----- Original Message ----- From: "Clinton Goveas" clinton@clintongoveas.com To: "'GNU/Linux Users Group, Mumbai, India'" linuxers@mm.ilug-bom.org.in Sent: Friday, August 08, 2003 12:02 AM Subject: RE: [ILUG-BOM] TCPA: Does it not concern us?
Why would Microsoft not benefit from helping introduce this sort of architecture? All their products would definitely be TCPA certified,
Microsoft would benefit only if ALL users moved to TCPA platform. If that happens only in USA, not in Aisa, they are going to be in deep S***. Even in USA, they are already having major problems in moving their customers from the older versions of Windows like Windows NT. The resistance to a new TCPA platform may be higher. The scenario of people simple avoid upgrading hardware and software simply to avoid TCPA is their worst nightmare.
especially since they are members of the committee on TCPA standards. In fact, this is a way they could get back at competition (primarily FLOSS) and practically make them illegal or rather impossible to use.
Again, Only if ALL users moved to it. Even now, microsoft has had to do things they had vowed not to do in order to cater to segments who are not on Windows. Like they have modified Microsoft Exchange in order to allow users on MacOS and Unix to use Microsoft Exchange. This was necessary in order to convince large customers with diverse platforms to use Exchange.
Any way, the rule will be applicable for New pcs. They cant make a law forcing people to throw away their existing hardware. That is where the catch will be.
While Intel hardware is largely manufactured outside the U.S.A due to cost considerations, the design for implementation is from the U.S.A. Once it is implemented in the U.S., it does not take long for such architecture to become globally prevalent.
Intel will use its subsidiaries in China, etc to make not TCPA chips if it comes to that. Besides there are other non-US companies making chips too. Eg. Cyrix is now owned by a Japaneese group. They will not be forced to follow TCPA unless it becames a law in Japan. Implementation of such a law in USA will be the kick start opportunity that Korean companies need to make their own cloned Intel chips......without TCPA. That was a very popular practice in 80s which has now died out because the margins are not that good anymore.
Companies like AMD, etc. will have to follow suit if they want M$ consumers to buy their hardware. Hence, the problem was, and still remains, the prevalent use of M$ software.
Regards Saswata