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Apple to Offer Monthly iTunes TV Subscriptions
sg3000 writes "Fans of The Daily Show and The Colbert Report, rejoice! Reuters is reporting that Apple will provide monthly subscriptions to two of Comedy Central's most popular shows. One question, as TV shows become available for sale on the Internet, will this make it harder to share clips online, such as through Google Video? In your answer, ignore facts. Just go with what feels true."
here "subscription" has its tru meaning
Dictionary.com definition
I assume, of course, that the true meaning that you refer to is that part of the perscription that gives directions to the pharmacist? Or perhaps the agreement to purchase stocks? Yes, the word does, in fact, have more than one meaning. For example, many fine arts organizations offer subscriptions to their performances. While technically the word rent would also apply there, you'll find far more people who would say "I got my wife a subscription to this season's Operas at the Foo Peformance Hall" than "I got my wife a rental of this season's Operas at the Foo Performance Hall."
Per part b of definition one, you'll see that online services are increasingly using the term subscription to describe granting of access for a period of time to electronic services. In some cases such as LiveJournal or our very own Slashdot, the subscription grants special rights and priviledges, in others, such as Salon, a subscrtion or temporary pass is needed to read the content. It is also used in terms of cellular subscriptions.
in that you pay for something in advance (at discount) and receive the product periodically when it is actually published.
Not exactly. Subscriptions, the type used to aquire magazines, do not require payment in advance nor are they necessarily at a discount. If you're going to complain that you feel other people are misusing a word, it helps to be more precise yourself.
this is not to be confused with BS "subscription" services which take away what you already have when you stop paying.
So, I sense that you have a dislike for "subscription" music services. Rather than laying out logical reasons for that or presenting a good argument why the dictionary is wrong, you simply churn out a bunch of vitriol, which of course, because you're supporting Apple and against any form of DRM, is a great way to get modded up.
You are quite correct that Apple/Daily show is not a (new) Napster/Rhapsody style plan. What you gloss over is what the grandparent poster aludes to and other people have more clearly stated, is that there is most likely a limit to how many shows Apple can reasonably offer on a ala cart basis before users determine that they're better off with a cable/minidish subscription (ah, that word again) and a TiVo (etc) and transfering saved files to their computer/phone/whatever manually. This leads to the supposition that Apple might at some point begin offering a cable-like experience where users can view on-demand but not indefinitely licensed media. It may or may not be correct, but it is something to consider, and something your post failed to address.
It makes a certain amount of sense for video files, in that they are larger than audio files, and also "consumed" less often. Most people aren't going to watch a Daily Show episode dozens of times like they would a music track, but the ability to pull out a random episode from a month ago to show a friend would be desirable. The recent study that showed that iTunes users tend to purchase fewer and fewer songs after an initial flurry of purchases shows that the concept may be worth Apple considering for music as well - a steady monthly fee of $10 may work out to be better for Apple in the long run than $1/track in a pattern that may drop off rapidly.
I'm glad you're happy with your choice not to use a subscription model music service. However, millions of us are quite happy with them, and choose to use them because they offer a comparative advantage that meets our needs better than an ala carte system. If you or anyone else are curious, I can lay those out yet again. That's the great thing about having a choice - we can both be happy. In the mean time, please brush up on your argument skills before railing about the terrible companies that "take away what [I] aready have when [I] stop paying," when that misrepresents the nature of the service and how they treat me.
Oh, you'll notice it at upgrade time. Unless of course your upgrades automatically assume a trip to the Apple store. You are Apple's bitch and will be as long as you wish to listen to the media you have paid for. Every media player you will own will need to be an iPod.
Lighten up, Francis. Get out of your mom's basement, acquire some property, and then you might actually believe in property rights. It's heresy, I know, but it's funny how looking at a pay stub will convert the most ardent socialist into the most ardent individualist.
The Independent: Reverend Spooner Arrested in Friar Tuck Incident - ISIHAC, Historical Headlines
I haven't tried any of the subscription music services, I rarely buy music at all and when I do, it's something not normally available on the mass market channels. However, I'm curious about your statement. How exactly did the grandparent "misrepresent" the nature of music subscription service? If you decide to cut expenses and get rid of that monthly subscription service bill, what do you have for the money you've paid?
"Somebody has to do something. It's just incredibly pathetic it has to be us."
--- Jerry Garcia
you're right.
When I write a song, it is my duty to offer it to you in a manner that is more convenient than just taking it
You are entitled to the fruit of my efforts at your greatest convenience. Who am I to set the price for the things I create?
Everybody knows that the capitalist system of making a product and selling it for enough money to make a profit is PURE GREED! You obviously have a very thorough knowlege of how much it costs to make a recording, and you know our dirty little secret - we're all rolling in money!
I should "adapt" to people who don't feel like paying for my music. I should try to make it "convenient" for them!
Thank you for reminding me that you have a built-in entitlement to my music, and the only way I can make money off of it is to price it so low that the costs of making and recording my music will never ever be recouped. Down with Capitalism!
I think these editors are starting to feel more and more like high school teachers. They are telling us what to do, and they are grossly misinformed on current events. I say we rebel *stands up and throws a paper wad at the mods*
Sig: I stole this sig.