[ale] Fwd: [FSF] Enter the Restricted Boot Webcomic Contest: Defend user freedom on tablets and smartphones

Thu Mar 1 11:01:11 EST 2012

Mike, I don't know if you know this, but many apps sniff for rooted access
and deny themselves access if its enabled.

Parts of the Android Market (videos, namely) do this. Which granted, I've
only used once...

--Cameron <http://ghostfreeman.net>

On Thu, Mar 1, 2012 at 10:50 AM, Michael H. Warfield <mhw at wittsend.com>wrote:

> On Thu, 2012-03-01 at 10:18 -0500, Cameron Kilgore wrote:
> > Microsoft's just following the plan that Apple and Google are following
> > with iOS and Android. Why only take the fight to Microsoft?
>
> Huh?
>
> In what way is Google doing this with Android?  They're not restricting
> any of the devices that work with Android to only use Android.  I've got
> Android now that runs in a virtual machine on my systems.  Many of the
> phones and tablets are locked but not by Google.  They're locked by the
> vendor at the behest of the carrier and many, like HTC, Samsung, Sony,
> and Motorola, will unlock most of their newer devices (older ones are a
> problematical morass) at the request of the owners and many more are
> already rooted with no effort on the part of Google or the vendors to
> relock them.  Go up to the Android market and search on "root" and look
> at all the returns (hint - more than what the search will tell you - it
> will say something like "more than 2000 results").  How is this like
> Microsoft and Apple?
>
> Regards,
> Mike
>
> > --Cameron <http://ghostfreeman.net>
> >
> >
> > On Thu, Mar 1, 2012 at 9:58 AM, Charles Shapiro <hooterpincher at gmail.com
> >wrote:
> >
> > > Interesting.  This has been percolating out  for a whiles.  What it
> > > means is that desktop linux users are pretty ok for now, but your
> > > chances of taking control of a whole class of other devices ( such as
> > > your tablet, cell phone or netbook ) just went down.
> > >
> > > What Microsoft really wants to do, I suspect, is to create two tiers
> > > of users -- desktop guys who are professionals and must be catered to,
> > > and ARM-based users, who are just tubes that consume content and
> > > squirt out money.  A great plan for them. Maybe not so good for the
> > > rest of us.
> > >
> > > -- CHS
> > >
> > > ---------- Forwarded message ----------
> > > From: Free Software Foundation <info at fsf.org>
> > > Date: Wed, Feb 29, 2012 at 5:24 PM
> > > Subject: [FSF] Enter the Restricted Boot Webcomic Contest: Defend user
> > > freedom on tablets and smartphones
> > > To: Charles Shapiro <hooterpincher at gmail.com>
> > >
> > >
> > > In December, Microsoft apparently conceded to public pressure by
> > > quietly updating the Windows 8 logo certification requirements with a
> > > mandate that a desktop computer user must be able to control (and
> > > disable) the Secure Boot feature on any Windows 8 computer that is not
> > > based on ARM technology. This looks like a victory for free software
> > > users, as it will allow a person to install GNU/Linux or other free
> > > software operating system in place of Windows 8.
> > >
> > > But, this is no time for celebration, because Microsoft has also added
> > > a treacherous mandate for makers of ARM-based computers — such as a
> > > tablets, netbooks, and smartphones — requiring them to build their
> > > machines with Restricted Boot technology. Such computers are designed
> > > to lock a user into only being able to run Windows 8, absolutely
> > > preventing her from being able to install a free software operating
> > > system on her computer. Since smartphones and tablets are some of the
> > > most commonly used computers, it's vital that we get straightforward
> > > and clear information about this threat out to the public.
> > >
> > > Already know what this is about? Then take action now:
> > >
> > > Raise awareness and have fun while putting pressure on Microsoft and
> > > computer makers by entering the Restricted Boot Webcomic Contest.
> > >
> > > Winning submissions will be featured on the front page of fsf.org for
> a
> > > month.
> > > Entries must be submitted by March 17th by emailing campaigns at fsf.org.
> > >
> > > Sign the statement "Stand up for your freedom to install free
> software."
> > >
> > > For individuals
> > > For organizations and corporations
> > >
> > > If this is the first you're hearing about this whole Restricted Boot
> > > vs. Secure Boot business, read the full story.
> > >
> > > You can support this campaign and the rest of the FSF's work by
> > > joining as a member or making a donation today.
> > >
> > > Sincerely,
> > >
> > > Josh, John, Matt, and Richard
> > > Free Software Foundation
> > >
> > >
> > > --
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> > > blogs via RSS at http://fsf.org/blogs/RSS
> > > Join us as an associate member at http://fsf.org/jf
> > >
> > > Sent from the Free Software Foundation,
> > >
> > > 51 Franklin Street
> > > Fifth Floor
> > > Boston, MA 02110-1335
> > > United States
> > >
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> > >
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> --
> Michael H. Warfield (AI4NB) | (770) 985-6132 |  mhw at WittsEnd.com
>   /\/\|=mhw=|\/\/          | (678) 463-0932 |
> http://www.wittsend.com/mhw/
>   NIC whois: MHW9          | An optimist believes we live in the best of
> all
>  PGP Key: 0x674627FF        | possible worlds.  A pessimist is sure of it!
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