I was posting on the blog http://www.dvorak.org/blog/?p=5909 on a Post about "Linux compliant PCs in Taiwan" and suddenly became aware of a new "feature" the Industry is planning to drop on us. Trusted Computing Modules.
These are in brief, hardware locks to prevent your hardware (you know, the one you paid for...) from running code you're not supposed to (like P2P, DVD rippers, and uhhh... Virus...) or listening to non DRMed mp3.
It's easy to see that if all goes according to the pundits desires, your machine will be turned into a Redmond zombie (and Cupertino, for that matter )
Is there a way out?
Can Linux work around this? Or is there a future on Linux?

Let's hope so or we are all fux0r3d.

Trusted computing modules? Is that before or after the first 640k of memory?

I gotta figure that everything that can be done now doesn't require a trusted computing module, so if they're going to make them a requirement, they're going to have to con everyone else into making hardware that supports them.

I'm just thinking about all the great benefits hardware-based copy protection has brought us in the past, the new features, the speed increases, the transparent ease of use...

I can't imagine Linux will put up with it, and I can't imagine hardware manufactures will flock to a standard that doesn't do anything to enhance the performance of their product, particularly if the public gets hip to what its being sold. Maybe I have a bit more faith, but I'd still trust a bunch of kids with egos to feed over a bunch of old-boy's network types who can't do much more than pay for someone else to develop the technology for them.

Look at Sony. You've gotta figure somebody conned those guys into thinking they'd get away with it, at least...

Joao,

The only way to keep our systems open is to hope that more countries such as Taiwan decide to use Linux instead of Windows or OSX.  For those that aren't aware, one of the reasons Apple moved to the Intel platform was to be able to benefit from TCM and DRM implementations.  Now Apple will be able to dictate that your Itunes songs can only be played on TCM supported platforms.  Forget playing them on Linux, or even older PCs as the older PCs WONT have TCM and DRM built in. 

As you can guess, the hardware makers are all for this as they expect it to drive up sales.  The RIAA, MPAA, etc are all for this as it will give them tighter control over what you are able to do with your machines.  Microsoft is all for this as it will give them total lock on the industry since they are working on the TCM specs with Intel and the DRM specs with everyone involved.

What this means is that Intel and Microsoft will get to decide if Linux is a viable OS for your PC.  And how do you get to be an approved OS for TCM? Pay for the licensing.

I have written my members of Congress requesting that they vote against any bill that supports giving any company control over hardware and software that I own.  Their response has been "we will keep your concerns in mind when reviewing these bills."  Read that to mean that they are ALSO keeping in mind the concerns of the companies that have VERY deep pockets.

Thorndike.

Well, Taiwan is in a very good position to do that, since it develops and builds almost all of the components of a PC, mainly motherboards. In a world locked down by hardware, Taiwan has a very good chance of legislating their way out of TCM. When push comes to shove, they have the means to stop using Intel or AMD chips. And mainland china too, but that's another story, since TCM it's a dream come true to their "Fearless leaders". Europe, or the EC, could do something about this, but I'm afraid it won't. There's simply not enough hardare being developed here to make a difference. Emerging economies, such as India or Brazil, on the other hand, can make a huge difference. And is to their  benefit to adopt and encourage Linux all around.
I guess that in a world so upside down as ours, the nations that foster free enterprise are the ones that will, in the end, promote TCM. All because of Big Business. When the likes of RIAA and MPAA with their big pockets start running, effectively, the government... And not only US gov. There are signs around: France caved under Apple, and Sweden made a pathetic show of force against the pirate bay, no doubt inticed by the white house...
And the ones emerging are really the ones that benefit to turn down restrictive and "colonialist" projects like this.

Windows Genuine Advantage.
A bullshit phrase hiding a program that millions will install without thinking or knowing.
Welcome to TC.