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22 October, 2002

First Microsoft Smartphone

Orange launched the world's first mobile phone running Microsoft Windows-powered Smartphone 2002 software yesterday evening at a truly global event at London's Old Billingsgate Fish Market.

  • Click here to see a photo of this amazing device (NOTE: It's a joke).

Posted on 22 October, 2002

Janis Ian: USA Today Editorial

Singer Janis Ian is one of a handful of recording artists who have gone on record (so to speak) against the RIAA. She's made her views known at her web site, and now she might reach a larger audience via her editorial in USA Today. Just a few quotes:

  • If a record executive says he will make me more money, I'd immediately protect my wallet.
  • Attacking your own customers because they want to learn more about your products is a bizarre business strategy.
  • The RIAA's claim that the industry and artists are hurt by free downloading is nonsense.
  • I am not advocating indiscriminate downloading without the artist's permission. Copyright protection is vital. But I do object to the industry spin that it is doing all this to protect artists. It is not protecting us; it is protecting itself.

Posted on 22 October, 2002

Microsoft Takes Top Honors

Microsoft was voted the "weasliest company" in a poll of readers at dilbert.com. Microsoft snagged an amazing 39% of the vote. Runners up: WorldCom, Arthur Anderson, and Enron.

Congratulations to Microsoft!

Posted on 22 October, 2002

DRM: Know What You're Getting Into

Digital Rights Management (DRM) is a hot topic these days, and it will play a huge role in the future of entertainment and computing (e.g., "Palladium").

DRM consists of a variety of technologies that attempt to limit access, copying, printing, altering, sharing, and saving of files. The term is most commonly used to describe methods that enable the secure distribution, promotion, and sale of digital media content on the Internet. Microsoft provides a good overview of the various processes involved in their implementation of DRM.

To me, DRM presents two significant problems that make it an unacceptable solution:

  • It takes away the consumer's "fair use" rights. The media file and license are tied to a particular computer (not to a person). If the user copies the media file and license to a different computer, the file will no longer play because the license does not match the original computer. If you purchase DRM-crippled music, you can't burn it to a CD for use in your car. In other words, there are severe usage restrictions on the media that you purchase -- restrictions that don't exist with traditional media such as CDs and DVDs.
  • There is no guarantee that DRM-crippled products will continue to be usable in the future. You'll find lots of information at microsoft.com about DRM, but the vast majority is geared toward the content providers. The following important questions remain unanswered:
    • Will the current DRM license servers be in existence for the next 20 years? For the next five years?
    • Software eventually becomes obsolete. Will current DRM media be compatible with future DRM enhancements?
    • Will content always be playable if the system that's tied to the license does not have Internet access?
    • What recourse does a consumer have if the license for purchased digital content is revoked by the content provider?
    • What happens if a consumer replaces Windows with Linux? Will the media files be rendered useless?
    • How responsive will content providers be when licensing problems arise?
    • What if there's a licensing problem and the content provider goes out of business?
    • What types of personal information will be required when purchasing a product that requires a DRM license?
    • Unwanted DVD can be sold. Can consumers do the same with unwanted digital media that they've purchased?

I suspect that the big media companies (and Microsoft) are banking on the fact that the consumer market will not fully understand the ramifications of DRM. It's very likely that computer users will rush to download the latest and greatest Windows Media Player Series 9. Microsoft has hyped this product in a big way, even though it's still in beta (and a very bug-ridden beta that cannot be uninstalled). Consumer will be impressed with the bells, the whistles, and the ability to apply different skins and cool visualizations. Before long, WMP9 will dominate the market, Windows Media format will become the "new standard," and the media companies will have a standard platform for their crippled content.

Novice users will spend their hard-earned money to purchase music and movies on-line. And 90% of them won't have a clue as to how DRM works, what they've agreed to, and the rights that they have unknowingly surrendered.

This isn't progress, folks. It's a major step backwards in terms of basic consumer rights. DRM-controlled media is fine for limited-time demos and samples. But a savvy consumer will heed this advice: Don't pay for DRM-crippled media.

Additional reading:

Posted on 22 October, 2002

Random Stuff Generators

Posted on 22 October, 2002

Random Stuff Generators

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Posted on 22 October, 2002