[Leaplist] Microsoft NT 6.0 (Vista) technical realities -- WAS: ignorance-based FUD

[Bryan J. Smith]

Just trying to dispell the countless FUD I see here to LEAPLIST
(I'm CC'ing PC_Support for further discussion, please do it there).

Facts:

1.  In all NT 5 releases (5.0=2000, 5.1=XP/2003), hardware driver signing is an option, it's enforcement is just optional.

2.  In all NT 5 releases, software signing an is an option, it's enforcement is rather pathetic (.inst "click through, .exe is "manual right-click").

3.  In all forthcoming NT 6 (Vista, "Longhorn Server", etc...). #1 and #2 will become required defaults with less options to disable/better enforcement.

4.  To obtain a key for signature, you have to get pay for signing key with a select CA, and also deal with Microsoft.

Now other than #4, please end the ignorant FUD.
Understand thay Microsoft *IS* trying to deal with the
fact that their platform drivers are buggy,
and countless spyware/malware is a nuisance.
Especially given the .exe self-installing format even they
themselves continue to favor over .inst package,
of which many .exe's are just encapsulating.

Now with that all said, Microsoft *SHOULD* provide a way for
"community software" to be signed without the expense.
*THAT'S* what most of you (with notable exceptions)l should be bitching for,
instead of making ignorant arguments that cross DRM concepts and other, unrelated non-sense.

97% of what I see in these dicussions is unintential, ignorance-based FUD.
It *PREVENTS* some of us *REAL* (and yes, dammit,
I'm going to be arrogant - although I'm sure some of the "silent, small minority" here agree)
"Linux Professionals" being able to make *sound* arguments against *other* MS incentives
(including separate, DRM/partner/provider issues).

But what do I know?  I'm biased!
I'm in bed with, defending or otherwise "promoting the evil" of the likes of Red Hat,
SCO, Novell or whomever is "the Microsoft of Linux" or
"Associates themselves with Microsoft" this week, let alone MS itself above.

"Are you now, or have you ever been, associated with Microsoft and, more importantly, I need the name of your co-conspirators?!"

-- Bryan

P.S.  New book idea I came up with last night after yet another NTFS issue:
Title:  "The 100 Chronic Design Flaws of Windows Networking"
Subtitle:  "And the Best Practices to Best Mitigate Them"
And *no*, the answer isn't "install Linux" - it's "where X, Y and/or Z (which may be Linux) can mitigate this inherit Windows issue.

It's meant to be a technical read, which allows deeper understanding when you have to support Windows networks (which includes Samba).

-- 
Sent from my Treo