Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

A Look at Google DRM

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the evil-or-not-so-evil dept.

pcause writes "The Register is reporting on Google's recent announcement of their own DRM. From the article: 'Google's DRM will make its first appearance as part of a new video downloading service. Page revealed that customers will be able to buy TV shows from CBS, NBA basketball games and a host of other content with Google serving as the delivery broker for the video. This move mimics other technology companies - most notably Apple - which have struck deals with large media houses to send video over the web for a fee.' "

3 of 532 comments (clear)

  1. Not really. by Virak · · Score: 0, Troll

    Unlike Microsoft, they still offer useful services.

  2. To whoever modded me down... by Virak · · Score: 0, Troll

    Could you please give me one example of something they offer which doesn't have a superior alternative?

    Can't be Windows, as there's no shortage of alternatives there; countless Linux distros, the various BSDs, and OS X, among others.
    Can't be Internet Explorer, as there's plenty of alternatives there too, such as Firefox and Opera.
    Can't be Office, as there's OpenOffice.org, and several others.
    Can't be Hotmail, as there's Gmail, Yahoo (though that isn't much better), and some other smaller but still far better email services.
    Can't be search, as there's Google.

    So do you have an example of something (useful) they still provide which has no alternatives? Or do you just unconditionally mod down people who criticize Microsoft?

  3. Don't be daft, of corse it is... by Dion · · Score: 0, Troll

    All common software becoming Open Source is as natural and certain as gravity.

    There will always be an edge where obscurity allows non-Free software to live, but once the software enters mainstream there will be a limited time before a Free competitor takes over.

    The current situation is quite extraordinary, once proprietary OSs (MS windows in particular) are scoured from the worlds harddrives (yes it may take another 20 years), they will never again be allowed in that space.

    Where Open Source advances it rarely retreats, so OSS market/mind-share will only ratchet upwards, vendors of non-Free software will loosen their hold from time to time and every single time OSS will be there to take up the slack.

    Remember: Software is like sex, it's better when its free.

    --
    -- To dream a dream is grand, but to live it is divine. -- Leto ][