Mulling over George Pope to Steve Asher 12 Nov 2006

 SA>     * PUMA: Protected User Mode Audio (PUMA) is the new User Mode
 SA> Audio (UMA) audio stack. Its aim is to provide an environment for
 SA> audio playback that restricts the copying of copyrighted audio, and
 SA> restricts the enabled audio outputs to those allowed by the publisher
 SA> of the protected content[16].

 GP> Of course, here in Canada it's legal to copy CDs, MP3s, etc.,
 GP> because we've paid royalties to the music producers! But I don't
 GP> expect a Canuck version of Vista to provide such legally allowed
 GP> copying access! :P 

It is a valid point - Microsoft should not be in the business of 
restricting legal activities through its operating systems. I'm
not interested in any "nobbled" operating systems, audio, DVD regions,
or even stuff that uses proprietary formats - I can't be bothered
stuffing around with them.

 SA>     * Protected Video Path - Output Protection Management (PVP-OPM) is
 SA> a technology that prevents copying of protected digital video streams,

 GP> How can I copy digital video streams now, in Win98? :P

I don't know - I use '98 for my adsl connection, but rarely bother with
video streams. I'm not in any hurry to replace '98, it runs here OK, &
I have a choice of networked machines & OSs if necessary - OS/2 & Linux.

Cheers, Steve..

---