Updated! HD Playback is back! What do you think?

Update! - Vista x86 WILL support HD content after all?

http://news.com.com/2061-10794_3-6109427.html?part=rss&tag=6109427&subj=news

Apparently the presenter at the Sydney Tech-Ed was 'mistaken.'   Sounds like to me Microsoft listened to all the backlash that they recieved from their customers!  All I have to say is Bravo Microsoft!  Keep it up!

First off, here is a link to the site that broke the story;

http://www.apcstart.com/site/dwarne/2006/08/1139/microsoft-cuts-another-feature-full-hd-playback-in-32bit-vista

So, in summary Microsoft removed protected HD content playback from Vista x86 because unsigned code can be run at a kernel level, or in other words people could hack the copy protection. Do I personally care all that much? Not really per se, as I have been buying only AMD x64 procs for some time now. What does bother me is Microsoft’s new attitude of giving in to whiners and complainers.

    Linux weenies are my favorite example of this. (No, I don’t think everyone who runs Linux is a weenie. I run it on occasion. I am referring to people who worship Linux as the ‘windows killer.’) People who aren’t even Microsoft customers who whine simply for the sake of whining. I love the whole ‘standards’ argument. “Microsoft doesn’t comply with industry standards” is a complaint I hear all the time form this crowd. Sorry guys, a little reality check here. We live in a capitalist free market society. That means whoever controls the market, SETS the standard, not some stupid egg head in a University somewhere that thinks he can rule the industry by fiat simply because he thinks he is smarter than everyone else. Remember the old saying, “If you can’t beat em, join em’?” Well, Netscape and other companies have changed that to “If you can’t beat em’, sue em’”, or “If you can’t beat em’, throw a hissy fit loud and long enough that they cave in just so you shut up.” This I feel is the latest example of Microsoft caving to someone OTHER than their customers, at the cost of their customers. They did this because movie studio’s begged them to so that it will be easier to protect their content. Microsoft, it is not your responsibility to ensure the movie studio’s can protect their intellectual property from the end consumer. That’s their job. They should be the one’s spending the money and R&D resources to make that happen. Now, granted they are doing that but don’t hurt your relationship with your customers to make them happy.

    In closing Microsoft, I would just like to say this. You are the market leader. Leader’s lead by creating products for their customers that fit the needs of the market, not other companies who, let’s be honest would love nothing more than to see your demise. (Uh, haven’t you noticed PC’s are virtually never seen in anything coming from Hollywood? It’s always Apple’s or sometimes Unix.) Pay attention to the desires of your customers, no one else, and lead by doing what you know to be best. Don’t get lead around by people and companies that don’t have your best interests at heart.

So, that’s my thoughts. What do you think?