All Things Microsoft > Microsoft as a Company

Microsoft Embraces BIOS Vendor Phoenix

(1/4) > >>

H_TeXMeX_H:
http://www.networkcomputing.com/showitem.jhtml?docid=1421buzz2

from 2003, I found it while looking for a way to update my Phoenix BIOS ... no real way to do so.

I found it through: http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=29963


--- Quote --- In a move best described as puzzling, BIOS manufacturer Phoenix Technologies inked an agreement with Microsoft that will more tightly bind Windows to the system BIOS. The goal of the agreement, both companies say, is to improve security, serviceability and deployment of Windows boxes.

Although this is a laudable goal, the reality of the agreement will mean fewer choices for customers and more control for Microsoft. Any benefits should be accessible to all, not just those running Microsoft operating systems. ...
--- End quote ---

Looks like M$ is trying to form very strong parasitic bonds with hardware manufacturers and increase their level of control over your computer ... to make sure you're running their OS. I think their future goal is to either cut other operating systems out of the market with M$ only hardware or assimilate them or destroy them.

There is also Linux/Free BIOS: http://www.fsf.org/campaigns/free-bios.html

FSF suggests:

--- Quote --- You can help our campaign by buying AMD CPU chips and not buying Intel. AMD have been helpful but Intel needs to be persuaded. Likewise, buy motherboards that support free BIOS. Tyan Computer Corporation are very helpful to the LinuxBIOS project and employ a full-time LinuxBIOS developer.
--- End quote ---

mobrien_12:
I think this is part of the MS efforts to DRM everything, right down to the hardware/BIOS level.

As far as buying AMD and not Intel, that was Stalman's position when Intel decided not to collaborate on his open BIOS project.  I lost a lot of respect for RMS that day.  Intel has done a lot for Linux, releasing hardware specs, driver code, and software under GPL.  Intel has also contributed to the Linux legal defense fund.  Intel didn't knuckle under to SCOG during the end of the discovery phase of the ongoing IBM-SCOG lawsuit.


But Linux isn't RMS's project, so we should all just forget about that and boycott Intel because they won't support RMS's pet project.

RMS is a great man, but sometimes he really needs to be told to go #$%^ himself.

H_TeXMeX_H:
Hehe ... yeah. I'm not going to boycott intel just cuz they won't support a project ... only if they actively try to destroy it or something ... or just do evil shit like M$.

Anyway, the BIOS bit may be a problem since a lot of laptops use Phoenix BIOS (like mine :()

Aloone_Jonez:
MS have being doing this for years, they've always had a strong influence over hardware manufacturers and I don't blame companies for wanting to go to bed with one of te most powerful companies in the world.

inane:

--- Quote from: mobrien_12 ---I think this is part of the MS efforts to DRM everything, right down to the hardware/BIOS level.

As far as buying AMD and not Intel, that was Stalman's position when Intel decided not to collaborate on his open BIOS project.  I lost a lot of respect for RMS that day.  Intel has done a lot for Linux, releasing hardware specs, driver code, and software under GPL.  Intel has also contributed to the Linux legal defense fund.  Intel didn't knuckle under to SCOG during the end of the discovery phase of the ongoing IBM-SCOG lawsuit.


But Linux isn't RMS's project, so we should all just forget about that and boycott Intel because they won't support RMS's pet project.

RMS is a great man, but sometimes he really needs to be told to go #$%^ himself.
--- End quote ---

Intel is about to start doing the most fucked up thing that I can imagine... adding DRM to their chips. The problem that I see is that I actually like Intel chips. It'll be a sad day when I have to boycott them.

Navigation

[0] Message Index

[#] Next page