This trick couldn't be used to do that -- but the ability to prevent non-MS OS installs already exists in many modern machines: UEFI. Now that Microsoft no longer requires OEMs to provide a way to disable UEFI, look for an increasing number of systems that do this.
This "trick" requires the cooperation of the operating system being used, so it's Windows-only. It is technically possible to add the required support into Linux, but the community would never accept such a change.
Re: For years, people have been told "don't get involved, call the police"
"Someone standing around video taping is almost certainly of a generation that has been raised from cradle-age with the "let the police handle it" training"
Perhaps. But I think it's far more likely that it's the result of the police having lost the trust and respect of the public.
I think the police are clearly a very serious problem. So is police management.
"it's also these morons with their cellphone cameras that get too close to these cops"
There are existing noncontroversial laws about doing this whether or not a camera is involved, so the concern by the police is obviously not "morons who get too close". They concern is that their behavior is being recorded.
And it's Lenovo who flagrantly abused that ability. It isn't always possible to avoid Windows (although I do my very best to). It is always possible to avoid Lenovo.
Re: Encryption restrictions on US exports in the post Snowden era sounds fishy.
"I'm pretty sure these export restrictions are not valid anymore, or couldn't possibly be enforced."
They are valid. The export restrictions were eased, but not eliminated.
"It would give offshore software a considerable edge that they were allowed to use larger keys where US-developed applications could not."
US-developed apps can use very strong encryption. They just can't export it. And yes, it does give offshore software a considerable advantage, which is how it came to be that the really cutting-edge crypto development is not done in the US.
Yes, I've heard from others who didn't have the problems I had with it. I can't explain it, because the problems aren't even dependent on the machine or OS I use. I even experience them with the Android G+ and Hangout apps. Particularly Hangouts.
Lots of people do experience the same issues as me, too. I am astounded and at a loss to explain why everyone doesn't see the same issues.
No matter. It means that G+ and Hangouts are not an option for me because they effectively don't work.
Also, Oracle's software is NOT like a house, so the analogy fails right up front. Unless it's a weird kind of "house" that you bring into your own "house" (the computer running their questionable software).
I understand the sentiment, but there is no question that this "freedom" is causing wholesale corruption of the political system and a loss of freedom for everybody.
Re: Hey, why don't you be completely transparent about Techdirt's defenses, and encourage everyone to test them? Or is that YOUR "intellectual property" you want kept secret?
I am continually amazed at how many people forget that the reason for government regulation is that the industries being regulated actively misbehave and harm people when they are left to their own devices.
You misunderstand. I'm not saying it doesn't do much. I'm saying it doesn't work well. It's pig-dog slow and malfunctions frequently. It borders on unusable for me.
Mary Ann Davidson's blog post demonstrates very well one of the main reasons why I do not use, and recommend against using, Oracle software unless there is literally no other option.
On the post: Lenovo Busted For Stealthily Installing Crapware Via BIOS On Fresh Windows Installs
Re:
On the post: Lenovo Busted For Stealthily Installing Crapware Via BIOS On Fresh Windows Installs
Re: All laptops?
On the post: Boston Police Commissioner Wants Cameras Further Away From Cops, Criminal Charges For Not Assisting Officers
Re: For years, people have been told "don't get involved, call the police"
Perhaps. But I think it's far more likely that it's the result of the police having lost the trust and respect of the public.
On the post: Boston Police Commissioner Wants Cameras Further Away From Cops, Criminal Charges For Not Assisting Officers
Re:
I think the police are clearly a very serious problem. So is police management.
"it's also these morons with their cellphone cameras that get too close to these cops"
There are existing noncontroversial laws about doing this whether or not a camera is involved, so the concern by the police is obviously not "morons who get too close". They concern is that their behavior is being recorded.
On the post: Lenovo Busted For Stealthily Installing Crapware Via BIOS On Fresh Windows Installs
Re: Re: How?
On the post: Why TPP Threatens To Undermine One Of The Fundamental Principles Of Science
Re: Re: David #6 - Re: Well, there is a point to data exclusivity
So, what you're saying here is that it's all BS?
On the post: Lenovo Busted For Stealthily Installing Crapware Via BIOS On Fresh Windows Installs
Re: How?
On the post: Manhattan District Attorney Ratchets Up The 'Going Dark' FUD; Leaves Out Its Connection To Shady Hacking Team
Re:
On the post: Manhattan District Attorney Ratchets Up The 'Going Dark' FUD; Leaves Out Its Connection To Shady Hacking Team
Re:
On the post: Chicago's Secret Homan Square Detention Facility Way Worse Than Anyone Thought
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: IRS Targeting
On the post: Sophos: If You'd Like A Copy Of Our Free AV Software, You'll Need To Prove You're Not A Terrorist
Re: Encryption restrictions on US exports in the post Snowden era sounds fishy.
They are valid. The export restrictions were eased, but not eliminated.
"It would give offshore software a considerable edge that they were allowed to use larger keys where US-developed applications could not."
US-developed apps can use very strong encryption. They just can't export it. And yes, it does give offshore software a considerable advantage, which is how it came to be that the really cutting-edge crypto development is not done in the US.
On the post: The Failure Of Google Plus Should Be A Reminder That Big Companies Very Rarely Successfully 'Copy' Startups
Re: Re: Re: Re: Re:
Lots of people do experience the same issues as me, too. I am astounded and at a loss to explain why everyone doesn't see the same issues.
No matter. It means that G+ and Hangouts are not an option for me because they effectively don't work.
On the post: Google Surprises Everyone By... Breaking Itself Up (Kinda)
Re: Re: Re:
Tomayto, tomahto.
On the post: Oracle Tells Customers To Stop Trying To Find Vulnerabilities In Oracle Products... Because 'Intellectual Property'
Re: This silly analogy...
On the post: Larry Lessig Goes Even Bigger: May Run For President On The Single Issue Of Money In Politics
Re: I don't support this.
On the post: Oracle Tells Customers To Stop Trying To Find Vulnerabilities In Oracle Products... Because 'Intellectual Property'
Re: Hey, why don't you be completely transparent about Techdirt's defenses, and encourage everyone to test them? Or is that YOUR "intellectual property" you want kept secret?
On the post: Shocker: Billions In Broadband Subsidies Wasted As Government Turns Blind Eye To Fraud
Re: Re: Bode's Unwell
On the post: The Failure Of Google Plus Should Be A Reminder That Big Companies Very Rarely Successfully 'Copy' Startups
Re: Re: Re:
On the post: Oracle Tells Customers To Stop Trying To Find Vulnerabilities In Oracle Products... Because 'Intellectual Property'
Good summary
On the post: The Failure Of Google Plus Should Be A Reminder That Big Companies Very Rarely Successfully 'Copy' Startups
Re:
It could have been, but it's not. At least for me, G+ and Hangouts are so poorly programmed that they are painful to use.
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