Well as with most new hardware/software that will inevitably get shoved down our throats (why couldn't they just make linux more user friendly?) I guess the only real choice is to install it, and keep XP there for backup when it fails. I doubt that a lot of new software (commercial of freeware) will keep coming out for XP once Vista has been out for a few months, so the switch is going to happen regardless.
I think I can probably handle the Blu-Ray thing (I don't really see the need for any "extra" quality anyway, I can't tell the difference between regular and HD TV besides the aspect ratio anyway) so they can just get over that. My problem is that a lot of content tends to not need a licence, and since windows media player (when online) can't find a licence for it, won't play it. I've had that happen with a couple of songs I wrote myself.
I'm seriously concerned about where the user comes into play here. I understand the need to protect the rights of the content owners. However, when you buy a "Media Enabled" PC, odds are you are going to want to do more than simply make home movies. (I haven't done that once yet.) You want to use it to watch DVDs and things in your own home. I think the best "security" for the protection of content needs to be something that still allows the content to be delivered full-quality to the
paying end user.
I just think Microsoft should reconsider. Of course, the article didn't exactly mention (unless I missed it) how reliable it's sources were for this info. Perhaps Microsoft simply reserves the right to do this with certain devices, if a weakness is discovered that becomes more than a minor threat?
I also wonder what happens when a game becomes recognized as "premium" content by the drive. Wouldn't that make the game rather un-playable?
I dunno. I guess we simply wait and see... Perhaps I should go install the Vista Beta on my PC to test it out now, just to see what I'm really missing...
-thegamefreak