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#38
Originally Posted by attila77 View Post
Not just DRM. Making locked up software on a platform like Linux is just a pain. You'd have to check and verify all distribution/CPU platforms (as you can't trust the community to do this for you). This in itself is one of the major reasons proprietary vendors don't go linux. It's too small of a market, requires too much effort, and in the end, you will be pi**ed upon because you're not open. Also, the developer-to-user ratio in linux is abnormally large compared to windows land and the LIKE to hack and make/break stuff. Sending in a DRM piece of software in there is just putting their heads in the lion's jaws - and to make matters worse, a DRM crack could then potentially be used in other, more 'accepting' and benign platforms.

This applies to kindle on Windows. Actually, the one that makes sense here is Windows Mobile. Largest user base, used to micropayments, small number of hackers compared to the nomber users... Why bother with linux if you can go to such a market ? There are simply largely incompatible business models at play, and that's why DRM doesn't fit open platforms. Remember, you you want the content, not DRM per se. It's just that the publisher is forcing you through DRM hoops as it is part of it's business model.
Originally Posted by attila77 View Post
Not just DRM. Making locked up software on a platform like Linux is just a pain. You'd have to check and verify all distribution/CPU platforms (as you can't trust the community to do this for you). This in itself is one of the major reasons proprietary vendors don't go linux. It's too small of a market, requires too much effort, and in the end, you will be pi**ed upon because you're not open. Also, the developer-to-user ratio in linux is abnormally large compared to windows land and the LIKE to hack and make/break stuff. Sending in a DRM piece of software in there is just putting their heads in the lion's jaws - and to make matters worse, a DRM crack could then potentially be used in other, more 'accepting' and benign platforms.

This applies to kindle on Windows. Actually, the one that makes sense here is Windows Mobile. Largest user base, used to micropayments, small number of hackers compared to the nomber users... Why bother with linux if you can go to such a market ? There are simply largely incompatible business models at play, and that's why DRM doesn't fit open platforms. Remember, you you want the content, not DRM per se. It's just that the publisher is forcing you through DRM hoops as it is part of it's business model.
We had that too on Amiga, IRIX, and what not. We had modchips for consoles. It has always been easy to pirate software and crack software no matter if what is used FlexLM or SecureROM or whatever. It gets harder if the user is not in control of the hardware; but not impossible. Because if you have physical access to the hardware it is just a matter of time and dedication. So it was cracked, and it will always be cracked.

DRM, registration keys, pirate hunting are made to make it harder to pirate, so that its not worth the time and effort. A slick interface to buy a product (such as iTunes) or central market place (such as eBay) and central, instant ways of payment (credit card, PayPal) save time and effort because payment works after 1-time user setup, downloading simply works, searching central repository, installation goes transparantly. Meanwhile, yuo don't want to piss off your customers, so you allow them to play their pirated or unDRMed MP3.

One thing which goes beyond this is something such as subscription services such as online games like WoW. As you and I know this game is popular, even though there is a monthly fee. There is a Linux server for this game, but not a Linux client, while there are Windows and OSX clients. Why not? Market demand, as simple as that. You see the same with open source business models; there is simply market demand for the ability to do in house development while still able to buy commercial support. There is tons of proprietary and commercial software available for Linux as well. Countless examples exist. Embedded, such as TiVo, NIT, TomTom, Sat. Receivers, Cars. And proprietary software is rampant on Linux as well. In fact, any website running Linux kernel with closed source software (e.g. PHP) on their server which you access with a web browser could be seen as proprietary software. It works just fine, right?
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