On 06/04/15 12:38, Nigel Verity wrote: > Hi > > I have been reading recently that Microsoft are removing the requirement for > hardware manufacturers to provide a secure boot "off" switch, in order to > gain Windows 10 accreditation. If this comes to pass it will place Linux > distros entirely at the mercy of Microsoft to sign their authentication keys, > otherwise they will be shut out from installation on mainstream computers. > > Given that Microsoft look like making a lot less money out of the Windows OS > itself over the coming years, it seems reasonable to assume that they will > seek to maximise whatever revenue they can generate. This points towards > eventually shutting out even "approved" Linux distributions. Presumably Apple > can do exactly the same to prevent installation on Macs. > > If this comes to pass I have to admit to not having a clear view of where > this will leave us. The only possibilities I can see are: > > 1) Being confined to installing on Chromebooks > 2) Being forced to use more expensive specialist hardware (e.g hardware > designed primarily to be a server) > 3) A move to ARM-powered devices > > I stress I am not an expert on this so my outlook may be unduly pessimistic, > but it would be interesting to get the views of anyone with more insight into > the implications. > > Could something akin to Wubi be a way around the problem, albeit far from > ideal? > > I suppose ultimately I am looking for some reassurance that Linux on the > desktop is not being forced onto a road to nowhere. > > Nige > > I have a vague recollection that Microsoft tried this approach in the early days of Win8 but the outcry produced the current 'Off Switch' option. I expect that the EU authorities will take a dim view of this as well, from the point of anti-competition, in the same way that they forced Microsoft to offer a choice of web browser.
Barry T -- ubuntu-uk@lists.ubuntu.com https://lists.ubuntu.com/mailman/listinfo/ubuntu-uk https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UKTeam/
