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What is the TRUE cost of Windows Vista?
The following quote taken from A Cost Analysis of Windows Vista Content Protection says it best.
I've just had my first experience with HD content being blocked. I purchased an HP Media Center PC with a built-in HD DVD player, together with a 24" 'high definition' 1920 × 1200 HP flat panel display (HP LP2465). They even included an HD movie, 'The Bourne Supremacy'. Sure enough, the movie won't play because while the video card supports HDCP content protection, the monitor doesn't. (It plays if I connect an old 14" VGA CRT using a DVI-to-VGA connector)" - Roger Strong.
In other words, this means that even if you have the top of the line home theatre in your basement, you will not be allowed to watch high definition content unless every component in your system is "authorized" by Microsoft and Hollywood.
eCompuLab recognizes your wants and needs when it comes to your personal computer. You shouldn't have to ask permission to play that latest DVD that you legally purchased on your new Windows Vista computer. Hollywood and Microsoft should not have the ability to restrict your access to certain programs and even your own data files.
We're going to attempt to organize the facts surrounding Windows Vista, and the problems we are currently facing. Please take the time to educate yourself, your friends and your family about the truth behind the hype.
What the heck is DRM?
To quote Wikipedia's article on DRM:
Digital rights management (DRM) is an umbrella term that refers to access control technologies used by publishers and other copyright holders to limit usage of digital media or devices. DRM can also refer to restrictions associated with specific instances of digital works or devices. The term is often confused with copy protection and technical protection measures, which refer to specific technologies that control or restrict the use and access of digital content on electronic devices. Such technologies act as components of a full-blown DRM design.
Why should I care?
Even Bill Gates is against DRM, here are a few points to consider (from http://DRM.info):
- DRM means loss of control
- You are the enemy for DRM
- DRM compromises your security
- DRM is a security nightmare
- DRM is a maintance nightmare
- DRM is a financial nightmare
The reasons are plentiful and shocking. Remember the whole "upgrade" experience when moving from vinyl then to 8-track and then to cassette and finally to cd? If you are too young to remember the consumer backlash, ask your parents how many copies of the Beatles albums they have bought over and over again in different formats, just to keep up with the current standards.
The same can be said regarding DRM. The major difference, and the real source of frustration is the fact that the restrictions you face are more invasive than ever. People have spent thousands of dollars at the iTunes music store for LEGAL songs for their iPods. Great! You're supporting the artists, I applaud you. However, don't ever switch away from the iPod, the DRM included in each file YOU PAID FOR will prevent you from playing those songs on any other mp3 player.
How would you like to buy one copy of your favourite band's latest cd, then find out that you'll need to buy another copy for the car, and yet another for the cottage, lets not forget that fourth and final copy for your office cd player. This is exactly what the music industry wants, they want complete control over how you use the music you paid for.
Should I make the switch?
Absolutely NOT! Though there isn't much you can do about it. Any new system you purchase from a retail will come pre-loaded with vista, and due to the licensing terms you agree to when you boot up for the first time, you cannot use an alternative to Windows Vista on your new computer. Combine that with the massive hardware and software incompatibility problems (any hardware older than 3-4 years is UNLIKELY to work with Vista), and you'll find that it is not the right time to make the switch to Vista IF YOU CAN AVOID IT. It will be much better to wait a year or two until the first service pack or two has been released and all the major bugs have been worked out.
