And why would I be wanting to buy this "operating system". People will be trying to convince YOU to buy it any day now. C'mon you Linux guys - we want escape velocity SOON! I hope never to be in a position to EVER have to buy/install this product (or, presumably, any of its successors).(Sad really - DOS 5 was such a nice product :-) ). RM ___________________________________________ >> Windows XP - ray(gun) of light It's here to save the world from the Blue Screen of Death (B-SOD to those in the know) and may just have done that but you have to sell your soul to get it to work. Windows XP launched yesterday (or today depending on where in the world you stand) and along with its built-in firewall, multitude of multimedia devices and Windows 2000-esque stability it also allows you, the user, to send a snapshot of your PC's profile to Microsoft for safekeeping. That way, if you try to flog off your operating system to a friend, they can tell if it's being reinstalled on the same machine or not. Oh, and of course they have a great profile of everyone's hardware. Everyone everywhere. But they won't be using that for marketing at all. No sirree bob. Microsoft's next move, .Net, will see even more of this going on. The software giant has seen the writing on the wall and is moving, along with ever other IT company, it seems, to become a "services" company. Quite what that really means is beyond me, but it seems to involve more money changing hands on a regular basis. Unfortunately, Microsoft's .Net plan has Passport at its heart and this is where all sane folk should throw their hands up in horror. Passport is Microsoft's way of getting you to put all your information in one handy place -- a single log-on for all Microsoft services. Great, you say, I hate typing in all my information over and over again. I agree with you. My PC knows who I am, I've logged on, why on earth does a site that I've been to before need to have all the same information loaded on to it again and again? But think about it for a moment -- Microsoft will have all your demographic information. All of it. Every time you log on to your own software Microsoft will know. Every time you use someone else's software or surf the net or buy something, Big Bill will be told. Microsoft, it must be remembered, isn't so much a software company as a marketing company, and that information isn't going to be governed by New Zealand's privacy-friendly laws, it will be held in the US where it's perfectly acceptable to take someone's details for one purpose (like taking your phone number or email address for helpdesk enquiries) and then sell it to someone else for whatever they want. I'm sure Microsoft will deny this, or rather explain their point of view on it all, but frankly I don't want my demography stored in such a manner. (By the way, Sun et al are involved with another project along the same lines, Liberty.) Microsoft hardly has the best track record when it comes to security of any type but worse than that, they seem to view such information as theirs to do with as they like. This will be a slippery slope - today registering your software, tomorrow having to use Passport to log on to certain software packages, like Microsoft Money or Instant Messaging, the day after having to log on to Passport just to use your PC. The time to stop it is now. Just say no. Microsoft rejects Austrian 'Big Brother' nomination IDGNet http://www.idg.net.nz/webhome.nsf/nl/13665831827491F1CC256AF0000A1282 Activation, anyone? IDGNet http://www.idg.net.nz/webhome.nsf/nl/EF463DE0D54F6C74CC256AE6007234D1 Commission plans no action over Passport IDGNet http://www.idg.net.nz/webhome.nsf/nl/7C8C9FA615DE3B39CC256AE8007E3017 A passport to no online privacy? IDGNet http://www.idg.net.nz/webhome.nsf/nl/984F6A2DD9A8E38DCC256AD200813C6A ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ Here's a bit more ZDNET HITS & HYPE NEWSLETTER ================================================| The week in reviews A quick glance at the latest products to pass through ZDNet Labs. Windows XP. Maybe you've heard of it? With the launch of what was arguably the most-hyped operating system launch of all time, ZDNet Reviews added to its already extensive XP coverage with a review of Microsoft Plus! for Windows XP (short version: Plus! doesn't add much value), and a look at some of the best XP-compatible products on the market. Plus, tell us in Talkback who you think is the bigger sellout: Madonna for selling Microsoft the rights to Ray of Light, or Sting for giving an XP-sponsored concert in New York. Our vote? At least Sting could make the argument that he was supporting New York City in a time of need. Read full story: http://cgi.zdnet.com/slink?156089:4660080 PRODUCTS IN TODAY'S COLUMN ======================================================| Windows XP Windows XP is more than just a pretty face. This top-to-bottom overhaul of the Windows operating system has something for everyone from families to business users. Read review: http://cgi.zdnet.com/slink?156090:4660080 Latest prices: http://cgi.zdnet.com/slink?156091:4660080 Plus! for Windows XP Why pay for a collection of second-rate audio add-ons and desktop decorations when you can find better junk for free on the Web? Skip Plus, unless you're looking for a silly holiday gift for a tech newbie. Read Review: http://cgi.zdnet.com/slink?156092:4660080 Latest Prices: http://cgi.zdnet.com/slink?156093:4660080 -- http://www.piclist.com hint: The PICList is archived three different ways. See http://www.piclist.com/#archives for details.