User:Peter Campbell/work in progress/Windows Vista

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[edit] Anti-trust controversy in Europe

The European Union Competition Commission has raised questions with Microsoft about Vista concerning compliance with EU rules intended to allow competition between security providers on the merits of their products. Commission spokesman Jonathan Todd stated "If business and home users are deprived of choice, a security 'monoculture' based on Microsoft products may lead to less innovation and could harm all computer users. Security risks could increase, and not decrease". Todd also stated that "it is Microsoft's responsibility as a "near monopolist" to abide by EU competition rules -in particular, those that prohibit abuse of a dominant market position". Microsoft Chief Executive Officer Steve Ballmer met with EU Competition Commissioner Neelie Kroes in August 2006 to discuss EU concerns. Responding to EU concerns, Jack Evans, a Microsoft spokesman, stated "We still have not received the guidance we're seeking. In July, we received a formal list of questions, but no answers about what specific concerns the Commission has, or how we should address them. We need answers, not questions." Evans went on to state "The bottom line is that we want to launch Vista in a fully lawful manner, and we want to avoid regulatory decisions that could increase security risks for European consumers". There has been speculation that this issue may delay the release of Vista in Europe, but as of September 2006 the Europe release date has not been affected.[1]

[edit] Windows Vista criticism edits

Criticism of Windows Vista security features has included concerns about the security implications of the large amounts of new code, the inclusion of a number of new Digital Rights Management technologies aimed at restricting the copying of digital media, and the usability of the new User Account Control security technology. The Kernel Patch Protection feature (also known as "Patchguard") feature on 64-bit versions of Vista that locks down the OS kernel has been criticised by computer security company McAfee who claim that since PatchGuard also prevents third-party security companies from getting inside the OS, they can't activate crucial security measures in their software to protect the OS from intruders[1]. Microsoft's argument is that this will keep miscreants out of the OS and prevent the incidence of attacks, and it is something for which customers have been asking. Firewall maker Agnitum and others have argued that the Patchguard can be circumvented by hackers and that some security software makers must use similar methods.[2][3] McAfee has also stated that Vista will be even less secure than previous versions of Windows.[2]

Another common criticism concerns the integration of new forms of Digital Rights Management into the operating system, specifically High-Bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) and the Image Constraint Token (ICT), which reduces the quality of high-definition video content if the video card and monitor are not HDCP-enabled.[4]. The criticism against HDCP may be misplaced, however, as it is still unclear as to whether all high definition media will be subject to HDCP protection.[4] In addition, Windows Vista demands monitors with copy-protection for best viewing.[5]

Concerns have been raised about the new User Account Control (UAC) security technology. While Yankee Group analyst Andrew Jaquith believes that critical security vulnerabilities may be "reduced by as much as 80 percent", he also noted that "while the new security system shows promise, it is far too chatty and annoying".[6]. It should be noted that UAC is easily turned off in Windows Vista Build 5384.

Another criticism is a claim by some that Windows Vista emulates specific features in Apple Computer's Mac OS X. Scott Spanbauer of PCWorld jokes about a perceived "striking similarity" between Vista's Aero visual effects, icon design, buttons and those of Mac OS X's Aqua.[7] Vista has also incorporating features which OS X has had for some time such as fast searching and Smart Folders functionality.[8] This has led some to the conclusion that Aero is an imitation of Aqua.[9] Apple highlighted similarities during the keynote presentation at the Worldwide Developers Conference in August 2006, with Bertrand Serlet showing screenshots of Vista and OS X side-by-side.[10] [11] [12] However, several of the features Microsoft has been accused of copying have appeared in early versions of Windows Vista (then called Longhorn). For example, Microsoft showed early versions of Desktop Search and Sidebar in early 2003 and applications like Konfabulator and SuperKaramba existed significantly before Apple's Dashboard.

Considerable speculation and questions about the hardware required to run Vista were eventually dispelled when Microsoft revealed its own requirements and recommendations in March 2006.[13] However, controversy and concerns have arisen over how the increase in hardware specifications required to take advantage of many of Vista's new features may impact both personal and business users.[14][15] While most PCs purchased over the last three years will be able to meet Vista’s minimum “Windows Vista Capable” requirements, many laptops and low-end to midrange desktops with integrated graphics will not be able to meet “Windows Vista Premium Ready” requirements and will therefore not be able to run advanced features such as the Aero Glass interface.[16][17][18]

The European Union Competition Commission has raised concerns about Vista's compliance with EU anti-trust rules intended to allow competition between security providers on the merits of their products. Commission spokesman Jonathan Todd stated, "If business and home users are deprived of choice, a security 'monoculture' based on Microsoft products may lead to less innovation and could harm all computer users. Security risks could increase, and not decrease." Responding to EU concerns, Jack Evans, a Microsoft spokesman, stated, "We still have not received the guidance we're seeking. In July, we received a formal list of questions, but no answers about what specific concerns the Commission has, or how we should address them. We need answers, not questions." Evans went on to state "The bottom line is that we want to launch Vista in a fully lawful manner, and we want to avoid regulatory decisions that could increase security risks for European consumers." There has been speculation that this issue may delay the release of Vista in Europe, but as of September 2006 the Europe release date has not been affected.[19]

Microsoft's Vista pricing has been criticised by some as too expensive. A majority of users in a poll said that the prices of various Windows Vista editions posted on the Microsoft Canada website in August 2006 make the product too expensive[20].

The introduction of licence restrictions on retail buyers legally transfering their copy of Vista has been critised. Microsoft has changed the licensing terms for Vista to allow buyers of retail copies of Vista to transfer their software to a new machine only once[21]. If they want to move their software a second time, they will have to buy a new copy. Separate rules apply will apply for OEM versions of Windows installed on new PCs. In most cases, copies of Windows Vista purchased on a new PC will not be able to be legally transferred[22].

[edit] References

  1. ^ Joris Evers (September 18, 2006). Vista's European battleground. CNET News.com. Retrieved on September 19, 2006.
  2. ^ Agnitum analyzes latest Microsoft security initiatives. Agnitum (July 26, 2006). Retrieved on August 9, 2006.
  3. ^ Joris Evers (August 10, 2006). Windows defense handcuffs good guys. CNET News.com. Retrieved on August 13, 2006.
  4. ^ a b M. Dowler (October 21, 2005). Windows Vista, HDCP and Digital Rights Management. PC Stats. Retrieved on May 8, 2006.
  5. ^ http://www.boingboing.net/2005/08/04/windows_vista_demand.html
  6. ^ Joris Evers (May 2006). Report: Vista to hit anti-spyware, firewall markets. PC World.
  7. ^ Scott Spanbauer (April 2006). Windows Hacks: Vista Comes Into View. PCWorld. Retrieved on May 8, 2006.
  8. ^ John Rizzo (July 31, 2005). Apple's Tiger vs. Windows Vista: Who Comes Out Ahead?. eWeek. Retrieved on May 8, 2006.
  9. ^ Windows Vista resembles OS X. MacNN (March 9, 2006). Retrieved on May 8, 2006.
  10. ^ WWDC 2006 Keynote transcript. macrumors.com (August 7, 2006). Retrieved on August 8, 2006.
  11. ^ Apple takes shots at Vista. Cnet news.com (August 10, 2006). Retrieved on September 1, 2006.
  12. ^ Video of WWDC. youtube.com. Retrieved on September 21, 2006.
  13. ^ Paul Thurrott (March 29, 2006). Finally, Microsoft Releases Windows Vista Hardware Requirements. WinInfo. Retrieved on August 15, 2006.
  14. ^ Mitch Wagner (March 01, 2006). Microsoft Will Stumble On Windows Vista And Office 2007. Informationweek.com. Retrieved on August 16, 2006.
  15. ^ Elizabeth Judge (May 20, 2006). Windows revamp 'too advanced for most PCs'. The Times. Retrieved on August 15, 2006.
  16. ^ John G. Spooner and Mary Jo Foley (August 5, 2005). Will Your PC Run Windows Vista?. eweek.com. Retrieved on August 15, 2006.
  17. ^ Luke Peters (July 18, 2006). How Vista will affect notebooks. Personal Computer World. Retrieved on August 15, 2006.
  18. ^ Jeff Rosado (September 15, 2006). Microsoft opens up Customer Preview Program (CPP) for Vista public testing on September 15th, 2006. PRO-networks.org. Retrieved on September 15, 2006.
  19. ^ Joris Evers (September 18, 2006). Vista's European battleground. CNET News.com. Retrieved on September 19, 2006.
  20. ^ Stan Beer (August 30, 2006). Windows Vista too expensive says users. ITWire.com. Retrieved on October 19, 2006.
  21. ^ http://www.boingboing.net/2006/10/13/vista_license_only_l.html
  22. ^ Ina Fried (October 16, 2006). Microsoft limits Vista transfers. CNET News.com. Retrieved on October 19, 2006.
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