[Linux-bruxelles] BBC news - Microsoft 'experiments' with XP- temps de passer a Linux/KDE2 pour les windosiens ?

[Laurent Lardinois]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/english/sci/tech/newsid_1284000/1284054.stm

Microsoft is taking a big gamble with the next version of Windows, say
analysts.

Making sweeping changes to Windows to combat piracy, aid industry partners
and help Microsoft move to a new way of doing business could irritate anyone
adopting the software.

Some believe the changes create so many obstacles that many users will be
driven to alternative operating systems, such as Linux, that give them more
freedom.

But they also say that if Microsoft does not make many of these changes it
could find it hard to squeeze more money out of its users and keep the
company growing.

Late this year Microsoft is due to formally launch the next version of its
popular Windows operating system, which will be called Windows XP.



Windows XP follows Windows 2000

The software, called Whistler while it was being developed, will be
available in two versions - one for home users and one for businesses -
built upon the same basic computer code.

XP is a key stepping stone in Microsoft's transition from being a simple
seller of software to a provider of net-based, subscription services. But
many of the features included in the early versions of XP have some analysts
wondering if it will succeed.

"Microsoft is taking a number of steps that from the outside appear rather
draconian and unpleasant," said Dan Kusnetzky, vice president of systems
software research at analysts IDC.

"I'm puzzled in some cases as to why it is doing what it is doing."

MP3

To begin with, Microsoft is limiting what people can do with the music they
create or listen to on their PC. In mid-April the Wall Street Journal
reported that XP will limit the quality of MP3 files it creates. Typically
anyone creating MP3s chooses how good or bad they sound depending on what
they want to do with them. Many sacrifice sound quality when preparing MP3s
for portable players to ensure the gadget can hold a lot of tracks.

But the MP3-creating software in XP performs poorly in comparison to
Microsoft's own audio recording format. Music recorded and played back under
the Windows Media Audio format will take up less space and sound better.

Microsoft claims the change was made to help music industry partners protect
copyrighted tracks, but many see it as a bid by Microsoft to drive people to
its software.

It is a tactic that could backfire, say experts. "I don't think it will
fly," said Carl Howe, principal analyst at Forrester Research. "Microsoft is
taking the view that consumers are too ignorant to download other MP3 makers
that are out there and I don't think that's true."

Mr Howe said the enormous popularity of MP3 on the web shows people are
willing to find, download and install software, as they need it.

Anti-piracy

To help the music industry combat piracy, Windows XP does have the ability
to stop people playing pirated pop. Inside XP is a system called Secure
Audio Path, which ties tracks to the music-playing hardware on your PC. This
software adds noise to music tracks that is removed only when the track is
played through a trusted sound card.

Eventually SAP could be used as a content management system by Microsoft
that will let it make people pay to listen to music. But it is not yet clear
if and when the Secure Audio Path system will start to be used.

Analysts say Microsoft is also taking a risk with XP's anti-piracy system.
When XP is installed as an upgrade it scans a PC's hardware and generates a
"fingerprint" that must be sent to Microsoft, along with the software's
product key, within 30 days of installation. Changing the hardware, by
installing a new graphics card, could stop XP working.

The anti-piracy system is intended to ensure that each copy of XP is used on
one machine. But it could inconvenience businesses that typically upgrade
rather than buy new. It could also annoy home users who have to spend time
convincing Microsoft they are not a pirate. Some might just be making
changes to their PC to ensure that XP runs better on it.

Rental

The biggest change Microsoft users will see turns software from something
you buy into something you rent.

At the moment Microsoft gets its revenue from big upgrades of Windows and
its associated applications. To change this and guarantee more regular
income, Microsoft is turning its software into services users subscribe to.

But this has its risks too. "People are only going to value and keep up with
the subscription if they get something for their money," said Mr Howe. "If
Microsoft does not innovate in user visible ways, that will put real
pressure on the subscription model."

People also may be reluctant to pay for features that they never use and for
upgrades which fix bugs which should not have been there in the first place.

Disgruntled customers could turn to the Linux operating system and use
Win4Lin or Wine software to run their old Windows applications on top of
this rival software.

Hand in hand with these subscription services goes Microsoft's ambition to
become a custodian of the information people store on computer and telephone
networks. For a fee Microsoft will look after this information and ensure it
is accessible from any and all of the gadgets people use to get at bank
details, address books, diaries and documents. But many people may be
unhappy with handing this control to Microsoft.

"It's not at all clear that people will accept these, considering
Microsoft's use of personal information in the past," said Mr Kusnetzky.

"Microsoft has never had an excellent track record on security."


Laurent Lardinois
IT Consultant - DS Improve
http://www.dsimprove.com