Draconian DRM Revealed In Windows 7 1127
TechForensics writes "A few days' testing of Windows 7 has already disclosed some draconian DRM, some of it unrelated to media files. A legitimate copy of Photoshop CS4 stopped functioning after we clobbered a nagging registration screen by replacing a DLL with a hacked version. With regard to media files, the days of capturing an audio program on your PC seem to be over (if the program originated on that PC). The inputs of your sound card are severely degraded in software if the card is also playing an audio program (tested here with Grooveshark). This may be the tip of the iceberg. Being in bed with the RIAA is bad enough, but locking your own files away from you is a tactic so outrageous it may kill the OS for many persons. Many users will not want to experiment with a second sound card or computer just to record from online sources, or boot up under a Linux that supports ntfs-3g just to control their files." Read on for more details of this user's findings.
Re — Photoshop: That Photoshop stopped functioning after we messed with one of its nag DLLs was not so much a surprise, but what was a surprise: Noting that Win7 allows programs like Photoshop to insert themselves stealthily into your firewall exception list. Further, that the OS allows large software vendors to penetrate your machine. Even further, that that permission is responsible for disabling of a program based on a modified DLL. And then finding that the OS even after reboot has locked you out of your own Local Settings folder; has denied you permission to move or delete the modified DLL; and refuses to allow the replacement of the Local Settings folder after it is unlocked with Unlocker to move it to the Desktop for examination (where it also denies you entry to your own folder). Setting permissions to 'allow everyone' was disabled!
Re — media: Under XP you could select 'Stereo Mix' or similar under audio recording inputs and nicely capture any program then playing. No longer.
windows, meh (Score:5, Funny)
Boy am I glad that I finally took the plunge. Learning about the mac, messing with ubuntu. It took a long, long time to wean myself off but I've finally kicked the habit. I'm just so grateful there are alternatives. Up to recently I felt like a battered wife, hating Windows but still using it. Such a relief. (not trying to troll, just stating how I feel. For those who want to stay on Windows, my condolences.)
Looking forward to Windows 8 (Score:2, Funny)
After Vista drove me to Linux, I was considering giving Windows 7 a chance, but news like this means I'll probably skip it and wait for Windows 8.
I guess I'll have to keep the XP machine I use for games running a little while longer.
The "True Name" of Windows 7 (Score:5, Funny)
I'm beginning to think ... and hope ... that the "True Name" for Windows 7 is really going to be "Windows Chapter 7." Wouldn't that be nice?
Re:Yes, and no. (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Proof? (Score:5, Funny)
some evidence before we scream and yell to the rest of the world?
You're new here, aren't you?
You CAN take control of the Local Settings folder! (Score:5, Funny)
Open a Windows Explorer window, navigate to the directory, right click on the it, select Properties, go to the resulting Security tab, and click the Advanced button contained there.
Click Edit, select "Administrators" from the list of potential owners, click the Replace owner on subcontainer and objects checkbox, then click the OK button.
After a couple minutes you'll be presented with a Window informing you that you need to close all property dialogs for the ownership changes to be visible. Follow this advice by clicking the OK button in the File Properties window and you should now be back at the Windows Explorer window you originally opened.
Right Click on the directory again and select Properties one additional time. Go to the Security tab, and click the Advanced button again also.
Click the Add.. button in the Permissions tab, type in Administrators as the name (ensure your Local Computer domain is selected), and select Full control from the list of available permissions. Click OK out of the Permission Entry dialog, select Replace all existing inheritable permissions on all descendants... then click OK from the Advanced dialog.
After a couple minutes you should once again be back at the File Properties dialog. Feel free to click OK and close Windows Explorer.
Re:windows, meh (Score:3, Funny)
So, let me get this straight. You wanna use SATA RAID and you demand it be easy to use. Good luck with that.
Aww, aren't you (Score:2, Funny)
Re:A DRM ban clause should be added as a constitut (Score:3, Funny)
Windows 7 is the greatest thing since sliced bread. The most secure and fastest O/S Microsoft has ever released.
Oh come on.. They only released a beta recently. You can't really tell if it's that bad yet.
Re:A DRM ban clause should be added as a constitut (Score:5, Funny)
MS's yearly net profits exceed the entire gross revenues of either the recording or movie industries.
Aha! Proof that you damn kids with your pirating and your torrenting of bits and your, your, your... downloading... are costing them googles of money. Once Microsoft implements their perfect plan to keep you kids off the RIAA's lawn for good, their revenues will triple, or quadruple, or gazoople... or something.
Re:A DRM ban clause should be added as a constitut (Score:4, Funny)
Makes you wonder if the tail is really the *AAs and perhaps not some other group or agency that has friends in high places. Of course, it's conspiratorial for me to say anything like that.
It's the lizards. It's always the lizards.
Re:A DRM ban clause should be added as a constitut (Score:4, Funny)
Makes you wonder if the tail is really the *AAs and perhaps not some other group or agency that has friends in high places. Of course, it's conspiratorial for me to say anything like that.
It's the lizards. It's always the lizards.
You anti-amphibites make me sick.
praetorians had armor, we have... (Score:5, Funny)
*pulls up his belt and adjusts his pocket-protector for maximum volume*
I am ready, captain!
Re:Congrats kdawson I'm officially done with slash (Score:1, Funny)
Honestly, I truly believe that the entire editing staff of Slashdot just doesn't give a shit anymore. They're like a bunch of coked up fallen rock stars going through the motions until their next shipment of heroine comes in.
Taco, man, what the hell happened to you? It used to be about the news for nerds, the stuff that mattered, man, but now its its just about the next hit, the sourceforge blow. How the mighty have fallen, man, how the mighty have fallen.
Re:...as a constitutional amendment (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Virtual machine (Score:4, Funny)
The file table can be used to snoop on your files, and it is clear that it must be removed for the security of his computer.
Re:No it wouldn't (Score:2, Funny)
it may finely be the thing
If you're going to drop a syllable from "finally", contract it as "fin'ly". "Finely" means something else.
I'd advise dropping "mater" from your spelling checker's dictionary as well as it is rarely what you'd intend to write ("wether", a castrated ram, is already deleted from mine).
Re:No it wouldn't (Score:2, Funny)