What if you build your own?
I currently build all my own desktops. I have built several with UEFI, but without secure boot. Are manufactures of computer parts suddenly out of business? What about all the computer parts stores worldwide? If I bought a stack of bits and went home to build a Windows 8 machine for someone, would I still be allowed. Will part of the install involve ringing Microsoft to unlock something? But if you cannot boot from a DVD, how do you install an OS, even Windows, in the first place?
Lots of questions, lots of conjecture, not many straight answers. Surely the purveyors of motherboards will have to supply them with unlocked secure boot, even the ARM ones. And Microsoft have confirmed that that is the case otherwise no one will be able to do a new install of 2000 - Windows7. What about HDD failure? Run down to the shop, pick up a nice new 2tB drive and plug it in and the UEFI has a hissy fit when you try and reinstall. Each Windows install disk would have to be absolutely locked to one piece of hardware. All Windows8 would have to be use once OEM, no more own your own boxed editions. I can guess that the install will generate a key that then has to be entered into the BIOS and then a reboot before Windows 8 will fully function.
Notebooks, on the other hand, are more easily controlled. There are not many build your own notebooks.
I do not care about Windows installs for home builds, but answering these questions will go a long way to knowing what will happen to Linux home builds.
5 - 10 years from now. What happens to Internet Banking or any online commerce? No secure boot no transaction. Maybe.
I currently build all my own desktops. I have built several with UEFI, but without secure boot. Are manufactures of computer parts suddenly out of business? What about all the computer parts stores worldwide? If I bought a stack of bits and went home to build a Windows 8 machine for someone, would I still be allowed. Will part of the install involve ringing Microsoft to unlock something? But if you cannot boot from a DVD, how do you install an OS, even Windows, in the first place?
Lots of questions, lots of conjecture, not many straight answers. Surely the purveyors of motherboards will have to supply them with unlocked secure boot, even the ARM ones. And Microsoft have confirmed that that is the case otherwise no one will be able to do a new install of 2000 - Windows7. What about HDD failure? Run down to the shop, pick up a nice new 2tB drive and plug it in and the UEFI has a hissy fit when you try and reinstall. Each Windows install disk would have to be absolutely locked to one piece of hardware. All Windows8 would have to be use once OEM, no more own your own boxed editions. I can guess that the install will generate a key that then has to be entered into the BIOS and then a reboot before Windows 8 will fully function.
Notebooks, on the other hand, are more easily controlled. There are not many build your own notebooks.
I do not care about Windows installs for home builds, but answering these questions will go a long way to knowing what will happen to Linux home builds.
5 - 10 years from now. What happens to Internet Banking or any online commerce? No secure boot no transaction. Maybe.
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