Linus Torvalds comments on Windows 8's UEFI Secure Boot - Polidicks

[quote=Neowin] Windows 8 will be released with what Microsoft is calling its Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI). The system is designed to be an extra security measure but some people have complained that having UEFI installed also means that being able to dual-boot to another OS on the same PC, such as Linux, would be harder. A Linux OS provider, Red Hat, announced last week that it has a solution to this issue, saying, "Microsoft will provide keys for Windows and Red Hat will provide keys for Red Hat Enterprise Linux and Fedora. Similarly other distributions can participate at a nominal cost of $99 USD - allowing them to register their own keys for distribution to system firmware vendors." Some Linux users don't like this idea, but ZDNet.com reports that [B]Linus Torvalds, the creator of Linux, sees this plan as a good compromise, saying, "I’m certainly not a huge UEFI fan, but at the same time I see why you might want to have signed bootup etc. And if it’s only $99 to get a key for Fedora, I don’t see what the huge deal is.”[/B] [B]Having said that, Torvalds doesn't believe that UEFI will be as huge of a security deterrent as Microsoft seems to believe it is for Windows 8, saying, "The real problem, I feel, is that clever hackers will bypass the whole key issue either by getting a key of their own (how many of those private keys have stayed really private again? Oh, that’s right, pretty much none of them) or they’ll just take advantage of security bugs in signed software to bypass it without a key at all."[/B] [/quote] [B]Quoting Source:[/B] [URL="http://www.neowin.net/news/linus-torvalds-chimes-in-on-windows-8-and-uefi"]Neowin[/URL] [B]Originating Source:[/B] [URL="http://www.zdnet.com/blog/open-source/linus-torvalds-on-windows-8-uefi-and-fedora/11187?tag=mantle_skin;content"]ZDNet[/URL] ------ Some notes for those who might not already be aware of the situation: Secure Boot only applies to UEFI and not the BIOS. On x86 platforms (Desktop, Laptops, x86 Tablets) Secure Boot is opt-out. Windows Tablets (ARM based) don't have an opt-out option. Secure Boot is always on. The $99 goes to VeriSign not Microsoft.

when i heard about UEFI i almost shat my pants and thought to myself: "Not today windows 8"

Wait, wait, wait. So this actually means that we'll be able to run other operating systems on Windows ARM tablets?

[QUOTE=Ezhik;36290166]Wait, wait, wait. So this actually means that we'll be able to run other operating systems on Windows ARM tablets?[/QUOTE] bloooooooooooooooooooooooooooooop

I don't get this, does each individual have to pay 99$, or does it have to be paid once for the entire operating system?

[QUOTE=Foda;36290186]On ARM Tablets aka the one your Mom buys. Think of it like the iPad: you can't install Windows on it.[/QUOTE] From what I understand, these keys will allow to run other operating systems with the "secure boot" feature on - I just want to know if that applies to ARM tablets

I bet verisign is pleased with this.

[QUOTE=Ezhik;36290223]From what I understand, these keys will allow to run other operating systems with the "secure boot" feature on - I just want to know if that applies to ARM tablets[/QUOTE] Yes, this applies to ARM tablets. It's optional on x86 [QUOTE=DrLuke;36290219]I don't get this, does each individual have to pay 99$, or does it have to be paid once for the entire operating system?[/QUOTE] No, only once.

Fuck, I was worried for a second after reading the thread title from the front page. [quote]Linus Torvalds comm[/quote]

[QUOTE=Foda;36290247]No, only once.[/QUOTE] In this case it's ok for the big distros, but I wonder what happens if you want to put together your own distro and boot into it?

[QUOTE=DrLuke;36290298]In this case it's ok for the big distros, but I wonder what happens if you want to put together your own distro and boot into it?[/QUOTE] If you want to put together your own Linux distro, why would you choose ARM? It's a lot easier to choose x86

[QUOTE=Ezhik;36290223]From what I understand, these keys will allow to run other operating systems with the "secure boot" feature on - I just want to know if that applies to ARM tablets[/QUOTE] Yes. If you get a Windows ARM Tablet you can install Fedora on it (as of now). If Canonical does the same you can run Ubuntu too. Though to be honest if it were me, if I wanted Linux on a tablet I'd get something other than a Windows tablet, or at best an x86 tablet.

[QUOTE=Panda X;36290490]Yes. If you get a Windows ARM Tablet you can install Fedora on it (as of now). If Canonical does the same you can run Ubuntu too. Though to be honest if it were me, if I wanted Linux on a tablet I'd get something other than a Windows tablet, or at best an x86 tablet.[/QUOTE] This is awesome. Of course, I'd rather get an x86 tablet, but still, this is good news, in my opinion.

[QUOTE=Silikone;36290266]Fuck, I was worried for a second after reading the thread title from the front page.[/QUOTE] communist? committed to a mental institution? I don't get anything bad from that [editline]11th June 2012[/editline] [QUOTE=Ezhik;36291032]This is awesome. Of course, I'd rather get an x86 tablet, but still, this is good news, in my opinion.[/QUOTE] I'd rather get a functional computer

I think he was hinting at 'committed suicide'.

Oh. Nope, I wouldn't have made that connection.

[QUOTE=Elecbullet;36292048]communist? committed to a mental institution? I don't get anything bad from that [editline]11th June 2012[/editline] I'd rather get a functional computer[/QUOTE] ARM tablets have their advantages - better battery life, for example.

I think you misunderstood me. I'd tremendously prefer to have a laptop. If I DID get a laptop I wouldn't mind an ARM laptop (do they exist?) because I would not be doing anything strenuous on it. I am a Linux user usually though, so I would be concerned about this Secure Boot shit.

[QUOTE=Elecbullet;36292623]I think you misunderstood me. I'd tremendously prefer to have a laptop. If I DID get a laptop I wouldn't mind an ARM laptop (do they exist?) because I would not be doing anything strenuous on it. I am a Linux user usually though, so I would be concerned about this Secure Boot shit.[/QUOTE] How many builds of Linux even support ARM, let alone drivers for those ARM devices?

Ubuntu apparently. I wouldn't mind using that, in fact it's what I regularly use anyway. I would have to do some research on my laptop beforehand for ARM support. Perhaps it would be better off to just go x86.

[QUOTE=Panda X;36290490]Yes. If you get a Windows ARM Tablet you can install Fedora on it (as of now). If Canonical does the same you can run Ubuntu too. Though to be honest if it were me, if I wanted Linux on a tablet I'd get something other than a Windows tablet, or at best an x86 tablet.[/QUOTE] I just don't see the point in an WoA tablet, slower than x86 tablets, more limited, less software, etc. The only redeeming factor is that the battery should last longer. They'll probably be cheaper though, so I can imagine a load of people buying them. If I was going to use Windows 8, it'd be on an x86 tablet. Going to stay far away from the ARM ones.

Price and battery life are two pretty significant point though. I'd sacrifice performance for a significant amount of battery life; just as I was sacrifice performance for price. I don't think tablets are at a very useful stage yet, but it's understandable that battery life plays such a critical role when it comes to design.