Greetings. ZDNET is reporting that Microsoft and Phoenix Technologies, the 800-lb gorilla of PC BIOS makers, are working to integrate key Windows functions into the BIOS itself.

Such a pairing carries the potential of creating an "unholy alliance" that could doom users' ability to control their own systems to the degree they do today. What's more, the impact on Linux could be disastrous, depending on the details and openness of the implementation. On the other hand, the Digital Rights Management folks must be chomping at the bit with the mere prospect of getting their hooks down that deep into the PC hardware.

Yes, this is pretty geeky stuff, but it's something that all computer users need to be concerned about, and needs to be monitored very closely. The potential for us all to be seriously shafted is very real indeed.

--Lauren--