily in Linux, nothing like AnyDVD on that platform.

I just hate the flat out lies and mispresentations of these groups. They are KILLING desktop Linux with their lies and agenda, far more than Microsoft.

People just want an OS, not a freeking poitical philosophy.
 
It is readily apparent that they're a crack-team of partially educated open-source fans. There's definitely an ego about them, too. If you take a look at the website, item #6 (Enforcing DRM) is blatantly wrong. Yes, WMP can block you from recording shows from NBC. The kicker here is their website claims users have the legal write to record them. As all football and Family Guy fans know, you must have express written permission to record shows off television. The same does go for pretty much all media types, or the "I owned the CD but it got scratched and now its unplayable so I downloaded it instead" argument would work really well in court against the RIAA.

The other REALLY good point I saw (sarcasm of course) is that systems you buy from HP or Dell that have something other than Windows pre-installed "had Windows pre-installed first." They, in fact, do not. There are lots of projected numbers that are being made on a monthly basis for sure, but it only takes about 2 minutes to flash an Acronis image of a base OS install to a HDD.

Take a look at the other "Windows7 deadly sins." Sure, seemingly good points, but I find a couple of them outdated and overall its just a bunch of whining.

I use linux at work every single day, and I use Windows at home to game.
 
Gotta love some of the comments:
1) I am really REALLY tired of Microsoft lockdowns, tracking, and hostage of my hardware.

2) I'm still using XP, and I'll probably keep using XP until Microsoft issues a kill update. Lets be honest. We all know it's coming. When that happens, I'll gladly "waste" my time with Linux. It may not be a perfect consumer product, but it sure beats being an indentured servant to unscrupulous monopolies.

3) Companies like Microsoft that do not benefit the needs, wants and freedoms of the common person, companies that elevate themselves into a high almighty position, not earning themselves that position but buying and cut throating their way to top position will ultimately fall and fail. Microsoft will fall and fail.
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:p
 
Half of his list is complete bullshit and the other is smart business on MS's part

Here is what I find as complete bullshit :

1. Poisoning education: Today, most children whose education involves computers are being taught to use one company's product: Microsoft's. Microsoft spends large sums on lobbyists and marketing to corrupt educational departments. An education using the power of computers should be a means to freedom and empowerment, not an avenue for one corporation to instill its monopoly.


This one doesn't even make any sense

2. Invading privacy: Microsoft uses software with backward names like Windows Genuine Advantage to inspect the contents of users' hard drives. The licensing agreement users are required to accept before using Windows warns that Microsoft claims the right to do this without warning.

I don't like drm or anything, but verifying windows is not intrusive at all. Win 7 gives you 120 days to use without activaton, and I think you could still use it for short periods without activating it after that time

3. Monopoly behavior: Nearly every computer purchased has Windows pre-installed -- but not by choice. Microsoft dictates requirements to hardware vendors, who will not offer PCs without Windows installed on them, despite many people asking for them. Even computers available with other operating systems like GNU/Linux pre-installed often had Windows on them first.

Then build your own then, most people who buy them pre built want something they can plug and play. And if you really don't want windows most OEMs let you build without

4. Lock-in: Microsoft regularly attempts to force updates on its users, by removing support for older versions of Windows and Office, and by inflating hardware requirements. For many people, this means having to throw away working computers just because they don't meet the unnecessary requirements for the new Windows versions.


More bullshit. I have no problem running stuff all the way back as xp/office 97. You really wouldn't want anything older than that, but they have an over 10 years of support for just about every product.

5. Abusing standards: Microsoft has attempted to block free standardization of document formats, because standards like OpenDocument Format would threaten the control they have now over users via proprietary Word formats. They have engaged in underhanded behavior, including bribing officials, in an attempt to stop such efforts.

How about we make some more fantastic claims without proof or evidence. Even if they did, office has such a large user base it would still be the standard.


6. Enforcing Digital Restrictions Management (DRM): With Windows Media Player, Microsoft works in collusion with the big media companies to build restrictions on copying and playing media into their operating system. For example, at the request of NBC, Microsoft was able to prevent Windows users from recording television shows that they have the legal right to record.

I've never had any problem with DRM. They don't force drm on the stuff I have, and they don't force me to use stuff that has DRM. MS can only prevent users from recording a show if they use media center, if they don't like it, use different software, you are not forced to use media center.

7. Threatening user security: Windows has a long history of security vulnerabilities, enabling the spread of viruses and allowing remote users to take over people's computers for use in spam-sending botnets. Because the software is secret, all users are dependent on Microsoft to fix these problems -- but Microsoft has its own security interests at heart, not those of its users.

That's what happens when you have 90% +/- of the freakin market share. I've been using computers all my life and never got a virus through prudent use. Microsoft has been very good, especially as of late with including a firewall and constant updates to prevent vulnerabilites. It's own sercurity interests are its customers, otherwise people wouldn't but it, so wtf
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My oppinion is this guy is a linux fanboy crybaby without a leg to stand on. I use all 3 major OS invironments and really don't have a problem with any. His arguments are just stupid.
 
It's odd that when Apple does some of this same stuff, people hail it as innovation - and continue drinking the kool-aid...
 
Phew good thing we have various choices when it comes to operating systems and programs.

It's always funny how these blog people want to be the dictators of the computer world, telling all the companies how they should run themselves.

wahhhhhh your operating system comes with a program I don't want.. wahhhhhhh

Fucking pussies.
 
These arguments are laughable at best, imho.

These people almost sound like a penguin-worshipping cult. Tux needs to divorce himself from these lunatics.

Linux is very far behind windows in terms of easy usability and compatibility with software. Until everyone starts writing software for Linux, for most businesses it will never buy a viable alternative.

I like Linux and I certainly believe that it has its uses.. it powers my Ion based media center that is hooked to my television and does a great job with it. However, I've had more small issues with that box in the 2-3 months that I've had it than I have with my Windows 7 machine all year.

The way I look at it, is that unless you are tech saavy and like to tinker with your machine, Linux, for the most part, should be avoided. I could see it being used as a Kiosk internet access machine to keep people from ruining it by going to naughty websites, but for most companies I just don't see the point.
 
Andrmgic said:
These arguments are laughable at best, imho.

These people almost sound like a penguin-worshipping cult. Tux needs to divorce himself from these lunatics.

Linux is very far behind windows in terms of easy usability and compatibility with software. Until everyone starts writing software for Linux, for most businesses it will never be a viable alternative.

I like Linux and I certainly believe that it has its uses.. it powers my Ion based media center that is hooked to my television and does a great job with it. However, I've had more small issues with that box in the 2-3 months that I've had it than I have with my Windows 7 machine all year.

The way I look at it, is that unless you are tech saavy and like to tinker with your machine, Linux, for the most part, should be avoided. I could see it being used as a Kiosk internet access machine to keep people from ruining it by going to naughty websites, but for most companies I just don't see the point.
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Fixed.. damn the lack of an edit button.
 
Wow.. Thats some major crying to get some attention. Sounds like he is a major fanboi of open source.

While open source is nice to have, there is no reason to start kicking and crying over an OS.
 
I have to give them two things here that will allways insure that I run linux as a seconded OS

1. WGA sucks ass and has sense they started using. It has to be the biggest example of failed DRM I have ever seen. it does NOTHING to prevent people from pirating the OS, but id DOES generate a shit load of headaches for the legitimate users. Hell, I have cracked it before simply because it was easier to do so then to jump through the MS hoops

2. enforcing DRM for the special interest. Lets face it that is not to our benefit and does nothing to prevent piracy either. it does make for a lot of headaches though. and it just is not their damn job
 
Valset said:
I have to give them two things here that will allways insure that I run linux as a seconded OS

1. WGA sucks ass and has sense they started using. It has to be the biggest example of failed DRM I have ever seen. it does NOTHING to prevent people from pirating the OS, but id DOES generate a shit load of headaches for the legitimate users. Hell, I have cracked it before simply because it was easier to do so then to jump through the MS hoops
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What headaches?
2. enforcing DRM for the special interest. Lets face it that is not to our benefit and does nothing to prevent piracy either. it does make for a lot of headaches though. and it just is not their damn job
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Either they provide the mechanisms to protect said content or they don't get the ability to play it at all.
 
Just goes to show how great Windows 7 really is, they are scared that it will increase the evermore presence of windows in business's and homes :D.
 
Why do people who know about technology still not understand the place that Windows 7 serves in the Blu-ray world? If you don't like that particular DRM, go after Sony, the ones who created it and require all levels of the video path, including the OS, to use it.
 
rflcptr said:
What headaches?

Either they provide the mechanisms to protect said content or they don't get the ability to play it at all.
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If you have ever had to work with WGA on a larger scale you would not have to ask. but it is neither genuine or an advantage. go google the issue.

Thats fine. but keep it in the player not the os. and DRM does not actually prevent people from playing what they want, again it only affects people that don't know better or try and play by the rules.

don't get me wrong, I have 3 copies of win 7 pre ordered. but just because they have finally got vista right doesn't mean that they still aren't severing interest that are not in their customers best interest.
 
These linux yahoos need to get their heads out of their asses. Wild claims and sensationalist propaganda (and some downright lies, too) won't get them anywhere. It just makes them look like blithering idiots.

I use linux every day at the office, and most days at home. It is not suitable to the mass market as a desktop environment, plain and simple.
 
blah blah blah blah "Closed source software is inherently unethical" blah blah blah.

Even Linus thinks these guys are a bunch of nutjobs. If you want to have a laugh, read the GNU FAQs.
 
bacon said:
Stallman really is a nut job, I will never forget him wrapping his event pass in tin foil because it had an rfid chip in it, and he was convinced they were using it to keep track of where he was. lol
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SO what is wrong with a little bit of protective thinking? I wouldn't like the rfid chip either unless I broke it down and knew what every piece of it did and how the software worked. So some prudence is necessary.

heatlesssun said:
These people just are igonorant. Do they even use Windows? No, obviosuly not.

""Windows, for some time now, has really been a DRM platform, restricting you from making copies of digital files," said executive director Peter Brown. "

This is nothing to do with Windows per se. Its the DRM that's in the FILES themselves. Plus, if he were a Windows user he would know just HOW powerful the Windows platform and its tools are are DESTROYING DRM. They won't mention the fact that useing Windows I can rip a Blu-Ray disc, and then play the movie on a Linux machine, something that cannot be achieved easily in Linux, nothing like AnyDVD on that platform.

I just hate the flat out lies and mispresentations of these groups. They are KILLING desktop Linux with their lies and agenda, far more than Microsoft.

People just want an OS, not a freeking poitical philosophy.
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Amen brother... amen.

trick_m0nkey said:
Lol. I love my Windows 7.
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So do I. I was expecting Gui crap with slower performance and I also expected to run into issues with my hardware and 64bit. Nope. I took a huge leap and used the Beta as my main machine and It has performed far beyond my expectations. I don't even like XP anymore, its just getting to that point where I'm like dammit, I can only do that in 7. Window management being the biggest thing. Plus those folder jump-lists are Win.
 
Valset said:
If you have ever had to work with WGA on a larger scale you would not have to ask. but it is neither genuine or an advantage. go google the issue.

Thats fine. but keep it in the player not the os. and DRM does not actually prevent people from playing what they want, again it only affects people that don't know better or try and play by the rules.

don't get me wrong, I have 3 copies of win 7 pre ordered. but just because they have finally got vista right doesn't mean that they still aren't severing interest that are not in their customers best interest.
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And Linux serves its customers by not ANY way to deal with DRM other than cracking it?

As far as WGA remember this goes two ways. People do sell cracked copies of Windows. Microsoft needs some method to control that. Plus if you got Windows pre-installed, WGA isn't really much of an issue as pre-installed copies are already activated.
 
gtg465x said:
No, we're just not Microsoft haters. Microsoft makes some good products, Windows 7 being one of them, so there's no need to hate on them.
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MS does make some good things, but I don't think Windows 7 is very good. It's an abomination straight from the box, just as XP and Vista are.

Perhaps Microsoft got their own Reality Distortion Field.
 
ChairmanMiau said:
MS does make some good things, but I don't think Windows 7 is very good. It's an abomination straight from the box, just as XP and Vista are.

Perhaps Microsoft got their own Reality Distortion Field.
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And if you don't think Windows 7 isn't good then you're in a tiny minority. I think Windows 7 overall is simply the best OS Microsoft has ever put together and has a lot going for it. Windows support is second to none. Windows apps library is second to none. Windows 7 specifically has pen and touch interfaces that don't exisit on any other platform ATM.

And of course there are the standard Windows issues, security, stability, that sort of thing but of good hardware and simple security practices alliviate those issues almost entirely.

Windows 7 is simply one of the finest desktop OS'es EVER even with its issues.
 
ChairmanMiau said:
MS does make some good things, but I don't think Windows 7 is very good. It's an abomination straight from the box, just as XP and Vista are.

Perhaps Microsoft got their own Reality Distortion Field.
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WHAT in the WORLD are you talking about?
If you don't consider win7 to be a good MS product, what is?
 
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