Microsoft’s new requirement for a signed boot loader for all official Microsoft endorsed OEM hardware, would seem an affront to Linux enthusiasts and hacking in general. However when you consider the current locked down nature of the consumer hardware market, it doesn’t seem likely to change much with many types of hardware making alternate OS installation and hacking eternally difficult. Driver availability and compatibility with Linux is never guaranteed and Microsoft’s continued dominance of PC software and operating systems will always pose a problem for Linux users. The lesson of course is that you should always buy hardware open to modification on both a hardware and software level, if you don’t then you risk being trapped in a software ecosystem.
Let’s not forget we’re living in a so-called ‘post-pc world’ where Microsoft is no longer the dominant force and the devices provided by their newly emboldened competitors range in their hacker friendliness. While the HP Touchpad was easily hacked to run Ubuntu and Android, Apple locked the iPad down hard to keep you in check, or rather ensure your experience was consistent. Microsoft is not the only software company which wants to lock you into the software platform with encryption and drm by the back door, don’t be fooled make sure you have full control over all the hardware you own.
