I don't see a problem with this. It is Microsoft's business decision, and it opens up an opportunity for competition from Linux and Apple to erode Microsoft's dominance in the consumer and small business markets.
> I don't see a problem with this.
Since MS didn't even minimally explain the risks and ask
for permission to install this code, they are arguably
afoul of several anti-hacking if not cyberterrorism laws.
Consider the outcome if some random web side had done it.
> It is Microsoft's business decision ...
And is one of the reasons why Windows 2000 was the last
MS OS I will ever buy. Even XP was unacceptable. Vista
is beyond the pale.
> ... and it opens up an opportunity for competition from
> Linux and Apple to erode Microsoft's dominance in the
> consumer and small business markets.
Absolutely. We can only thank Mr.Bill for being so stupid
as to pull a Sony-like stunt.
MS seems to be panicked, and focusing on supposed
piracy is not the solution. The truth about copied
software is that if you could prevent the bogus copies
from running, it would not turn any significant number
of those parasitic users into paying users. Most would
either go elsewhere or do without.
DRM just outrages the honest customers, and
raises everyone's support costs.
Well, this article is ridiculous anyway.
For instance, when FR bans accounts, what piece of information do you think they capture in order to do so? You think FR doesn't track IP addresses? A lot of commerce web sites track IP addresses also.
The idea that tracking IP addresses is nefarious and underhanded is ludicrous.
Wait until they come out with IE7, it is the worst piece of software yet from them as they allow practically zero customization to the browser. You're going to see new users of Firefox and Opera explode.