Microsoft Taking Over the BIOS

dtjohnson writes "According to this story, Microsoft has entered into an agreement with BIOS maker Phoenix Technologies to integrate the BIOS with Windows. This has the potential to turn PCs into Windows-only machines and also could result in widespread incorporation of Digital Rights Management (DRM) technology into new PCs. It looks like Microsoft is beginning to flex their marketplace monopoly muscles again, after taking a couple of years off."

bleh

[Anonymous Coward]

so now the bios wont be reliable either?

Re:Well

[donutz]

I, for one, welcome our new BIOS controlling overlords.

I, for one, welcome the day when people realize that joke just isn't funny anymore.

All your overload joke are belong to us!

BIOS has a new meaning?

[placeclicker]

Basic Insecure Operating System ?

Re:If Apple does this, it is good

[cpt kangarooski]

Well Apple hasn't really got a monopoly. You'd have more of a monopoly if you had Baltic and Mediterranean Avenues.

Plus of course, MS is exceptionally bad at writing good software. It's buggy, it's not secure, the user interface is godawful. Apple sometimes has problems with this, and it's gotten worse since Steve came back, but they at least have a better reputation in this respect.

And MS is considerably more evil than Apple apparently.

Just wen you thought only the os was safe.

[eadint]

now you can have a whole new plethora of viruses and worms brought to you by windows update.

Re:Could you explain?

[SkArcher]

Mmmmm, want to go and tell that to Valve?

Re:Sun shows propritary hardware doomed to fail

[ydnar]

Oh, the irony [sun.com].

Comment removed

[account_deleted]

Comment removed based on user account deletion

Re:Thank goodness for LinuxBIOS

[NickDngr]

Looks like phoenix wants to take a dirt nap.

Right, because we all know that no one uses Windows.

Re:Well

[OverlordQ]

All your overlord joke are belong to us!

I should start charging $699 everytime somebody uses my name . . .

So M$ wants world domination

[The_Isle_of_Mark]

I can't believe this garbage coming out. I had to replace a low end server the other day, and the OS (yes, I was forced to use a Server 2000 OS) was more than the hardware! Now M$ is trying to get their hands in that too? Will it ever stop? God almighty, if 3k isnt enough for M$ to get from a low end server, then what is? 3k just to M$ to be able to use the "BIOS" they copyrighted? Take that with a grain of salt, or a rim of salt! Come... Come to my island.

The BORG are coming!

[BladeMelbourne]

The BORG are coming!

Your BIOS will be assimilated. Resistance is futile!

Next Microsoft will be selling cube shaped PCs with eerie green lights illuminating it. We must stop the collective from growing.

Re:Thank goodness for LinuxBIOS

[Anonymous Coward]

Dell has "paid the Phoenix tax" since they were called PC's (sic) Limited. I imagine they'll fall right into line welcoming our new BIOS overlords.

Re:I think this is outstanding.

[EvilSporkMan]

Microsoft's superior technology inovators develop a compression algorythm
I, for one, would like to welcome our new compression overlords. =D

Don't be silly...

[MongooseCN]

Next you're going to tell me Microsoft made something called a 'winmodem' that only worked on windows. Sheesh don't get worked up thinking so much. I just sit back and let Clippy tell me what to do.

Re:BIOS has a new meaning?

[jmenezes]

Aer you sure it isnt
Bill's Insecure Operating System

Re:JUST in the sake of fairness...

[kfg]

Hey Honey?

Yeah, that Dahmer character has invited us over for dinner.

I know, I know. But that doesn't mean he's going to eat us.

This time could be different.

KFG

So was HAL a Microsoft product?

[bobdotorg]

I can hear it now. On trying to install Linux, "I'm sorry Dave, but I can't let you do that"

Re:JUST in the sake of fairness...

[RevMike]

Microsoft Cures Cancer
Posted by michael on Friday October 03, @06:38PM
from the You-know-they're-evil-just-admit-it dept.
Anonymous Coward writes "Microsoft researchers have discovered the cure for cancer, and MS is paying for any cancer patient's medical treatment" Micro$oft is up to their same old tricks - this time exploiting the sick and feeble to further their own agenda. Have they no shame?

Well, actually, Micro$oft wouldn't exactly cure cancer, they'd put it into remission for two or three years. You'd have to purchase new and "improved" treatments each time it came out of remission, in order to live for a few more years.

Oh, and they wouldn't be paying for the initial treatments out of the goodness of their hearts, but treatment would be funded by vouchers given to victims in prior settlments of court cases against MS.

Re:DRM will be optional.

[Eslyjah]

And in the battle of public opinion, you can't beat the 500 pound elephant willing to lie.

That's one small elephant!

This just in...

[Anonymous Coward]

The Microsoft BIOS will be called "Microsoft Control Program," or MCP for short.

End of Line.

Re:Thank goodness for LinuxBIOS

[pyrrhonist]

Phoenix will get burned.

Yeah, but they'll be back (rising from the ashes and all that).

Open Firmware Song!

[pergamon]

Everyone, sing along:

Open Firmware Song [sun.com]

Re:Who do I blame for all this crap?

[buckminster]

Let me get this straight, you've got the money to drop $6k on a HDTV and now you're in the mood to start firebombing companies?

Ladies and gentlemen, the revolution has begun.

Re:Thank goodness for LinuxBIOS

[TheDormouse]

My computer has to be stable. It has to run in dual monitor mode. I have to be able to buy hardware from the store and get it up and running quickly.

Dude, get a Mac.

wtf?

[Anonymous Coward]

Phoenix said the DRM-enabled CME was not part of Microsoft's NGSCB, but that the technology was complementary.

Re:Thank goodness for LinuxBIOS

[Pig Hogger]

You automatically lose when your rebuttall is to accuse somebody of working for Microsoft.

Is that a new Goodwin's law???

Re:Thank goodness for LinuxBIOS

[NanoGator]

"Hey, look! It's Bill's dick, lodged up NanoGator's ass!"

Yeah, you're really winning the argument if you are using the award winning strategy of saying your opponent is having sex with Bill Gates.

I'm surprise Linus lets you talk with your mouth full.

Windows BIOS = BIOS Viruses

[tomoe27]

Just great, now i can count on getting the latest virus/worm of the week in my BIOS now.

Re:Who do I blame for all this crap?

[Equuleus42]

...and now you're in the mood to start firebombing companies?

Isn't it ironic that Slashdot just posted information on building your own mortar [slashdot.org]?

Slashdot Nostalgia Page

[Futurepower(R)]

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Okay, moderators, do your duty. This is all off-topic.

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Re:Soon they'll come to a decision....

[Anonymous Coward]

Only on Slashdot will two pages linking Microsoft discounts on their operating system to civil war initiated by sheep be deemed on-topic and modded up.