http://quux.myopenid.com/ (![[identity profile]](http://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/openid.png){kind=small} quux.myopenid.com) wrote in ![[personal profile]](http://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small} mjg59, |
You are wrong on two important points.
1) MS does not have any contract with any OEM to, as you say "deliver no PC without an OS/Windows on it." That practice was outlawed (for MS) a decade ago.
2) You say "When Windows 8 starts shipping, the UEFI on all OEM PCs, as mandated by Microsoft, will require a CA key to install Linux. Practically speaking, the bottom line is, MS is indirectly but effectively preventing Linux from being installed on any PC that comes with Windows 8." This statement appears to hinge on the unstated assumptions that only a Win8 key can be loaded into the UEFI config, and additionally that the UEFI will be configured such that the system owner cannot add keys or shut off the secure boot function. None of these assumptions make much sense. UEFI easily supports both multiple keys, and the ability to turn off the secure boot function.
Since it is to any vendor's benefit to make every system appeal to as many buyers as possible, it's quite likely that OEMs will do what they can to not lockout other operating systems. Why would they leave money on the table when it is very easy to include an off switch (software or hardware) or to add signing keys from any other OS maker who deigns to provide them?
1) MS does not have any contract with any OEM to, as you say "deliver no PC without an OS/Windows on it." That practice was outlawed (for MS) a decade ago.
2) You say "When Windows 8 starts shipping, the UEFI on all OEM PCs, as mandated by Microsoft, will require a CA key to install Linux. Practically speaking, the bottom line is, MS is indirectly but effectively preventing Linux from being installed on any PC that comes with Windows 8." This statement appears to hinge on the unstated assumptions that only a Win8 key can be loaded into the UEFI config, and additionally that the UEFI will be configured such that the system owner cannot add keys or shut off the secure boot function. None of these assumptions make much sense. UEFI easily supports both multiple keys, and the ability to turn off the secure boot function.
Since it is to any vendor's benefit to make every system appeal to as many buyers as possible, it's quite likely that OEMs will do what they can to not lockout other operating systems. Why would they leave money on the table when it is very easy to include an off switch (software or hardware) or to add signing keys from any other OS maker who deigns to provide them?
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