Linux Xbox Project Seeks Microsoft Signature

[wessman]

Linux Xbox Project Seeks Microsoft Signature
from the when-pigs-fly dept.
posted by chrisd on Wednesday February 19, @18:28 (linux)
http://slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=03/02/19/2322231

silvaran writes "We've had several Microsoft posts, and here's [1]another, from [2]CNet News. The team behind the XBox port of Linux is seeking a digital signature from Microsoft to approve the XBox Linux project. This would allow it to run on an unmodified XBox. According to the article, "Microsoft will be eligible to apply for an [3]award under this scheme if they approve Xbox Linux as a normal Xbox program."

Links:
1. http://news.com.com/2100-1040-985154.html
2. http://news.com.com/
3. http://news.com.com/2100-1040-978957.html


Xbox Linux group seeks Microsoft seal
By David Becker, Staff Writer, CNET News.com
February 19, 2003, 12:01 PM PT

The group of programmers working to run Linux on Microsoft's Xbox video game console is seeking the software giant's seal of approval.

In an open letter sent to Microsoft, the organizers of the Xbox Linux Project requested that the software giant "sign" its Xbox version of the open-source operating sytem.

Microsoft's electronic signature would allow the software to run on an unmodified Xbox. Currently, an Xbox must be outfitted with a "mod chip"--a gray-market add-on that overrides security features in the console--to run Linux or any other unapproved software. Microsoft has pursued a variety of legal and technical means to thwart mod chips, on the grounds that the devices aid software piracy.

"We would strongly prefer that our users did not have this extra complex step of opening their Xbox and fitting extra circuitry before they can run Linux or other programs," the letter says.

"Because of Microsoft's deliberate design choices in terms of restricting the software that may run on an unmodified Xbox to 'Microsoft approved only,' coming to ask Microsoft, and presumably paying Microsoft, is currently the only way we can get our port of the GNU/Linux OS to interoperate with an unmodified box," the letter says. "Unkind people might characterize this as a second deliberate monopoly created by Microsoft even as they were being found guilty of creating an illegal monopoly in operating systems software."

A Microsoft representative said that the security features and specialized operating system used in the Xbox were necessary to protect against software piracy. "It's designed the way it is to protect the (intellectual property) of our game developers and our partners," the representative said.

Hackers have been tinkering with the Xbox since the day it went on the market, inspired by the PC-based design of the console, which uses a standard Intel Pentium processor and other common PC components. Programmers have developed media players, software emulators and other unauthorized programs for the console, along with several versions of Linux and affiliated open-source software.

Michael Robertson, founder of Linux company Lindows, is sponsoring a $200,000 contest to bring Linux to the console. The first half of the contest has already been won, but the second part of the challenge--running Linux on an unmodified Xbox--is still up for grabs.

The Xbox Linux Project letter notes that Microsoft could score some extra cash by signing the group's software. "You may not be aware that Project B of the Xbox Linux prize includes up to $100,000 for a person or company which allows Xbox Linux to boot on an unmodded box," the letter says. "Microsoft will be eligible to apply for an award under this scheme if they approve Xbox Linux as a normal Xbox program."

British programmer Andy Green, one of the organizers of the Xbox Linux Project, said the letter is a sincere attempt to sway Microsoft.

"The letter is a genuine request for Microsoft to consider allowing Xbox Linux to run on the Xbox without discriminatory extra effort needed on the part of the user," he said in an e-mail interview.

"We decided to actually ask Microsoft because up until now we have had zero contact with them, despite trying to reach out once before, as we describe in the letter," Green said. "We can see from feedback that it is being widely seen as a brave attempt at a lost cause, but we're not so sure. Nobody knows for sure what Microsoft's response to us and our concept of a Microsoft-approved Linux will be until we ask and get a reply."

Green said he and other project participants hope Microsoft may become a little more obliging in light of recent antitrust actions.

"Xbox Linux's situation is plenty more discriminated against than Netscape with their Navigator browser and Sun's Java," he said. "These guys could at least run their stuff on the PCs without us having to reverse-engineer their cryptographic locks and the user having to fit new equipment to it."

Lindows CEO funds Xbox hacking contest
By David Becker, Staff Writer, CNET News.com
January 2, 2003, 1:47 PM PT

Michael Robertson, CEO of software company Lindows, has revealed himself as the formerly anonymous donor of $200,000 in prize money in a contest to translate the Linux operating system to Microsoft's Xbox video game console.

The revelation was made in a posting earlier this week on the Xbox Linux Project site at SourceForge, a site for collaborative development of open-source software projects. Robertson disclosed his identity as the person funding the contest and extended the deadline.

Robertson confirmed the SourceForge posting in an interview Thursday with CNET News.com, saying he funded the contest not for business goals but to promote open access to technology. "There is no business justification; that's not why I did it," he said. "I did it because I thought people should have the choice to run the software they want on the hardware of their choice...I don't think when you buy a car, they should be able to tell you what brand of gas to put in it."

Robertson said Microsoft's efforts to close off the Xbox are particularly alarming because the game machine is based on the same type of Intel processors used in PCs. Restricting access to the processor sets a dangerous precedent, he said, particularly as Microsoft moves forward with its Palladium project to boost the security of PCs by linking future versions of the Windows operating system with Intel and Advanced Micro Devices processors.

"I think the Xbox sets a dangerous precedent," he said. "I think there's a battle here try to pull this open Intel architecture into a closed world--that's where Microsoft wants this to head."

The project was announced last July with prizes of $100,000 each for the first developer to accomplish two goals. The first challenge was to get Linux running on an Xbox, a goal that has already been met by several developers. The project team expects to divvy up that prize money among several hackers this month, according to the site.

The second challenge, to run Linux on an Xbox with no hardware modifications, has been more of a struggle. To date, hackers wanting to run unauthorized software on the Xbox have needed a console outfitted with a "mod chip," gray-market add-ons that defeat security measures built into the machine. Microsoft has used a variety of legal, technical and other measures to defeat mod chips.

Running software without a mod chip could require hackers to crack the Xbox's built-in software to the point where it could be booted from a homemade disc, as hackers managed to do with Sega's now-defunct Dreamcast console.

Both Xbox Linux contests originally were set to expire last Monday, but Robertson extended the deadline for the second part to encourage development projects. "Michael Robertson has decided to extend the deadline for part B for another year," according to the SourceForge posting. "We are already preparing new open-analysis tools. Any experienced hacker is welcome to join the effort."

Robertson first came to prominence several years ago as founder of digital music site MP3.com. After selling the site, he started Lindows, which aims to sell a streamlined version of Linux for the average PC user.

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