Does the DRM also control content that is played with non-MS media
palyer software?
Yes. The content is 'protected' in such a way that you need the codecs
to play it. M$ wants to be the only source for these codecs. In order
to install the codecs you have to agree to M$'s DRM (assuming you
haven't found a source for the hacked codecs).
There will be a lot of non-protected media coming out in WMP9 format.
In order to play non-protected media you'll have to have the DRM
installed.
Theoretically, with a company that doesn't have the reputation that M$
has for shady deals, if you stick to all legal protected media or
non-protected media you shouldn't notice a damn bit of difference in
what you want to do. It *should* be seamless except maybe having to
download a new codec or permission. Theoretically.
So, what it basically boils down to is: do you trust Microsoft? I
don't. So, as is my option, I refuse to use any WMP above 6.4. I
refuse to use W2K. I refuse to use XP. I'll continue to use W98SE
until 'the change'. I refuse to use Internet Exploder or Outhouse. I
refuse to use M$'s Office products. I refuse to use *any* M$ software.
After that M$ Multimedia Keyboard and the Trojan I refuse to use any
of their hardware. YMMV.
'The change' refers to having already downloaded and tried the Susie
Live CD (and the Mandrake one). They work. Initially they'll give me
the basics. I'm planning on building a new PC and I'll install W98SE
on it (I have two legal copies), Once it's working I'll delete W98SE
from this one and install Susie Linux on it. Once I have everything
working on it properly then I'll do the same to the new one.