j.drake,

Thanks for your input. While I agree with what you said in the first 2/3 of your post, it is the latter portion of your post that drives to the heart of my concerns. Suppose companies install this new BIOS (CSS), and those same companies have a web presence, then individuals seeking to do legitimate business with them via e-mail, e-commerce, etc. would automatically become an unsecure source or NOT "trusted", simply because of their legacy hardware - older BIOS or even Non-Microsoft OS.

You're right. The script kiddies can be a problem, but my concern is for those people who choose not to embrace this MS-driven initiative. Now, if Phoenix Technologies were to collaborate with everyone (MS, Apple, Linux, BSD, etc.), then there wouldn't be a problem. As stated in the original post, Microsoft is doing an "end-run" around its competitors with this changeup in hardware. The hardware will soon determine if you are "trusted" or not. The hardware will become the gatekeeper.

Another example might include that of one family member using the new Core System Software and another family member using older BIOS. The family member wishing to correspond (using BIOS) with the family member using CSS won't be able to. Either that person will be rejected once mail arrives at the newer PC, or might even be rejected altogether by their own ISP server or the family member's ISP server. E-mail may not even make it to the other machine.

I just don't like the idea of being "herded" in a particular direction without alternatives. Again, I agree with your assessment regarding system adminstration, but this goes far beyond that, into virtually every niche of computing society.