Quote:
Originally posted by KamisoriX@Oct 4 2006, 12:24 PM
it would be enough if they would make more open source OS compatibility. That's all there is to it. then i would live happy with linux. sure, the more there is the harder it is to develope for them all. But we can say that linux is a well recognized alternative by now but they can't even get things working for apple OS so i don't see a future there unless it's DIY or using someones scrips which is also getting sparce lately. Well, MS is the monopol and they do as they please without anything able to stop them, for now. DRM is a part of TCPI and the structure of certifide prgs only is based on it. And it is not only software but hardware as well. if you play an old game that is not on the lest the graphic card won't prcess it even it could.
As it stand I'm against it as a regular user because it limits my controll over my things. For you as a Dev representative it appears to be good since you can make sure all the copies that are played are paid for. The thing is that this is limited to you as comercial industry but not for the freeware com.
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I think you make a few good points. Yes, MS does have a monopoly on the market. It always has. I don't see them willingly giving up their market share either. Linux is well established and known, as you say. But ultimately, what is required is that gamers and computer users make the shift away from Windows towards Linux or Apple (a matter of choice, not DRM). However, there is a danger there in that hackers attack Windows because it is the most popular. A lot of them do it out of hate for MS.
But, hacking has also attracted the real criminal element that do it for profit and to steal information. Most of this activity is directed at Windows but the attacks on Linux are growing. So as Linux grows in popularity, will it be able to withstand these attacks? Especially as its source code is fully available? It has done a pretty good job of staying under the radar for now but as it becomes more popular, it will become more hack-worthy.
Now as for why games are not made for Linux, I think it really is a question of cost effectiveness. Does the expense justify the reward. I think I remember Neverwinter Nights being available on Apple (but not the toolset) and I think they covered Linux too. But it has been a long time since I read about that so I am not sure. I think I remember lots of talk around patch time about the Linux version of the patch.
As for old games on newer systems, we see that right now with our old and free title SWINE. Some folks with the latest vid cards have problems because their cards are too advanced for a simple game. Sounds nutty doesn't it. But we had this case a few months ago with a fella who downloaded SWINE and couldn't get it to work. All that added functionality...
Freeware: I would assume that anyone (pro or volunteer) could make software for Vista. I am aware of the exception which is the programs that install to the core. But I think that all is equal here, at least in terms of games. Now when it comes to antivirus, you might find yourself in a trickier situation. Maybe Norton will be the only AV program to work with Vista (another monopoly). So you are probably right about any program that requires access to the core. But games should be ok.
Edit: Spelling