Op Mon, 19 Feb 2007 22:22:28 -0500, schreef amicus_curious:
>
> "Roy Schestowitz" <newsgroups@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
> news:2845664.9jIXJjInkD@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
>> OLPC's XO laptop comes with anti-theft kill-switch in select countries
>>
>> ,----[ Quote ]
>> | OLPC has responded to such concerns by developing an anti-theft
>> | daemon that the project claims cannot be disabled, even by a user
>> | with root access.
>> `----
>>
>> http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20070218-8872.html
>
> It seems rather curious that the same people who seemed so concerned that
> WGA could be used to disable machines found to be running pirated copies of
> Windows in spite of assurances to the contrary would applaud a much more
> Draconian measure with regard to the OLPC. I guess it mostly matters
> whether or not you hate Microsoft.
First, I don't think this is going to work - as every anti-piracy and DRM
system devised so har has proven more or less trivial to hack. Yes, it
might frustrate the less skilled thieves at first, but that won't be much
good: a machine, once stolen won't be returned (cf. car stereo theft);
also, within a short time, there will be people who can hack this
protection.
Then about your comparison with WGA: I don't think WGA is such a bad
thing, as long as it works flawlessly. Also, I think it'll stimulate Linux
use - I've performed several Linux installs the past few months directly
as a result of WGA trouble being the last straw for several Windows users.
And, of course, WGA has no positive effects at all for users; it's
intended exclusively to give the OS manufacturer more control over the
(ab)use of their products.
Anti-theft is another matter entirely, aimed at protecting the user's
interest - especially if this user is a small kid who can't be expected
to prevent or fight theft.
But still I'd be very reluctant to use anything equipped with a remote
kill switch, as I like to be in control of what I paid for as much as
possible - after all, that's why I ditched Windows ten years ago.
Richard Rasker
--
Linetec Translation and Technology Services
http://www.linetec.nl/
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