Microsoft Embraces BIOS Vendor Phoenix

[H_TeXMeX_H]

http://www.networkcomputing.com/showitem.jhtml?docid=1421buzz2

from 2003, I found it while looking for a way to update my Phoenix BIOS ... no real way to do so.

I found it through: http://www.theinquirer.net/?article=29963

In a move best described as puzzling, BIOS manufacturer Phoenix Technologies inked an agreement with Microsoft that will more tightly bind Windows to the system BIOS. The goal of the agreement, both companies say, is to improve security, serviceability and deployment of Windows boxes.

Although this is a laudable goal, the reality of the agreement will mean fewer choices for customers and more control for Microsoft. Any benefits should be accessible to all, not just those running Microsoft operating systems. ...

Looks like M$ is trying to form very strong parasitic bonds with hardware manufacturers and increase their level of control over your computer ... to make sure you're running their OS. I think their future goal is to either cut other operating systems out of the market with M$ only hardware or assimilate them or destroy them.

There is also Linux/Free BIOS: http://www.fsf.org/campaigns/free-bios.html

FSF suggests:

You can help our campaign by buying AMD CPU chips and not buying Intel. AMD have been helpful but Intel needs to be persuaded. Likewise, buy motherboards that support free BIOS. Tyan Computer Corporation are very helpful to the LinuxBIOS project and employ a full-time LinuxBIOS developer.

[mobrien_12]

I think this is part of the MS efforts to DRM everything, right down to the hardware/BIOS level.

As far as buying AMD and not Intel, that was Stalman's position when Intel decided not to collaborate on his open BIOS project.  I lost a lot of respect for RMS that day.  Intel has done a lot for Linux, releasing hardware specs, driver code, and software under GPL.  Intel has also contributed to the Linux legal defense fund.  Intel didn't knuckle under to SCOG during the end of the discovery phase of the ongoing IBM-SCOG lawsuit.


But Linux isn't RMS's project, so we should all just forget about that and boycott Intel because they won't support RMS's pet project.

RMS is a great man, but sometimes he really needs to be told to go #$%^ himself.

[H_TeXMeX_H]

Hehe ... yeah. I'm not going to boycott intel just cuz they won't support a project ... only if they actively try to destroy it or something ... or just do evil shit like M$.

Anyway, the BIOS bit may be a problem since a lot of laptops use Phoenix BIOS (like mine )

[Aloone_Jonez]

MS have being doing this for years, they've always had a strong influence over hardware manufacturers and I don't blame companies for wanting to go to bed with one of te most powerful companies in the world.

[inane]

I think this is part of the MS efforts to DRM everything, right down to the hardware/BIOS level.

As far as buying AMD and not Intel, that was Stalman's position when Intel decided not to collaborate on his open BIOS project.  I lost a lot of respect for RMS that day.  Intel has done a lot for Linux, releasing hardware specs, driver code, and software under GPL.  Intel has also contributed to the Linux legal defense fund.  Intel didn't knuckle under to SCOG during the end of the discovery phase of the ongoing IBM-SCOG lawsuit.


But Linux isn't RMS's project, so we should all just forget about that and boycott Intel because they won't support RMS's pet project.

RMS is a great man, but sometimes he really needs to be told to go #$%^ himself.

Intel is about to start doing the most fucked up thing that I can imagine... adding DRM to their chips. The problem that I see is that I actually like Intel chips. It'll be a sad day when I have to boycott them.

[piratePenguin]

I think this is part of the MS efforts to DRM everything, right down to the hardware/BIOS level.

As far as buying AMD and not Intel, that was Stalman's position when Intel decided not to collaborate on his open BIOS project.  I lost a lot of respect for RMS that day.  Intel has done a lot for Linux, releasing hardware specs, driver code, and software under GPL.  Intel has also contributed to the Linux legal defense fund.  Intel didn't knuckle under to SCOG during the end of the discovery phase of the ongoing IBM-SCOG lawsuit.


But Linux isn't RMS's project, so we should all just forget about that and boycott Intel because they won't support RMS's pet project.

RMS is a great man, but sometimes he really needs to be told to go #$%^ himself.

Well, he was talking about how to help the LinuxBIOS campaign, not GNU/Linux.

I like what the Tyan guys are doing. Might look into getting one of their motherboards when it comes to building a new computer. Always wanted to try out this project, but my current motherboard isn't supported.

[solemnwarning]

My mobo has a phoenix BIOS and linux is working fine

[Jack2000]

is there such thing as an open Bios
you know the one that you can compile yourself and
then reflash yo bios with it ??

[piratePenguin]

is there such thing as an open Bios
you know the one that you can compile yourself and
then reflash yo bios with it ??

That would be LinuxBIOS, which was mentioned in the original post...

Although, I'd prefer a BIOS that doesn't just boot Linux. Anyone know of any other free/open BIOS projects?

[H_TeXMeX_H]

Intel is about to start doing the most fucked up thing that I can imagine... adding DRM to their chips. The problem that I see is that I actually like Intel chips. It'll be a sad day when I have to boycott them.

Source pls ... I believe you, but I wanna read it for myself.

Is this it: http://www.realtechnews.com/posts/2915

IBM: http://news.zdnet.co.uk/business/legal/0,39020651,39262333,00.htm

DRM blows

[mobrien_12]

What in the world makes you think AMD isn't doing the same thing?

[H_TeXMeX_H]

They might be ... in fact, I'm sure every major hardware company is involved with DRM in some way. (I'm not dissing Intel at all ... I still prefer Intel over AMD)

P.S. Check out my number of posts ... 777 ... Jackpot !!!

[mobrien_12]

Inane was talking about boycotting Intel for putting the TCPA stuff in their CORE architecture... well he'd have to boycott AMD too.  That's what I was getting at.

[H_TeXMeX_H]

It's difficult to boycott DRM, cuz everyone uses it ... and under GPL v2 Linux supports it. Looks like there is only one solution ... crack DRM (yeah it's easier said than done from what I've read)

[Jack2000]

can not you yank off the drm chip
and replace it with an reflashed eprom?