The author makes a deeper point (or at least alludes to it), which I think is quite valid. The RIAA and all the rest of us for that matter shouldn't be focused specifically on MP3. What really matters is that compression algorithms have improved, net speeds have increased, and hard drive prices have decreased. Sometime about 18 months ago it became quite easy to listen to, store, and copy high quality music over the Internet. MP3? Sure, that's what we use today, but a new format will come along tomorrow that still satisfies us, and that does the same job better.
Now, what's really interesting to think about is what happens when the compression, speed, and costs all align to do the same thing to video. You already have all of U2's albums on your hard disk, how about all the Hogan's Heros episodes...:-)
Just spent 40 minutes on the phone with Gateway trying to convince them to give me a refund. They consistently refused, saying that their agreement with MS "does not allow them to sell a computer without an MS operating system," and that they attach no real dollar value to the OS, so there is no point in returning it.
The generic customer service rep was rude, and at first refused to let me talk to her manager. The manager was quite nice, but just as useless.
I guess that I'll now have to write a "I'm shocked and appalled" letter to the VP of Customer Care.
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The author makes a deeper point (or at least alludes to it), which I think is quite valid. The RIAA and all the rest of us for that matter shouldn't be focused specifically on MP3. What really matters is that compression algorithms have improved, net speeds have increased, and hard drive prices have decreased. Sometime about 18 months ago it became quite easy to listen to, store, and copy high quality music over the Internet. MP3? Sure, that's what we use today, but a new format will come along tomorrow that still satisfies us, and that does the same job better.
... :-)
Now, what's really interesting to think about is what happens when the compression, speed, and costs all align to do the same thing to video. You already have all of U2's albums on your hard disk, how about all the Hogan's Heros episodes
Just spent 40 minutes on the phone with Gateway trying to convince them to give me a refund. They consistently refused, saying that their agreement with MS "does not allow them to sell a computer without an MS operating system," and that they attach no real dollar value to the OS, so there is no point in returning it.
The generic customer service rep was rude, and at first refused to let me talk to her manager. The manager was quite nice, but just as useless.
I guess that I'll now have to write a "I'm shocked and appalled" letter to the VP of Customer Care.