It's patented? Who knew.
Posted on 05/20/2009 8:55:14 AM PDT by Ernest_at_the_Beach
Microsoft just received a patent on restricting functionality of your PC by making selected portions and functions of the operating system unavailable to the user or his ability to add applications and drivers until they pay up.
A client computer runs an operating system that executes additional applications by loading them using an application loader and executes device drivers for peripheral devices by loading the drivers using a device loader. The operating system restricts the functionality of the operating system, such as by making selected portions and functionality of the operating system unavailable to the user or by limiting the user's ability to add software applications or device drivers to the computer. Additionally, various techniques can be used to remove or reduce the functionality limitations of the computer.
(Excerpt) Read more at hardocp.com ...
Why I’m still using 98SE...
United States Patent 7,536,726 -- Restricted software and hardware usage on a computer ***************************EXCERPT*****************************
A client computer runs an operating system that executes additional applications by loading them using an application loader and executes device drivers for peripheral devices by loading the drivers using a device loader. The operating system restricts the functionality of the operating system, such as by making selected portions and functionality of the operating system unavailable to the user or by limiting the user's ability to add software applications or device drivers to the computer. Additionally, various techniques can be used to remove or reduce the functionality limitations of the computer.
| Inventors: | Feinleib; David A. (Kirkland, WA), Gulledge; Carl L. (Redmond, WA), Haroun; Wassef (Seattle, WA), Kempin; Joachim (Bellevue, WA), Kolb; Kurt (Clyde Hill, WA), Moran; Brian K. (Issaquah, WA), Stubbs; Edward L. (Redmond, WA), Swed; Jacob D. (Seattle, WA) |
| Assignee: | Microsoft Corporation (Redmond, WA) |
| Appl. No.: | 11/266,451 |
| Filed: | November 3, 2005 |
I too, still have some 98SE running, but have largely moved to W2k.
It's patented? Who knew.
*sigh* I love my old Mac...
Sounds like the UAC, security made annoying so everybody turns it off in the first five minutes.
************************************EXCERPT*************************************
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to computers and operating systems. More particularly, the invention relates to restricting usage of software and hardware on a computer.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Computer technology is continually advancing, resulting in new computers that are more powerful and cheaper than their predecessors. Such advancement has had a significant affect on people, expanding the types of tasks people perform with their computers as well as increasing the number of people who use computers.
Many computers are currently manufactured with a general purpose "open architecture" operating system installed.
********************************WELL NOW...Who could that be?********************************
An open architecture operating system refers to an operating system that makes numerous functions available to the user and also allows the user to modify the computer by installing additional software programs on the computer that provide additional functionality to the user or by removing software programs from the computer. The operating system can make a wide variety of functionality available to the user, such as recreational or educational programs, reference programs, productivity programs (such as word processing or database functionality), communications programs, etc.
One problem inherent in open architecture systems is they are generally licensed with complete use rights and/or functionality that may be beyond the need or desire of the system purchaser. Consequentially, the purchase price of these systems being indifferent to usage scenarios means users with limited needs pay the same rate for these systems as those with universal needs.
An additional problem with open architecture systems is that virtually anyone can write an application that can be executed on the system. Some applications or devices may not operate properly due to a problem with the application or associated driver, yet many users associate such problems with the manufacturer of the system. Thus, it would be beneficial to provide a way for the manufacturer of the system to control the extensibility of the system.
ROFL!
But in that case the owner/ user of the PC sets up the root account....not microsoft.
I’ve gone OSS and ain’t looking back. My computer belongs to ME!
Restricting Functionality Of Your PC?
That’s what their browser is for, isn’t it?
Microstift
“Do be evil”
No a PC o/s should allow full access to all hardware and software. If it's a corporate computer or web server, limiting full access might make sense.
If one buys the hardware, one's software shouldn't limit what one can do. Where do you want to go today? Heck, let 0bama run your computer.
In other words, you steal it and it won’t work? How is this a problem?
It appears that if you buy a Media Center PC, this patent would allow MSFT to limit the applications to little more than recording TV, playing music and storing your DVD’s.
This ‘product class’ would be prohibited from non-Media Center functions, like running AutoCAD, Excel and others.
Now, if MSFT wants to market hamstrung OS’s, at reduced prices; that is their option. However, I fail to see the wisdom in this practice, as it opens the doors for class-action lawsuits.
bttt
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