I legitimately don't understand why Microsoft didn't do this years ago with their Windows Embedded line (e.g. XP embedded, Vista embedded, etc) like you see on ATMs.
I looked into this way back when XP embedded was the latest, and there was a lot of interest but it was "impossible" to licence legitimately (it was for hardware manufacturers only, no tinkerers).
Even many "Live CDs" around that time had technically "illegal" versions of Windows embedded running, that Microsoft never cracked down on (I guess because they were only used for recovery and diagnostics). It is also why Linux "Live CDs" (DVDs/USB sticks) has now become the defacto: All of the same toys but with none of the legal question marks.
As as I said, awesome news. Better late than never I guess. Something really "right" is going on at Microsoft.
Comments
This is awesome news.
I legitimately don't understand why Microsoft didn't do this years ago with their Windows Embedded line (e.g. XP embedded, Vista embedded, etc) like you see on ATMs.
I looked into this way back when XP embedded was the latest, and there was a lot of interest but it was "impossible" to licence legitimately (it was for hardware manufacturers only, no tinkerers).
Even many "Live CDs" around that time had technically "illegal" versions of Windows embedded running, that Microsoft never cracked down on (I guess because they were only used for recovery and diagnostics). It is also why Linux "Live CDs" (DVDs/USB sticks) has now become the defacto: All of the same toys but with none of the legal question marks.
As as I said, awesome news. Better late than never I guess. Something really "right" is going on at Microsoft.