There is an effort underway in the computer industry, supported and urged by members outside the industry, to restrict how you use your computer. These efforts are being designed by the likes of Microsoft and Intel, and supported by people like the Motion Picture Association of America (MPAA), Recording Industries Association of America (RIAA), and Senator Fritz Hollings of Disney, I mean South Carolina. These efforts are known by monikers such as TCPA (Trustworthy Computing Platform Alliance) and Palladium. For an in depth FAQ on this effort, read Ross Anderson’s thoughts on the subject. This could be a very serious development for digital freedoms.