undefined | Better HN

0 pointsbogomipz9y ago0 comments

Thanks for the detailed answer. In regards to:

>" Most implementations only allow 1 PK, and that PK is Microsoft's."

Isn't this a bit monopolistic and coercive though? "If you want the Microsoft Hologram on your product the PK has to be has to be Microsoft and there can only be one PK." I can't believe this doesn't violate some type of anti-trust laws.

0 comments

3 comments · 1 top-level

RandomOpinion9y ago· 2 in thread

How so? The OEMs want to make hardware that runs Windows. Microsoft provides a specification[0] and certification suites[1] that defines what "Windows-compatible" means, which OEMs then follow. Nothing coercive about that.

There is no open standard that defines what a PC is. Linux and other operating systems are piggybacking on the Windows PC standard. If they want OEMs to manufacture hardware to their standards, they'll have to create their own "Linux-compatible" specification and persuade OEMs to follow it.

[0] https://msdn.microsoft.com/windows/hardware/commercialize/de...

[1] https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/hardware/dn...

bogomipzOP9y ago

>"The OEMs want to make hardware that runs Windows."

I disagree. I think the OEMs want to make hardware that consumer buy. I don't think they care one bit what OS consumers run on top of their hardware. In fact I would imagine OEMS would prefer to bring their products to market without consulting Microsoft at all.

It's coercive in the sense the the secure execution is predicated on there only being one PK and the OEMs have to knuckle under to MS just to be considered a "potential" machine that Microsoft allows to run Windows.

>"Linux and other operating systems are piggybacking on the Windows PC standard."

What exactly is the "Window PC Standard"? I have never heard this term before. Linux didn't piggy back on Windows anything. Maybe you mean X86? X86 predates Windows.

unlmtd9y ago

They also want to make hardware that doesn't get them assasinated by the King's agents.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse