Windows 8 To Natively Support ISO and VHD Mounting 656
MrSeb writes "With a masterful nail in the optical disc coffin, Microsoft has announced that its new operating system will natively mount ISO disc images. On the slightly more enterprisesque side of the equation, VHD files will also be supported by Windows 8. Both new features will be smoothly integrated into Windows 8 Explorer's ribbon menu, and mounting an ISO or VHD is as simple as double clicking the file. This is obviously an important addition with Windows 8 being available on tablets — and in a year or two, it wouldn't be surprising if all software is made available as an ISO on a USB drive which can be read by tablet and PC alike."
been done (Score:1, Insightful)
its new operating system will natively mount ISO disc images...mounting an ISO [...] is as simple as double clicking the file.[/quote]
Another popular desktop OS which shall remain nameless has been doing this since forever.
This is new.. really? (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Sadly, I think Apple might win on this one (Score:5, Insightful)
Linux will still be there, but how many developers will devote resources to Linux development when Apple and MS can pretty much guarantee them a locked-down, piracy-free platform (even if they do take a cut of the action)?
The same people that do it now - for the same cut they take now. Mostly because people working on such products don't want restricted platforms. They enjoy the ability to install what *they* want too. This crap about protecting me from myself and not letting me install {mal,crap,free,whatever}ware is preposterous and an idea I'd happily see put in the bin.
CS101: Programming on paper (Score:4, Insightful)
Even more scary is the possibility that [requiring all applications to have been digitally signed by a device's manufacturer] could become the model for not just tablets, but also PC's in the future.
Then how would computer science education work? Would schools be able to afford $99 per platform per student per year "programmer's licenses", or would schools switch to a model preferred by E. W. Dijkstra [wikipedia.org] in which all programming assignments are done on paper?
About the only thing stopping this now is tradition and bandwidth limitations/download caps.
Given the general failure to expand the single digit GB/mo cap for wireless (satellite and cellular) Internet access in the United States market, I don't see this happening as soon as some alarmists predict.
For that matter, how many hardware developers will be making locked-down PC's that won't even let you install Linux without some hardware hacking?
Given the general trend of opening up, from the BREW model (just slightly more open than a game console, must convince wireless carriers to carry the product) to the Xbox Live Indie Games/iPhone model ($99 per year plus 30% of sales, open to all adult developers in supported countries, approval rules are public) to the old Android model (locked bootloader, but "adb install" allowed and usually also "Unknown sources") to the new Android model promoted by HTC (unlocked bootloader), I don't see this happening as soon as some alarmists predict.
Re:This is new.. really? (Score:1, Insightful)
I'd like to see you double-click to mount an ISO on Linux without any third party software. For that matter, I'd like to see you do *anything* with Linux without any third party software. Booting the kernel without that third-party bootloader isn't so easy. The ability to double-click an ISO on a Linux system relies on a rather lot of third-party software, from the bootloader, to the shell environment, to the windowing system, to the window manager, to the desktop environment, to the file manager...
It's kind of a double-standard, claiming that Windows can't do something without third-party software when any given Linux distro is nothing but a collection of third party software arranged in a certain manner. I love Linux, but fair is fair.
The future is here now, and it is better (Score:4, Insightful)
Even more scary is the possibility that this could become the model for not just tablets, but also PC's in the future. About the only thing stopping this now is tradition and bandwidth limitations/download caps. The days of walking into Best Buy and buying a game or application and getting a physical copy of the software could well be numbered.
You say that like it was a bad thing.
The problem with your assertion tis this; what were you getting with the physical copy that was any different than you get via an online App Store like Steam?
I mean, almost any game that is in a store is ALREADY laden with protection. And frankly that protection is often much more odious than what you get via Steam.
The thing I am sad to lose is resale ability (really the ability to lend a game to a friend), but that lives on in consoles more strongly than in the PC world, and that model is even more locked down than the PC... so I don't see any DIFFERENT danger than what we have already in that regard.
However I am annoyed at losing resale value, the features Steam grants are worth it to consider games as very expensive rentals instead of purchases.
Re: Microsoft. Jack of all trades. Master of none (Score:4, Insightful)
"Masterful"? That'd be like Ford waiting till 2012 to add a reverse gear to their transmissions? I don't think "masterful" is the word I'd pick. "slow cluestick" maybe.
Such innovation! Hold me I feel faint! (Score:1, Insightful)
First new methods for copy and move, then a new file explorer with a 6" toolbar and now mount ISO images? Whoa! There is a company with innovation! Bards, book authors and bloggers will be singing Microsoft praises for such innovations in Windows 8!
Yawn. Now to go back straighten out my sock drawer.
Re:This is new.. really? (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:ISO mounting? (Score:2, Insightful)
Why would you walk your grandmother or parents through a command over the phone when you could just ssh in and type it yourself?
Once again, following Linux's footsteps (Score:5, Insightful)
You know, I have to give Linux all these props, but once again they set the standard only to have Apple copy them and claim innovation. Linux boxes have been mounting ISO images and other image files for well over a decade now.
Re:Explain "Strong and Abusive DRM" (Score:2, Insightful)
No, I can build my own light and plug it into my wall.
UL certification is a safety certification. If it was run by Apple, you wouldn't be allowed to plug in anything they deemed 'offensive', and the would want 30% of everything you buy the plugs into the wall.
It would be like a company having a certification for software that says it safe to use. That is completely different the restricting exactly what you can plug in.
Re:CS101: Programming on paper (Score:3, Insightful)
Simple. CS needs to be more advanced.
Computers 101 - introduction to your computer
Computers 201 - introduction to bios programming
Computers 301 - OS design HURD and Linux
Computers 401 - Legal ramifications of owning a non-blessed computer and how to hide it from the InforMation Technology Ministry.
Re:Sadly, I think Apple might win on this one (Score:5, Insightful)
At some point you have to ask yourself _why_ people have so much "junk" installed on their computers. I'd wager at least part of it is due to the users wanting to install anything they want yet not knowing how to weed out the bad from the good. Saying that the solution (and the one the user wants) is to take that freedom away just seems, silly. If the solution to my family not installing malware/viruses/etc is to totally wall up a garden and only allow them to install pre-approved apps.. you can count my family out, and I'd guess a lot more users as well.
There are times I like to just install small apps that help out with little things (mythtv remote, vlc remote, stock ticker, etc) on my phone. That's fine. Heck, I don't even want to do much more than trivial things on my phone and that works great. But to suggest that that is the only experience I, or even most users want from all computing devices, including their PC?
Sure, many tasks might be replaced by a tablet, or even a phone or console. But for everything else, there is a PC. Unfortunately, with great power comes great responsibility. The PC tool can do a lot and a lot can be done to it (maliciously even) and you have to be educated enough to use it, at least properly. But ok, for those that have no need for one and don't really care about what's going on in the wonderful world of software, a walled garden, Angry Birds experience can also be had.
But I would agree there are quite a few people I know that _should_ be in a walled garden _all_ the time. They simply can't be trusted to not click every single pop-up that says they won something, etc.
Re:Sadly, I think Apple might win on this one (Score:3, Insightful)
Apple already has an App Store for their laptops/desktops. Apple could easily make their next OS ONLY install software from the app store. And the sick thing, is that the apple fan-boys and iReligious nutters will not only accept it, but PRAISE IT!
Re:Sadly, I think Apple might win on this one (Score:4, Insightful)
Just like any other environment, the walled garden is susceptible to crapware of varying degrees. Just because you are apparently too enamored with the idea to pay attention to the reality is no reason to throw away a perfectly good and more importantly FREE as in LIBRE environment.
If the problem is retarded users, then fine, FIX THE FUCKING PROBLEM. If your solution is to lock down the platform and then only give users "approved" software... you are a tool.
Maybe the paradigm shift we need is that not every moron needs a computer. You can fetch your email, stupid pictures and your friends status updates via any connected device. Maybe it's far past time to stop pretending that computers are anything other than highly specialized tools... that 75% of the population doesn't have the first clue how to operate.
Re:Sadly, I think Apple might win on this one (Score:4, Insightful)
Ideally, in a perfectly utopian world, you wouldn't need backups. You purchase the music, software, movie, or whatever one time, and it goes into your account somewhere on a secure server. Forever afterward, you can access the content you paid for. The move wouldn't even have to be stored on that server, only your "token" that licenses you to use the content.
Part of my rationale for downloading music "illegally", is that I've paid for that music, several times over in some cases. It's not MY FAULT that the media has worn out. I paid for music, not vinyl, not tape, not even some optical format. Pay once, listen forever should be a standard in the entertainment and sofware world.