Of course they probably aren't going to mention other specific operating systems. Especially since the retailer or OEM whom the web page is intended for is probably already selling systems with Windows pre-installed on them. This web page is directed at retailers selling PCs with windows on them, and why they should not sell them without Windows (or any operating system) on them. Oddly enough, as already mentioned, the fact that a lot of people buy systems and use RETAIL versions of software they already own and install that is ignored.
On another interesting point.. wouldn't this make the sale of retail versions of windows pointless? Unless they are hoping that the people who do buy their systems without an operating system installed will decide to buy windows, rather than using a version they already have, a different operating system (whether or not it is free), or a pirated version.
On the note of pirated software in use, piracy of all sorts has always existed. I can't think of a single consumer being charged with pirating software or something similar. A few retailers have been, but not really consumers. Sort of like all my old Vanilla Ice cassette bootlegs and what not. It's going to happen, but it doesn't really matter.
In order to show a loss of revenue due to Napster, you would alot more reports than just CD sales increasing. Did cassette sales drop off? What was the number of first-time CD player purchases like? And, how many Napster users copy the songs they take from other Napster users onto CDs to listen to other places? How many of them buy CDs of music they already listened to on Napster, and how many think that doing so would be ridiculus, since they already have the music? How does the rise in CD sales compare to the popularity of certain artists and songs on Napster? I.E., Joe Foo Bar sold 100,000 more CDs this year, and over 1,000,000 people listened to one of his songs on Napster, of which 20,000 people liked it, while his brother, John Foo Bar, sold 100,000 less CDs this year, and only 20,000 people listened to his songs on Napster, of which Nobody like it.
The point is that there are almost an infinite number of possibly scenarios, and it would be impossible to be able to determine Napster's actual affect on the record industry.
Personally, I've never used Napster, I guess I already know if a song is good enough, and I'm too lazy to take the time to burn cds from mp3s to cd audio to listen to them in my car, and I would rather support the artist if I deam them worthy of my support.
From a slightly different point of view... I run windows 2000 (I needed to for my previous job, and am too lazy to put linux back on.. maybe someday I will, it still doesn't quite fit all my needs.) and I have to keep windows 98 around to play all my favorite games.
$1 per song makes buying CDs worth it, and the time it would take to get an mp3 (less quality, more trouble, less portability) wouldn't be worth it. CDs are generally $1 per song sometimes less sometimes more....
Most online stores even allow for a try before you buy. Such as CDnow. These are usually in MP3 format, oddly enough. So I'm pretty sure that could combat the whole point that downloading full length mp3's from a friend lead you to buying a cd more often, when you can do the same from CDnow's website, it's just not the whole song.
For the whole "Try before you buy" argument, a counterpoint I don't believe that has been brought up yet (although possibly), is that there are many music stores where you can do just this, with any CD in the store.
Microsoft does have a good idea with the Protected File System they have going into Windows Me and partially into 2000. I think it could definetly use some fine tuning, so as not to restrict access to files some people will NEED to be able to change, but it certainly helps prevent end-user stupidity from causing problems.
For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, it basically makes it impossible to remove, modify, replace, any "protected" file unless certified to do so. (Product manufacturer for a driver, etc.).
Good luck finding one that isn't. Here's the list. As pointed out earlier by someone else. Personally, not every label that is a member of the RIAA automatically is at agreement with everything the RIAA does, nor is every artist. A boycott of the entire RIAA doesn't make much sense. I am sure that a large number of labels and artists under the RIAA do not agree with any of it's actions at all.
This is actually done with major viruses and security problems. If a company like Symantec discovers something, they will usually give Microsoft or whomever 3-6 months to fix the problem before they let everyone know about it, in order to protect end-users, as well as Microsoft, or whatever other company it is.
The Matrix. Opening scene with Trinity typing away at a laptop. Definetly not a mac, resembled an IBM thinkpad or similiar if my memory serves me correctly.
I said rural and underpriveledged, not meaning them to be one in the same. Rural communities are more often denied broadband solutions and so forth because it simply isn't cost effective for anyone to provide this. Same goes for poor people. It's not my decision to live here, I'm only 18.
Then it would try to negotiate when I picked up the line. I work at an ISP, we get people calling the voice number with modems all the time. It's fun to try to negotiate a 2400 baud connection using your voice.
I live in Indiana and have the same problem, I actually gave up believing it was a prank caller or telemarketer, and now I just put it off as being some problem with the telco's around this crazy place. Happens at least 2-3 times a day, phone rings, you answer, noone's there, a click, whatever.......
Okay, assuming that a lot of people will go out and download at least the first chapters, if only out of curiosity, we should have a large enough reader base in order to coordinate an effort to write a 3rd chapter of the book, if not multiple endings. I don't remember reading anywhere in the little license agreement of King's that we can't add on to his work.
Short Stories in bookstores usually still run for at least 5 or 6 USD, so really, $3 for a 60 page book, is a pretty good deal. The length of the book really doesn't have much to do with the price.
What about rural America? We have phone lines that can't even handle 33.6 connections. (I'm a T1 at work, but that's the best I get) at home, I can't break 26400.
The law of eminent domain (talk about ironic) says that the U.S. Government can not take any private property for public use without just compensation. So unless the U.S. Government is taking.com,.net,.org, etc. domain names for public use, I don't really see how that applies. They have their entire own TLD. They might be able to get away with taking over whitehouse.com, but that's a different story =]
Too bad I'm going to be living in Indianapolis to go to school next year. As long as they don't ban LAN parties in the dorms, I won't be affected too much by it. Do many people actually go to arcades anymore? Perhaps the concerns should be more with where this go if it actually sticks around for awhile. I think screwing with the arcades is more just being used as a stepping stone towards other possibilities. If you have to be 18 to play some game where you kill people, then are they going to card us to buy Unreal Tournament, Quake III, or Half Life?
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So you are going to change your vote based on one man's ramblings? Fickle, aren't we?
Of course they probably aren't going to mention other specific operating systems. Especially since the retailer or OEM whom the web page is intended for is probably already selling systems with Windows pre-installed on them. This web page is directed at retailers selling PCs with windows on them, and why they should not sell them without Windows (or any operating system) on them. Oddly enough, as already mentioned, the fact that a lot of people buy systems and use RETAIL versions of software they already own and install that is ignored.
On another interesting point.. wouldn't this make the sale of retail versions of windows pointless? Unless they are hoping that the people who do buy their systems without an operating system installed will decide to buy windows, rather than using a version they already have, a different operating system (whether or not it is free), or a pirated version.
On the note of pirated software in use, piracy of all sorts has always existed. I can't think of a single consumer being charged with pirating software or something similar. A few retailers have been, but not really consumers. Sort of like all my old Vanilla Ice cassette bootlegs and what not. It's going to happen, but it doesn't really matter.
I think we all missed the obvious "It's like buying a house without windows." Go figure.
I thought the court delivered cease and desist letters, not the company involved......
The point is that there are almost an infinite number of possibly scenarios, and it would be impossible to be able to determine Napster's actual affect on the record industry.
Personally, I've never used Napster, I guess I already know if a song is good enough, and I'm too lazy to take the time to burn cds from mp3s to cd audio to listen to them in my car, and I would rather support the artist if I deam them worthy of my support.
From a slightly different point of view... I run windows 2000 (I needed to for my previous job, and am too lazy to put linux back on.. maybe someday I will, it still doesn't quite fit all my needs.) and I have to keep windows 98 around to play all my favorite games.
I want a VHS player for my laptop. I'm too cheap to buy dvds or dvd players.....
Most online stores even allow for a try before you buy. Such as CDnow. These are usually in MP3 format, oddly enough. So I'm pretty sure that could combat the whole point that downloading full length mp3's from a friend lead you to buying a cd more often, when you can do the same from CDnow's website, it's just not the whole song.
For the whole "Try before you buy" argument, a counterpoint I don't believe that has been brought up yet (although possibly), is that there are many music stores where you can do just this, with any CD in the store.
For those of you who don't know what I'm talking about, it basically makes it impossible to remove, modify, replace, any "protected" file unless certified to do so. (Product manufacturer for a driver, etc.).
$7 / hr. (Grr)
Good luck finding one that isn't. Here's the list. As pointed out earlier by someone else. Personally, not every label that is a member of the RIAA automatically is at agreement with everything the RIAA does, nor is every artist. A boycott of the entire RIAA doesn't make much sense. I am sure that a large number of labels and artists under the RIAA do not agree with any of it's actions at all.
The Matrix. Opening scene with Trinity typing away at a laptop. Definetly not a mac, resembled an IBM thinkpad or similiar if my memory serves me correctly.
I said rural and underpriveledged, not meaning them to be one in the same. Rural communities are more often denied broadband solutions and so forth because it simply isn't cost effective for anyone to provide this. Same goes for poor people. It's not my decision to live here, I'm only 18.
And people don't choose to be poor either, why should we deny rural communities and underpriveledged individuals Internet access?
What about rural America? We have phone lines that can't even handle 33.6 connections. (I'm a T1 at work, but that's the best I get) at home, I can't break 26400.