Vista "backdoor" for national security?

Fri Feb 17, 2006 4:45 pm by Chips

I was responding to another thread about Vista, when I decided this is a fairly meaty topic of convo in its own right, and would certainly drag that one from its current course anyways...

So, this is all down to this article that I read on the BBC - concerning the UK government in talks with Microsoft about its new "Vista" version, and its security.
New hardware on motherboards is there to prevent illegal downloads of unlicensed music/videos etc (not sure how reliable this information is, it's not specific in the slightest, and makes grandoise statements about it without how it would work!). However, the encryption method will also ensure your files are safe and secure on your pc unless they have your "key" to unlock (uncode) them.

The government, of course, finds this alarming - because they then cannot read your files - and are trying to ask MS to install a "backdoor" for government agencies... which is a rather interesting topic.

What do people think - PLEASE read the article before just ranting off, or launching into an Anti MS tirade... we know everyone hates them, and that their OS isn't stable/secure enough for us all yadda yadda yadda, so lets focus on the topic please.

Fri Feb 17, 2006 7:05 pm by H.Q. Victor

In the US, it WILL be ineviable, they will put in a back door. All they have to do is say "National Security" and a little nudge from Home Land Security and it will be done, though problally unanounced. It is only a matter of time. Interms of other security, it would be harmless, if people would just leave it alone and not try to hack it. But, human nature prefvents that. If for the simple "Thril" of it to the "I want to bring big brother down as reasons, it would seem inevatable. Still, I look forward to it. As someone who went from DOS 6.22, WIn 3.11 for Work Groups, Win 98, SE, ME, 2000 and now XP, it has been good to see the changes done. I will save judgement till Vista is out, and by out, I mean with including the new file systems included. I can hold out till its all out.

Fri Feb 17, 2006 7:55 pm by [steel]

backdoor would be a good name for an os wonder if RIAA and the hackers have got thier key to your yet to be built new pc already
mind you the gov/security forces can always get security data from the american music industry (as long as they dont back it up or burn a cd of it)

if you dont understand this post get goggling on what the riaa are up to now

Sat Feb 18, 2006 7:10 pm by Esquilax

Like HDCP, I had hoped that TPM chips and "backdoors" would be a couple of those "innovations" that would exist on paper but would not become mainstream. Lamentably, my hopes appear to have been in vain regarding all three. *Sigh* As for "backdoors", I doubt that it will take long for third-pary patches to appear that will disable such a "feature", so it wouldn't be a problem for long (hopefully). That being said, "features" like the above seem to provide even more incentive for the common man to move to Linux. I know that I intend to when I pick up a new PC.

Sun Feb 19, 2006 3:28 am by Chips

But everytime I read about Linux, it says you have to be a veritable "pro" at computers compared to the bog standard user (or the masses as they call them).

Effectively, for the normal average internet and computer user, they would never be able to use Linux - it's too complicated and difficult. It appears that those whom do use it don't even want it to be made more user friendly, some sort of kudos goes with being able to use Linux instead of windows, and it just wouldn't be special if everyone used it. Effectively the computer geeks revel in the ability to use Linux, and smirk at Windows users instead.

I was reading about the new Apple computer the other day, no tower case etc - just a monitor (with gubbins I assume, it didn't actually say) and the keyboard. It was discussing the operating systems, and how Windows has long lagged behind being usable compared to Apple. Vista is supposed to close the gap I think, but since everything is written for Windows... I would assume that may be a reason for the change to intel chips for apple then (perhaps?). Not really sure, haven't got time to read up all the ins and outs of every system.

Sun Feb 19, 2006 5:41 am by H.Q. Victor

There was (is) a simpler form of Linux, but it never went over like it was hoped, Lindows. It was sold on computers at the local Walmart, but has disapeared quietly. It is now know as Linspire Seems it had to settle things with MS and change its name.

System requirements - PC with 800 MHz or higher processor
128 MB of RAM (256 MB or higher recommended for best performance)
Hard drive with 4 GB free space
SVGA or higher resolution and monitor (3-D graphics accelerator card for some games, screen savers, etc.)
CD-ROM or DVD drive, Keyboard & Mouse
Linspire-compatible sound card and speakers or headphones
Linspire-compatible 56 Kbps hardware modem, cable modem, or DSL modem
Ethernet card for Internet/LAN connectivity

Click here for a complete list of supported hardware.

Compatability with programs list.

In light of the information, its begining to look like a viable alturnative, even for a Rabbit.

Sun Feb 19, 2006 5:54 am by Chips

Ooo thanks for all that Finalday, never even heard of it, nor heard Linux people talk about it. Will have a good butchers.

Sun Feb 19, 2006 3:13 pm by Esquilax

Final is correct. "Lindows" was taken to court last year I think, because MS decided to pursue legal action due to the similarity between the names of the OSes. Eventually the challenge was dropped and the name was changed to "Linspire". Linspire is probably the closest to Windows out of all of the Linux distributions, and should be easy to use. Similarly, "Ubuntu" Linux is also a very good distribution for new users and has been successfully used in businesses in a number of countries. It is a bit of a misconception that you have to be an "expert" to use Linux, as some familiarity is required, but the average user would pick up on the slight differences quickly. Some distributions however, are not aimed at the mainstream user and can be difficult to use. Linspire and Ubuntu are aimed at the mainstream crowd however, and would be suitable. Besides Chips, you are not exactly an eighty year-old man who has never used a computer before

.

Sun Feb 19, 2006 3:49 pm by Eh_Steve

Ubuntu is pretty fun to play around with on the livecd, though I havent installed it yet (successfully) so I'm not completely experienced

Sun Feb 19, 2006 5:11 pm by Esquilax

The last organisation I worked for (in November/December last year) used Ubuntu for 75% of their PCs and most of their servers, and it worked really well. Of course, the more senior employees forced the IT guys to provide them with XP. Something along the lines of "We're too old to change" as I recall

.

Sun Feb 19, 2006 6:08 pm by bret bretonian

I didn't know Taw was over in Australia working with you Esq

Sun Feb 19, 2006 8:38 pm by Esquilax

That Mullah certainly gets around. Believe me Comrade Bretski

.

Mon Feb 20, 2006 5:14 am by vorticaldwarf

The biggest problem with linux (at least for me) is gaming. There are very few game companies releasing games for linux. There have been attepmts to create software to bridge the gap but none were ever really sucessful. As soon as linux overcomes that hurdle I'm there.

Mon Feb 20, 2006 8:29 pm by Esquilax

Indeed. That is my main concern at the moment. WINE is supposed to be good, but there is some degradation in terms of performance. Well, the more people who switch to Linux, the more likely it is that more games will be made for it. In any case, I'd just have a separate Windows partition for games. It is safer that way.

Tue Feb 21, 2006 12:25 am by Chips

tbh, no-one I know ever mentioned that there were such things as linspire etc - its good to see that there is. I got to use Linux a lil, but it was like working with DOS again. When I first started, I hated windows and stuck with Dos only... but as time marched on, computers got better - and dos just didn't cut it. Now reverting seemed like hard work, which is exactly what linux seemed to be from my experience

I've recently got some extra pc's - seems like an opportunity

Important Message

You are browsing the archived Lancers Reactor forums. You cannot register or login.
The content may be outdated and links may not be functional.

To get the latest in Freelancer news, mods, modding and downloads, go to
The-Starport