As a French/. user when I click on some stories I end up on a page asking me to 'accept cookies' where I have to click an 'accept button' in order to read the story. Not only it's not a pleasant browsing experience, but it is the only part of this site where I am forced to enable Javascript in order to browse (I usually disable Javascript on my mobile browser in order to save battery).
I understand that you want to comply to local laws and such, but many other sites have a way less intrusive way to remember me about cookies (usually some text at the top of the front page).
Less DRM is always better for the consumer point of view as it implies more freedom of use. As for piracy (which is meant to prevent), AACS alone is not trivial to bypass for the average user and neither scheme will prevent anyone from downloading once released ("crack once, seed everywhere"). By the way, AACS is mandatory in BR, even if you want to produce your own stuff and release in in a copyleft licence.
> Also, you criticize Sony for selling blu-ray players in PS3s. For selling their own product. What the hell is wrong with you? This is utterly benign conduct.
I don't criticize them for that. What I criticize is when Microsoft does similar things with Windows (bundling IE, WMP,...), it is seen as "bad" but when it is Sony, is is seen as "good". Even is Sony does not have a near-monopoly in the console market, their market share is big enough to have a similar influence. Too bad the PS3 did not sell as good as expected.
I am sorry to tell that Microsoft is not the ultimate evil as you seem to mean. In regards for interoperability, open-standards and "free cometition", ALL companies (which includes also Sony, Apple,...) are potential threats since vendor-lockin and monopolies are always more profitable. The fact that Microsoft's past and current business practices are to blame and their dominance in the Operating System/Office/Browser market are not excuses to support blindly another company whose practices are not better than them.
Since Microsoft is much less involved in HD-DVD than Sony is in Blu-Ray, it is not only irrationnal, but a bit uninformed, to use Microsoft practices are a main argument to judge the HD-DVD format. It is not like the ODF vs OOXML debate.
Ironically, if the was a company to blame for trying to push its own format it would be Sony in this case by bundling Blu-Ray with its PS3. It is a bit funny that you mention this point as an argument FOR Blu-Ray:)
Anyways, there are many other arguments for perferring one format, another or neither, which are more accurate than Sony's or Microsoft's practices. Personnally if I had to choose between both I'd choose HD-DVD for the lack of region coding and the fact they have less DRM.
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As a French /. user when I click on some stories I end up on a page asking me to 'accept cookies' where I have to click an 'accept button' in order to read the story. Not only it's not a pleasant browsing experience, but it is the only part of this site where I am forced to enable Javascript in order to browse (I usually disable Javascript on my mobile browser in order to save battery).
I understand that you want to comply to local laws and such, but many other sites have a way less intrusive way to remember me about cookies (usually some text at the top of the front page).
According to their FAQ you can also buy individual songs : http://help.yahoo.com/l/us/yahoo/music/music/getmusic/launch-11.html
(Disclaimer : I don't use Yahoo Music so I don't know if the FAQ is outdated or not)
Less DRM is always better for the consumer point of view as it implies more freedom of use. As for piracy (which is meant to prevent), AACS alone is not trivial to bypass for the average user and neither scheme will prevent anyone from downloading once released ("crack once, seed everywhere"). By the way, AACS is mandatory in BR, even if you want to produce your own stuff and release in in a copyleft licence.
...), it is seen as "bad" but when it is Sony, is is seen as "good". Even is Sony does not have a near-monopoly in the console market, their market share is big enough to have a similar influence. Too bad the PS3 did not sell as good as expected.
...) are potential threats since vendor-lockin and monopolies are always more profitable. The fact that Microsoft's past and current business practices are to blame and their dominance in the Operating System/Office/Browser market are not excuses to support blindly another company whose practices are not better than them.
> Also, you criticize Sony for selling blu-ray players in PS3s. For selling their own product. What the hell is wrong with you? This is utterly benign conduct.
I don't criticize them for that. What I criticize is when Microsoft does similar things with Windows (bundling IE, WMP,
I am sorry to tell that Microsoft is not the ultimate evil as you seem to mean. In regards for interoperability, open-standards and "free cometition", ALL companies (which includes also Sony, Apple,
Since Microsoft is much less involved in HD-DVD than Sony is in Blu-Ray, it is not only irrationnal, but a bit uninformed, to use Microsoft practices are a main argument to judge the HD-DVD format. It is not like the ODF vs OOXML debate. Ironically, if the was a company to blame for trying to push its own format it would be Sony in this case by bundling Blu-Ray with its PS3. It is a bit funny that you mention this point as an argument FOR Blu-Ray :)
Anyways, there are many other arguments for perferring one format, another or neither, which are more accurate than Sony's or Microsoft's practices. Personnally if I had to choose between both I'd choose HD-DVD for the lack of region coding and the fact they have less DRM.
NPD group is not an owner of the HD-DVD format. They are just a bunch of market analysts who provide information to retailers. See their website : http://www.npd.com/corpServlet?nextpage=profile_s.html