I’ve been really busy with exams and other things. But I think I might share what I wrote for today.

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Today 93 years ago the guns of the Western Front fell silent after a German Surrender, that had taken many lives with four long years of continuous warfare. The ANZACs along with other Allied countries had continued to drive the German invaders backwards. After having endured heavy loses in the previous four months, the Germans called for an armistice (suspension of fighting) in order to secure a peace settlement. They accepted the allied terms of unconditional surrender and the armistice became effective at 11am the same day, and the guns fell silent across the vast Western front, and four years of fighting ended. Now, this day has attained a very special significance. The moment when fighting ceased on the Western Front has now become associated with the remembrance of all the men and women who have perished in the war. This first world war brought about the deaths of between 9 and 13 million people. The biggest casualty toll in a death ever before that date. As many as one-third of the perished soldiers have been left with no know grave, their families left with nothing to remember. Lest we forget. The allied nations chose this historically significant day for respect and commemoration of our casualties. At this very moment, we pause to remember the men and women who have died and suffered in all wars, conflicts and peace operations. Lest we forget.

Due to the complications with my Nvidia graphics card I have been using the sandybridge internal graphics chip by Intel. I have previously criticized using this for any other purpose than simple word-processing and web browsing. But now, the new sandybridge graphics are able to handle light to medium 3D gaming and all 2D tasks you can throw at it. I’ve been using this on Linux with no problems, I’ve played Alien-Arena and Mania-drive on this card and I always get decent frame rates.

My finger is still healing, so i’ll finish with the following statement: I’d highly recommend the internal chip for your new laptop any-day.

Do we want this? Do we need this? (Public Domain Image)

This is a repost of this content which is a rehash of this and this which was written by me, I can’t re-write it because I cut my left finger open. (Right hand typing FTW!) Without further to pain my hand:

This article was originally sent on the Linux Users of Victoria (LUV) mailing list by Luke. After emailing Luke, he has release the below as public domain:

It as part of the Windows 8 OEM scheme Microsoft requires the OEM’s to lock down the computer to only run windows 8 or other “authorized” OS’es via a signature system for “security” reasons.

Put simply, Microsoft as part of their OEM system require all new computers shipping with windows 8 to use secure signing keys to prevent “unauthorized software” from running on the computer. This will prevent all free software operating systems from running on the
computers that come with OEM by default.

So, we need YOU to stand up for Linux in Australia (and other countries)!

Simply follow these easy steps:

1. Click this link: here (Not in australia? Contact your local consumer protection agency!)
2. Fill out your concerns (find a reference letter below that you are free to copy / use).
3. Submit with Personal Information (this is a real complaint, and the ACCC requires this information to possibly verify it is legitimate).
4. Tell your friends to do the same.
5. (optional) Forward this to your favorite Linux Mailing List.
6. (optional) Phone the ACCC a 1300 302 502 or your local consumer protection agency.

Here is the reference letter:

Important!
ACCC seems to be sending Canned responces, please, when you recieve a response, reply to it… and reply to it again! Thank you!

To ACCC

I have recently learned that any new computer or laptop that ships with the upcoming Windows 8 Operating System will not be able to run any other Operating System. Microsoft’s new UEFI Secure Boot system prevents ‘unauthorized software’ from running on any new computer sold with Windows 8. Making a system that ships with only Microsoft Windows will remove the ability to boot a copy of Linux or any other operating system. I wish to use Linux on future computers, and this will not allow me to use Linux at all. Microsoft is engaging in seriously anti-competitive behaviour by forcing the lockout of all competitors – see: http://www.itwire.com/opinion-and-analysis/open-sauce/49889-will-windows-8-succeed-in-locking-out-gnulinux

Not only will Microsoft kick out Linux off the computers, they will prevent ‘upgrading’ of windows versions: creating forced obsolescence. I am disgusted, is Microsoft legally allowed to do this? Microsoft has been slowly becoming more anti-competitive: computing used to be about choice, allowing the user to choose what Operating System they wish to run, not the companies selling them such computers. Now Microsoft wants to have complete control.

Regards,
[insert your name here]

So, Even if you don’t live in Australia please voice your concerns to your local consumer protection / fair trade organization! Now, i’ve cut my finger so I can’t rant at the moment. (Which most would consider a good thing. )

me@luke.asia

I purchased an SE Xperia X10 and I am very happy with the product, It has a very good build quality. I’ve dropped it and it took the fall very well (no scratches yet!). I am using the phone now to write this post, the screen size is big enough to write with and overall a great phone.

me@luke.asia

Summary: It’s obvious that Microsoft claiming security, will be *trying to* stop Linux, BSD and all other operating systems from _infecting_ Windows 8 PCs.

Tony Mangefeste from Microsoft has pointed out that we have been criticizing their actions in regards to ‘protecting’ Microsoft Windows 8 PCs. As Steven Sinofsky (also from Microsoft) points out “There have been some comments about how Microsoft implemented secure boot and unfortunately these seemed to synthesize scenarios that are not the case.”
Microsoft claims that the UEFI system they use is to create a secure boot environment while allowing the user “full and complete control over [their] PC”. They then go back on this statement later in the article. One thing to hold in mind is they never once mention the L- word.

Here is their run-down:

Source: http://blogs.msdn.com/b/b8/archive/2011/09/22/protecting-the-pre-os-environment-with-uefi.aspx

As you can see they have not included anything that points towards disabling of this ‘security measure’,  They point out that Secure Boot is a UEFI protocol not a Windows 8 Feature and that Secure boot is a feature of the Windows 8 boot architecture. So, it’s contradictory statements day, I must have missed the memo.

They show the current BIOS boot path. it starts any OS loader, even malware linux.

Then they show their plan for a future release, note that it will only boot a verified OS loader, such as windows 8.

This clearly shows that Microsoft plans to prevent any other OS loader from booting and there is NO obligation for OEMs to allow you to turn off secure booting. Malware (Linux) can not switch the boot loader.

As omgubuntu.co.uk points out, this new ‘security feature’ may put potential new users of Linux off? “You want me to disable a _security feature_ so I can boot into this Linux thing?”

Two FUDs for the price of one! Firstly, you won’t know if you can disable secure boot. Secondly, new users will be asking why you need to disable ‘secure boot’.

You can help, please send an email to (or better yet, phone and pester) your local Consumer Protection agency such as the ACCC to explain the problem and ask for action to be taken. Microsoft clearly see Linux as a threat now, they will try to squash us, we are now stronger than ever and we need to affirm this strength!

The final irony is that Microsoft are blocking Linux and other operating systems due to ‘security reasons’.

What do you think, are you preparing your lawyers or do you think this whole issue will blow over?
Feel free to comment below.

Nothing to see here, move along.