Become a fan of Slashdot on Facebook

 



Forgot your password?
typodupeerror
×
Windows

Submission + - New DRM technologies setting up Vista for failure?

PetManimal writes: "Computerworld has picked apart the way Vista handles DRM in terms of hardware and software restrictions. Trusted Platform Module, Output Protection Management, Protected Video Path and various Windows Media software components are designed to "protect" copyrighted content against security breaches and unauthorized use. The article notes that many of the DRM technologies were forced upon Vista by the entertainment industry, but that may not garner Microsoft or Hollywood any sympathy with consumers: 'Matt Rosoff, lead analyst at research firm Directions On Microsoft, asserts that this process does not bode well for new content formats such as Blu-ray and HD-DVD, neither of which are likely to survive their association with DRM technology. "I could not be more skeptical about the viability of the DRM included with Vista, from either a technical or a business standpoint," Rosoff stated. "It's so consumer-unfriendly that I think it's bound to fail — and when it fails, it will sink whatever new formats content owners are trying to impose."'"
Operating Systems

Submission + - DELL paid U.K user to uninstall Windows XP

hmart writes: "As seen on BBC News, CNET News: Dave Mitchell an U.K programmer and Linux user has won a refund from Dell for not installing Windows XP on a laptop he bought. From the article: "He encouraged other people to try to get a refund and wondered if Dell's policy on which operating systems it offered on laptops would change if enough people tried.""
Patents

Submission + - Caritas defeated in attempt to patent VOIP

Grv writes: A patent infringement suit that could have meant bad news for Voice over IP has failed. Ars reports that Judge David Folsom called Caritas' attempt to claim a patent on VOIP "aburd," leaving Comcast victorious in the suit. An appeal is planned, however. From the article, "The patent in question, no. 6,661,779, describes a "dial up telephone conferencing system controlled by an online computer network." At first glance, the patent doesn't look at all relevant to VoIP. However, Caritas said that the patent could be interpreted to cover any call that travels over the Internet via VoIP."

Slashdot Top Deals

Work without a vision is slavery, Vision without work is a pipe dream, But vision with work is the hope of the world.

Working...