The Foundation has a license agreement with Nokia. This agreement ensures that the Qt will continue to be available under both the LGPL 2.1 and the GPL 3. Should Nokia discontinue the development of the Qt Free Edition under these licenses, then the Foundation has the right to release Qt under a BSD-style license or under other open source licenses. The agreement stays valid in case of a buy-out, a merger or bankruptcy.
In case MS buys Nokia, or the company goes bankrupt, then there is a choice, but just mere neglect might not cut the cheese.
Also, what does "discontinue development" imply? If Nokia keeps toting out at least one update per year, would that count?
I am not an expert at legalese, but reading that paragraph tell me that there does exist some sort of "fork now!" option. Whether that will be good enough is another question.
My point was "awesomness", not bare utility. IANAC (I am not a coder), but I know quite few, and reading the comments of a few more, every one was pleased by Qt's progress.
It wasn't 100% perfect, but still the stage the Qt tools had reached, and the love Nokia were showing for it, meant they were happy to select it as their programming option, to make apps and such.
Now however, it looks like Nokia will not show any love for it, and why should they? Qt-running Symbian and MeeGo are no longer their future, their future is WP7 and.NET, so what utility do they gain by spending time and money on Qt?
Therefore, Qt could become less "awesome" even if other another company picks up the cellphone sector (AAVA?) and even if Intel and GenIVI go full speed ahead on the laptop/tablet and IVI sector (though I doubt it, since GenIVI was partially dependent on Nokia's Terminal Mode, and it's Ovi Maps, both of which will most likely go to competitor MS Sync), since Qt will still be under Nokia's (neglectful) control. The bugs will pile up, the features will stagnate instead of improving.
MeeGo's destiny was supposed to revolve around Qt, which is now controlled by a company whose' *own* destiny revolves around a (die-hard) competitor's product. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure it out.
If Qt can be in the hands of other people (Intel, or forked, or whatever), people who *depend* upon Qt's sucess, only then can Qt prosper.
Ah! I should have said Linux, not open source as such. Typical "Linux=OpenSource" fallacy. Maybe I better explain.
The problem with Linux (and by that I mean a Linux "distro" like Ubuntu, not Linux-kernel based "variants" like WebOS or Android) is that it lacks the numbers to convince "commercially" interested parties to develop for it with the same gusto as for Windows or MacOS.
What the MeeGo dream was that, as MeeGo was aggressively marketed on three fronts, cellphones by Nokia, laptops and tablets by Intel, and car systems by GenIVI, that the sheer numbers will encourage people to develop drivers and applications for MeeGo.
Since MeeGo was a "proper" linux disto, and ran mostly on Qt, any drivers/application made for it will run on other distro without too much of a headache on the porting developer's part. Every one won.
It was a dream, but not an impossible one at that.
With Nokia's exit (No more dozens of N-series MeeGo cellphones annually the world over, and no more hundreds of Qt-toting Symbian phones) this strategy is at a limp now.
Sure somebody else might step up (AAVA, a Finnish company, will issue a Intel-Medfield toting "developer" phone this MWC, and I heard LG was once interested), but still, that dream is looking a bit less likely.
Actually they will gradually shutdown Symbian. As for MeeGo, they will release a N900-esque one off device this year at MWC, but just like it's predecessor, expect it to starve off due to neglect.
Wonder what Nokia will do with Qt? It has no use in WP7, and the few measly MeeGo phones they provide will not support the continued expense of maintaining Trolltech.
But Nokia only put out a small handful of revisions to the OS before it quit.
That might be a misunderstatement. Nokia didn't quite quit per se, just took a rather steep turn.
They are bringing out a MeeGo device this MWC, and the linux community seems to be quite excited.
In fact, just recently, Jim Zemlin (Executive Director of the Linux Foundation) gave a rather long presentation on Linux in general, and MeeGo in specific, in Japan. You may watch the video yourself[1], or read a summary on a nokia fansite[2].
If you read their comments there are links to other alternatives, including this interesting link that some how uses cellphones[1], and more people are pitching in.
Also, they have offered some statistics:
Some figures:
The first calls arriving from Egypt (code +20) are seen around 19:30. One every 2 or 3 minutes.
Rarely more than one simultaneous connection. Most are short-term (probably related to the costs of communications).
Also saw some other sources (Iraq, Algeria, UAE, among others)
Actually I don't think so. Running the article through Google Translate[1] seems to translate "toto" into "foo" so I guess it's the french version of the "foo-bar".
Lots of employers will want people who have just completed their A-levels to start training to become a chartered accountant by starting with another qualification like the AAT or CFAB first. However, if you have shown that you have the academic ability your employer may put you on a training agreement to study for the ACA straight away.
But even if you count AAT or CFAB, they are still "professional" qualifications, rather than "academic" ones, albeit one that is at a "junior" level to the full-fledge CA.
As an ACCA student from Pakistan, I will try to shed some light. (Please correct me if I am wrong)
The major difference between American style CPA and English style CA is their approach to qualification. CPA starts with an "academic"(keyword here) four year Bachelors, plus some extra "accountancy" credit hours, though I can't find any description whether these course have a pre-defined subject and syllabus or not.
The you take a one-day, four-subject "professional" mammoth state exam, and combined with some mandatory "professional" experience you become a CPA. Incidentally, you are *not* bound to actually be a member of AICPA to practice as a CPA.
CA is different. You start early on, often after high school level, and you start your "professional" education, doing a strange combination of professional internship at an audit firm and taking multiple level course (these can go to 20 paper, and focus in depth management, finance, tax and law).
Passing these subjects is hard, since these are one-go end of term exams, not college type where midterms and assignments count.
On top of that, often bodies have weird rules (you must pass all the subject in one module at a go, or else you fail all even if you gained an individual pass in some of them, or else you have only a few number of attempt, or limited amount of time, or some other catch.)
Examinations are very strict, partly due to high professional requirements, but mostly to keep supply low to avoid devaluing the market.
But even after that, you must continue to be member of the body, and pay their annual subscription (and are bound to their laws) or else you can't practice.
To wind up, I would say that CPA is indeed "easier" than CA. Firstly, you start with a proper Bachelor's degree, so you are qualified for the market in one way, academically if not professionally. In CA, you often start early, and unless you complete it all, you are really stuck (part qualified also manage get jobs, but still it's not the real deal you spent all that money and time for)
Secondly, the CPA system is easy. Oh sure, the exam themselves are tough, but there is only four of them, and there is no crazy pass-all-four-in-one-go scheme. For people who have to endure 20 of them, four would be a blessing.
Thirdly, CPA is not standardised as such. Except for the four professional papers at the end by the Uniform CPA board, the rest is based on various academic courses taken on your bachelors examination, with varied syllabuses and requirements. You might enrol in a college with a slant towards one finance rather than management, or maybe stress on one theory over another. In CA, you pass through a standardized syllabus through and through, so all candidates have a uniform base.
CA is a very prestigious "professional" qualification, and with strong traditions and strict control on ethics. However, you do get rather single-tracked. CPA feels like a clumsy "professional" topping on an "academic" cake, but going to college does give you a very good overall base.
There are two common arguments for mandatory attendance:
1: Govt Subsidised education:
In a lot of countries, higher level education is not really common, and hence the competition is very tough. Those who get selected via tough entry exams get to study in Govt subsidised colleges/universities, while those who don't, can either attend the prohibitively expensive evening "self-finance" classes, or go to the equally expensive private institutes.
In return for the all the subsidization out of Taxpayer's money, it's fair to expect that you actually attend those classes, since attending classes is most likely to insure that you actually pass. If you are not interested, get lost, and let some other poor soul utilise those funds.
(Infact, in some fields (medical comes to mind) you are actually bound to sign a 5-year release bond, that stipulates that you will work in the country in that field for at least 5 years, and you are not allowed to go abroad or else that bond's heavy penalty comes into effect. After all, they subsidised your education so that you go and become a doctor in some village that needs a doctor, not go abroad and earn exuberant pay with little cost.)
However, I think in the US, the govt doesn't directly subsidise higher education, rather it helps with easy student loans, so I don't think this argument applies here.
2: Performance Measurement:
Professors maybe judged by how many of their students performance, and the system doesn't usually account for absentees. So it's fair for a professor in return to insist that the students actually attend, to give him/her a more proper evaluation of his skills.
Reminds me of the "No-Kero"(sene) initiative, for providing solar-powered lamps to poor homes. While it doesn't provide an option to charge your cellphones, it does help eliminate Kerosene-related problems. Also, they are in a single handy, sturdy package, unlike the rather complex solar setup described in the article. They have been installed in places like Kenya and donated to the flood-affected areas of Pakistan.
The current problem is how to mass produce these to avail economies of scale and help reduce per-unit cost. Currently they are at a prohibitively expensive $20/unit (though it reduce a bit, but not much, for bulk purchases). Especially since, the article states that the "Firefly" solar setup costs a mere $12 for it's cheapest model, and can light a bulb *and* charge a cellphone. (The one she bought is for $80, and runs four bulbs)
The manufacturer themselves admit it is not something which can be quoted to poor 3rd world families with a straight face, when you can get solar garden lamps for a couple of dollars. However, unlike the garden lights, these, as I understand, are built for harsher handling, and provide more Lumens.
The interesting thing is that China Mobile is supposedly interested in the MeeGo project. A third party to join Nokia and Intel, and a mobile carrier at that, will furthur enhance MeeGo. Also, tellingly, the already have their own appstore, and Nokia seems to have partnered with them on Ovi, in this regard.
This might as well prove 2011 to be the year of Linux on mobile phones, if not desktops.
Yes, but Nokia doesn't, except for it's own prototype "C0" devices, but since they are it's own private property, and not of some consumers, that doesn't count.
Say what you will, but Nokia is rather more "open" than it's competitors.
I have heard that Japanese doesn't have any words that could be considered to be profane per se. At least, that's what quite a few manga scanlation translators have asserted on their posts, when they have deign to explain:D
Instead, the Japanese seem to utilize impoliteness and rudeness. So instead of a special word like "Freddy Uncle Charlie Kent", they have a rude form of the word "YOU!", which will serve the same purpose
Oh good, some remembered the MeeGo option, I was surprised you Open-source buffs didn't pounce on this one immediately.
Check out the video, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EdNBTwHxWk, it's quite nice, and seeing it run Open Office give me great hope that it will not have to worry about the whole "does it have apps?" question, since it will most likely run all existing linux apps.
Is recording music from radios illegal in the US? What about if I record that song and then pass that digital file around, that is most probably not allowed, right?
If it is so, and keeping in mind there already exist cellphones (mostly Chinese KIRFs, but I think LG has this feature too) that allow you to record FM broadcasts, then I think this is what will happen:
1- Install mandatory FM radio chips in every phone, for "public safety" reasons, of course. 2- People are recording songs illegally! Think of the Artists! 3- Impose pre-emptive tax on every cellphone, like those imposed in some countries on blank CDs. 4- ??? 5- RIAA profits.
Then again, maybe reading Slashdot has just made me paranoid:D
Slashdot Mirror
The key word is "abandon". Can we legally compel Nokia to give up Qt just because it's not giving *sufficient* care?
I was looking around the net, and I found this interesting tidbit:
http://www.kde.org/community/whatiskde/kdefreeqtfoundation.php
The Foundation has a license agreement with Nokia. This agreement ensures that the Qt will continue to be available under both the LGPL 2.1 and the GPL 3. Should Nokia discontinue the development of the Qt Free Edition under these licenses, then the Foundation has the right to release Qt under a BSD-style license or under other open source licenses. The agreement stays valid in case of a buy-out, a merger or bankruptcy.
In case MS buys Nokia, or the company goes bankrupt, then there is a choice, but just mere neglect might not cut the cheese.
Also, what does "discontinue development" imply? If Nokia keeps toting out at least one update per year, would that count?
I am not an expert at legalese, but reading that paragraph tell me that there does exist some sort of "fork now!" option. Whether that will be good enough is another question.
Do I sense sarcasm? :p
My point was "awesomness", not bare utility. IANAC (I am not a coder), but I know quite few, and reading the comments of a few more, every one was pleased by Qt's progress.
It wasn't 100% perfect, but still the stage the Qt tools had reached, and the love Nokia were showing for it, meant they were happy to select it as their programming option, to make apps and such.
Now however, it looks like Nokia will not show any love for it, and why should they? Qt-running Symbian and MeeGo are no longer their future, their future is WP7 and .NET, so what utility do they gain by spending time and money on Qt?
Therefore, Qt could become less "awesome" even if other another company picks up the cellphone sector (AAVA?) and even if Intel and GenIVI go full speed ahead on the laptop/tablet and IVI sector (though I doubt it, since GenIVI was partially dependent on Nokia's Terminal Mode, and it's Ovi Maps, both of which will most likely go to competitor MS Sync), since Qt will still be under Nokia's (neglectful) control. The bugs will pile up, the features will stagnate instead of improving.
MeeGo's destiny was supposed to revolve around Qt, which is now controlled by a company whose' *own* destiny revolves around a (die-hard) competitor's product. You don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure it out.
If Qt can be in the hands of other people (Intel, or forked, or whatever), people who *depend* upon Qt's sucess, only then can Qt prosper.
YMMV
http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/12/nokias-marginalization-of-meego-came-as-a-surprise-to-intel/
I wonder whether there is any point in continuing on with QT? I mean it's awesome and all *now*, but will still be awesome after one year of neglect?
Wow! I never thought of it that far out.
This may be one of the worst deals ever :(
Ah! I should have said Linux, not open source as such. Typical "Linux=OpenSource" fallacy. Maybe I better explain.
The problem with Linux (and by that I mean a Linux "distro" like Ubuntu, not Linux-kernel based "variants" like WebOS or Android) is that it lacks the numbers to convince "commercially" interested parties to develop for it with the same gusto as for Windows or MacOS.
What the MeeGo dream was that, as MeeGo was aggressively marketed on three fronts, cellphones by Nokia, laptops and tablets by Intel, and car systems by GenIVI, that the sheer numbers will encourage people to develop drivers and applications for MeeGo.
Since MeeGo was a "proper" linux disto, and ran mostly on Qt, any drivers/application made for it will run on other distro without too much of a headache on the porting developer's part. Every one won.
It was a dream, but not an impossible one at that.
With Nokia's exit (No more dozens of N-series MeeGo cellphones annually the world over, and no more hundreds of Qt-toting Symbian phones) this strategy is at a limp now.
Sure somebody else might step up (AAVA, a Finnish company, will issue a Intel-Medfield toting "developer" phone this MWC, and I heard LG was once interested), but still, that dream is looking a bit less likely.
Or maybe I was dreaming too hard :P
Actually they will gradually shutdown Symbian. As for MeeGo, they will release a N900-esque one off device this year at MWC, but just like it's predecessor, expect it to starve off due to neglect.
Wonder what Nokia will do with Qt? It has no use in WP7, and the few measly MeeGo phones they provide will not support the continued expense of maintaining Trolltech.
To me, it's a massive loss for Open source.
http://www.engadget.com/2011/02/11/rip-symbian/
At least my legs and hands still work little bit so I will be able to recover.
Hey, you can visit slashdot, that definitely counts as a blessing :p
I pray for your speedy recovery.
But Nokia only put out a small handful of revisions to the OS before it quit.
That might be a misunderstatement. Nokia didn't quite quit per se, just took a rather steep turn.
They are bringing out a MeeGo device this MWC, and the linux community seems to be quite excited.
In fact, just recently, Jim Zemlin (Executive Director of the Linux Foundation) gave a rather long presentation on Linux in general, and MeeGo in specific, in Japan. You may watch the video yourself[1], or read a summary on a nokia fansite[2].
Let's see, Nokia just might redeem it self.
[1]: http://video.linux.com/sites/all/modules/custom/os_video_player/mediaplayer.swf?file=http://video.linuxfoundation.org/sites/all/files/videos_local/MeeGo201012/ProG-1.flv
[2]: http://mynokiablog.com/2011/01/31/video-state-of-meego-community-new-businesses-with-jim-zemlin-50-min-meego-the-future-of-mobile/
Also, the number is probably already blocked.
If you read their comments there are links to other alternatives, including this interesting link that some how uses cellphones[1], and more people are pitching in.
Also, they have offered some statistics:
[1]: http://manalaa.net/dialup
Actually I don't think so. Running the article through Google Translate[1] seems to translate "toto" into "foo" so I guess it's the french version of the "foo-bar".
Any french speakers want to pitch in and confirm?
[1]: http://translate.google.com/translate?js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&layout=2&eotf=1&sl=auto&tl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fblog.fdn.fr%2Fpost%2F2011%2F01%2F28%2FCensure-de-l-internet-en-%25C3%2589gypte-%253A-une-humble-action-de-FDN&act=url
Not exactly: http://www.careers.icaew.com/school-students-leavers/Entry-routes/School-leaver
Lots of employers will want people who have just completed their A-levels to start training to become a chartered accountant by starting with another qualification like the AAT or CFAB first. However, if you have shown that you have the academic ability your employer may put you on a training agreement to study for the ACA straight away.
But even if you count AAT or CFAB, they are still "professional" qualifications, rather than "academic" ones, albeit one that is at a "junior" level to the full-fledge CA.
The "fried tech" would establish a radius, and therefore a center.
Mine creates eccentric circles, you insensitive clod!
As an ACCA student from Pakistan, I will try to shed some light. (Please correct me if I am wrong)
The major difference between American style CPA and English style CA is their approach to qualification. CPA starts with an "academic"(keyword here) four year Bachelors, plus some extra "accountancy" credit hours, though I can't find any description whether these course have a pre-defined subject and syllabus or not.
The you take a one-day, four-subject "professional" mammoth state exam, and combined with some mandatory "professional" experience you become a CPA. Incidentally, you are *not* bound to actually be a member of AICPA to practice as a CPA.
CA is different. You start early on, often after high school level, and you start your "professional" education, doing a strange combination of professional internship at an audit firm
and taking multiple level course (these can go to 20 paper, and focus in depth management, finance, tax and law).
Passing these subjects is hard, since these are one-go end of term exams, not college type where midterms and assignments count.
On top of that, often bodies have weird rules (you must pass all the subject in one module at a go, or else you fail all even if you gained an individual pass in some of them, or else you have only a few number of attempt, or limited amount of time, or some other catch.)
Examinations are very strict, partly due to high professional requirements, but mostly to keep supply low to avoid devaluing the market.
But even after that, you must continue to be member of the body, and pay their annual subscription (and are bound to their laws) or else you can't practice.
To wind up, I would say that CPA is indeed "easier" than CA. Firstly, you start with a proper Bachelor's degree, so you are qualified for the market in one way, academically if not professionally. In CA, you often start early, and unless you complete it all, you are really stuck (part qualified also manage get jobs, but still it's not the real deal you spent all that money and time for)
Secondly, the CPA system is easy. Oh sure, the exam themselves are tough, but there is only four of them, and there is no crazy pass-all-four-in-one-go scheme. For people who have to endure 20 of them, four would be a blessing.
Thirdly, CPA is not standardised as such. Except for the four professional papers at the end by the Uniform CPA board, the rest is based on various academic courses taken on your bachelors examination, with varied syllabuses and requirements. You might enrol in a college with a slant towards one finance rather than management, or maybe stress on one theory over another. In CA, you pass through a standardized syllabus through and through, so all candidates have a uniform base.
CA is a very prestigious "professional" qualification, and with strong traditions and strict control on ethics. However, you do get rather single-tracked. CPA feels like a clumsy "professional" topping on an "academic" cake, but going to college does give you a very good overall base.
Funnily enough, the concept of life energy transfer you outlined resembles the main story line of Brandon Sanderson's novel "Warbreaker".
But then again, if life imitates art, is Steve Jobs a God??? :P
PS. Legally available to download from his site: http://www.brandonsanderson.com/drafts/warbreaker/Warbreaker_hardcover_1st_ed.pdf
There are two common arguments for mandatory attendance:
1: Govt Subsidised education:
In a lot of countries, higher level education is not really common, and hence the competition is very tough. Those who get selected via tough entry exams get to study in Govt subsidised colleges/universities, while those who don't, can either attend the prohibitively expensive evening "self-finance" classes, or go to the equally expensive private institutes.
In return for the all the subsidization out of Taxpayer's money, it's fair to expect that you actually attend those classes, since attending classes is most likely to insure that you actually pass. If you are not interested, get lost, and let some other poor soul utilise those funds.
(Infact, in some fields (medical comes to mind) you are actually bound to sign a 5-year release bond, that stipulates that you will work in the country in that field for at least 5 years, and you are not allowed to go abroad or else that bond's heavy penalty comes into effect. After all, they subsidised your education so that you go and become a doctor in some village that needs a doctor, not go abroad and earn exuberant pay with little cost.)
However, I think in the US, the govt doesn't directly subsidise higher education, rather it helps with easy student loans, so I don't think this argument applies here.
2: Performance Measurement:
Professors maybe judged by how many of their students performance, and the system doesn't usually account for absentees. So it's fair for a professor in return to insist that the students actually attend, to give him/her a more proper evaluation of his skills.
Actually...it was from Harry Potter Book 7:
http://harrypotter.wikia.com/wiki/Fall_of_the_Ministry_of_Magic
Taco's really brief and abrupt summary of the events kinda reminded me of this.
----
Also, your sig deserves a +5
*a silvery eruption interrupts the Slashdot rave, a robotic voice speaks*
"4chan has been DDoSed, moot is ded, they are coming"
RTFA is a crime on Slashdot :P
Reminds me of the "No-Kero"(sene) initiative, for providing solar-powered lamps to poor homes. While it doesn't provide an option to charge your cellphones, it does help eliminate Kerosene-related problems. Also, they are in a single handy, sturdy package, unlike the rather complex solar setup described in the article. They have been installed in places like Kenya and donated to the flood-affected areas of Pakistan.
The current problem is how to mass produce these to avail economies of scale and help reduce per-unit cost. Currently they are at a prohibitively expensive $20/unit (though it reduce a bit, but not much, for bulk purchases). Especially since, the article states that the "Firefly" solar setup costs a mere $12 for it's cheapest model, and can light a bulb *and* charge a cellphone. (The one she bought is for $80, and runs four bulbs)
The manufacturer themselves admit it is not something which can be quoted to poor 3rd world families with a straight face, when you can get solar garden lamps for a couple of dollars. However, unlike the garden lights, these, as I understand, are built for harsher handling, and provide more Lumens.
Link: http://www.nokero.com/
The interesting thing is that China Mobile is supposedly interested in the MeeGo project. A third party to join Nokia and Intel, and a mobile carrier at that, will furthur enhance MeeGo. Also, tellingly, the already have their own appstore, and Nokia seems to have partnered with them on Ovi, in this regard.
This might as well prove 2011 to be the year of Linux on mobile phones, if not desktops.
http://www.readwriteweb.com/mobile/2010/11/china-mobile-joins-linux-foundation.php
http://www.mobilebusinessbriefing.com/apps/article/reports-nokia-teams-with-china-mobile-on-apps
Yes, but Nokia doesn't, except for it's own prototype "C0" devices, but since they are it's own private property, and not of some consumers, that doesn't count.
Say what you will, but Nokia is rather more "open" than it's competitors.
I have heard that Japanese doesn't have any words that could be considered to be profane per se. At least, that's what quite a few manga scanlation translators have asserted on their posts, when they have deign to explain :D
Instead, the Japanese seem to utilize impoliteness and rudeness. So instead of a special word like "Freddy Uncle Charlie Kent", they have a rude form of the word "YOU!", which will serve the same purpose
Oh good, some remembered the MeeGo option, I was surprised you Open-source buffs didn't pounce on this one immediately.
Check out the video, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7EdNBTwHxWk, it's quite nice, and seeing it run Open Office give me great hope that it will not have to worry about the whole "does it have apps?" question, since it will most likely run all existing linux apps.
Details here: http://wetab.mobi/en/product-details
Amazon( http://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B003JFKUSK ) lists this as starting from EUR 449, though I would take that figure with a pinch of salt.
I am hoping a lot more companies seriously consider MeeGo, I kinda like it :D
"to normal sanity checks, or by normal, sane Czechs."
I see what you did there :D
Don't be daft, it's obviously Japanese, can't you spot the syllabaries? :D
http://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E3%82%A8%E3%83%AA%E3%83%BC%E3%83%88
Is recording music from radios illegal in the US? What about if I record that song and then pass that digital file around, that is most probably not allowed, right?
If it is so, and keeping in mind there already exist cellphones (mostly Chinese KIRFs, but I think LG has this feature too) that allow you to record FM broadcasts, then I think this is what will happen:
1- Install mandatory FM radio chips in every phone, for "public safety" reasons, of course.
2- People are recording songs illegally! Think of the Artists!
3- Impose pre-emptive tax on every cellphone, like those imposed in some countries on blank CDs.
4- ???
5- RIAA profits.
Then again, maybe reading Slashdot has just made me paranoid :D