| Why you really can't use 'Linux' as a screen name on the Xbox 360 |
Sep. 05, 2007
When the news broke about it being impossible to use Linux as a screen name on the Xbox 360 it sounded like such a Microsoft thing to do. Alas, the real reason why you can't use Linux as a screen name is much more mundane.
The news that you couldn't use, oh say, "Linux Rules" as a screen name on the Xbox 360 online gaming circuit appears to have first appeared on Xbox Scene News. After that, the story spread like wildfire as Xbox 360 users tried it for themselves. Their attempts were met by the error message "Your motto contains inappropriate language. Please try again".
A little more snooping by Xbox Scene News readers found that variations on the Linux theme, such as L inux, Lin ux, and L I N U X also failed to pass muster with Microsoft. Along the way, they also found that Unix and Windows wouldn't work in screen names either.
There was the clue that led your ace reporter to call Microsoft's public relations and ask, "Do you block screen names with trademarks in them." The answer? "Yes, online Xbox 360 Gamertags [aka screen names] may not include trademarked words or phrases."
So, while trademarks aren't explicitly set out in the Xbox Code of Conduct as no-nos, you can't use them. Specifically, Microsoft will come down on you like a ton of bricks if you create a gamertag or motto that other users may be offended by; this includes comments that look, sound like, stand for, hint at, abbreviate, or insinuate any of the following: profane words/phrases; sexually explicit language; sexual innuendo; hate speech (including but not limited to racial, ethnic or religious slurs); illegal drugs/controlled substances; or illegal activities."
Or, "create a gamertag or motto that references controversial religious topics, notorious people, organizations, or sensitive current or historical events that may also be considered inappropriate. Or, "impersonate ... Microsoft employees, moderators or staff members."
In other words, this isn't another example of Microsoft being anti-Linux. For a survey of Microsoft's continuing efforts in that direction see this recent story on Microsoft's FUD wars against Linux. No, this is just Microsoft protecting its legal hiney from lawyers who might object to, say, a team of Xbox 360 players calling themselves the "Legendary Linux Losers" or "Vengeful Vista Victims."
So, with that out of the way, even those of us, like me, who are Linux fans, can buy Halo 3 for our Xbox 360s without feeling any shame.
What's that, Steven using a Microsoft product? Why, yes, yes I am. When it comes to gaming, consoles beat PCs, and while I'm also fond of the PlayStation 3, Halo 3 on Xbox 360 is the best player versus player game around.
You see, despite comments from the peanut gallery about me being a mindless Linux supporter, I'm really a very mindful supporter of what works best. On desktops and servers, that's Linux, with MacOS doing mighty fine as well on desktops. But, when it comes to gaming platforms, Linux is barely in the running.
Darn it.
—Steven J. Vaughan Nichols
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