Trusted Computing Platform Alliance

[coldcupofjoe]

TCPA. Thoughts? Concerns? Don't know what it is?

One's for, ones against.

http://www.againsttcpa.com/

https://www.trustedcomputinggroup .org/home


a good little movie about the subject

http://www.hedonistica.com/archives/2005/09/a_movie_about_t.php

If you can't tell I'm finding more links and posting them when they're good.

http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/~rja14/tcpa-faq.html

[HotWireD]

My thoughts - after a while trying to find out what it is lol...

If I purchase a computer, I want to be able to use whatever software I want on it. I am not talking about pirated software.

If I purchase or build my own computer I want to be able to put my own software and programs on it.

If I write a computer program. I want it to be able to work on any computer. I do not want to have to register it (incurring costs for registration, time delay whilst it is checked (opportunity for some unscrupulous person to make their own version in competition with my program/utility).

What happens if I create an utility and the TCPA decides not to register it - my time and resources will have been wasted. What happens if another utility is already available that does the same/similar thing? Do I find that my software is 'delayed' or 'refused' to enable the other vendors program to get all the sales? ie. Will it be a 'closed shop' system that benefits the people already in the 'club'? Will Microsoft get more than their fair share?

GPL licensed software will suffer. Linux will die, if individuals cannot add/adjust software to meet the new hardware coming out.

Programmers will not be able to cooperate over software for new hardware.

ON THE OTHER HAND.
If it is run fairly, and does not cost any money to register and have your software/hardware added (so long as it is safe), which is unlikely, it would be a great thing.

Please accept that I am not really sure, even after reading the articles, just what it is.

I did note however, that the 'anti' site was clearer and easier to understand. that makes me think it is a bad thing. If the 'pro' sites had wanted me to know what it is about so I can make up my own mind, they would have made their sites more understandable...

<small> lol.

It could nbe the end of computing as I know it, with all standardised computers and software, no more patches for games to m ake them run properly (most games and software appears to be relaesed as 'beta' form to me. No more 'add-ons' made by fans of games and applications...

I like my custom computer and I like listening to my mate telling me how great Linux and other GPL systems are. I do not want a clone of everyone elses computer.

Just to reiterate, I may be barking completely up the wrong tree with this reply lol.

[coldcupofjoe]

Actually you've just about hit the nail on the head. The TCPA is not a good thing. I'm not sure exactly how it would all work but the whole idea scares me. If this were to happen I can see geek wars happening. It wouldn't be a war fought with guns but with code.