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Next-Generation Secure Computing Base (NGSCB) aka 'Palladium'

After being IM’d about the world coming to an end as we know it and Microsoft being big-brother ruling the world. According to rumors, Palladium will allow Microsoft to come into your machine and delete un-approved software. They would have complete control over your machine. Thus Longhorn is not a good option for moving forward. Linux is the answer against Palladium. Blah, blah, blah.

OK, so I heard of Palladium a while back (which has now been renamed some ridiculously long term, but it’s easier to call it Palladium ;-)). It amazes me how blown out of proportion this is. On top of that, the rumors have not only distorted the truth… but are also founded on what if’s.

Come on people. How about reading some of the official material provided my Microsoft. You have the Microsoft Palladium: A Business Overview, Microsoft Next-Generation Securing Computing Base - Technical FAQ, and Q&A: Microsoft Seeks Industry-Wide Collaboration for ‘Palladium’ Initiative just to name a few.

I for one am all for this initiative. Of course, if it were to do some of what the rumors state, then sure, I’d be a little ticked off and would be as angry as the next guy. However, none of these rumors appear to be true. From what I can tell, they are completely unfounded. Also, Microsoft is not a stupid company. Sure, it’s made a few mistakes here and there, but who hasn’t. In the long run, Microsoft has been extremely smart and very customer driven. In some cases, being customer driven has caused them to hit a few pitfalls and create some very disjointed API’s, but overall, I see this as a plus. If Palladium was what the anti-Microsoft community stated, it would make it so that Longhorn wouldn’t be marketable. There is no what if’s about it.

Read some of the links provided if you have any misconceptions of what Palladium is and is not.

On a side note concerning DRM initiatives. If I purchase something in electronic format (software, books, music, video, etc.) and it’s protected in some way (DRM’d). I should have the ability to transfer that right to someone else, thus no longer allowing me to use. Just as if I sold my old copy of Quake III to a friend if it was physically on a CD, I should be able to do the same thing with digital content.

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