I originally did the calculations because I wanted to know if I still saved money on CFLs that died prematurely (estimated 3-4000 hours). They still saved some money! They are great for lights that are continuously on (i.e., don't put them in a washroom) and in non-recessed applications (the heat really kills them).
From an environmental perspective and from an economic perspective compact fluorescents win out. While their initial cost may be higher, they use only 25% of the electricity of an incandescent light bulb and last ten times as long. Plus, the incandescent puts out much more heat leading to increased air conditioning load.
I recently did some calculations to see if save any money. Quebec already has one of the lowest electricity costs in North America at 5.97 cents per kWhr (above 30kWh per day). People in other places save even more!
Plus, you save on the environmental cost of the packaging. I have also read that although CFL contain mercury, more mercury is released due to coal burning than for the equivalent 10 incandescent light bulbs.
The Sigma Designs versus XVID GPL conflict was proved using comparisons between binaries of their MPEG4 codec. The offending code in Sigma Design's copied entire functions and the XVID team was still able to show pages after pages of exact binary matches between parts of the code. Comparing UnixWare binaries and Linux binaries will be extremely tough but possible even with slightly different compiler settings.
Here's a link
http://slashdot.org/articles/02/08/22/193237.sht ml ?tid=117
Reporters really should be asking much better questions and covering the SCO versus IBM/Linux story better. This topic hasn't even been covered by the "press" recently, compared to other smaller stories: Ebay $35 million lawsuit, web poker player wins $2.5 M, etc...
If the press does not ask any of the tough questions now, and there is some infringing code Linux, the Linux community could be screwed by the "sudden" bad press. Keep it in the news, keep it on people's mind, and debate it logically and reasonably is the way to go. At that point, people can make an informed decision. All the tough questions (WMD?, Iraq-terrorism link, US sales of weapons to Iraq, US companies getting cushy non-tendered contracts in Iraq, US oil interests) about the Iraq war are being asked now that the conflict is over and not before/during.
Even if the Linux case is strong, the Bush Administration and corporate lobbyists are such good bed fellows that anything could happend. Remember that the Bush Administration asked the DOJ to stop the Microsoft breakup.
In some ways, Linux systems are much more alike than different. They have the same applications, same config files, but sadly different interfaces (which matter a lot to most consumers). Maybe Mandrake or other distros could bundle or work on great gaming or Windows support or maybe even closed-source CD-writing utilities (most suck right now compared to Windows programs) such as DirectCD support or seamless CD-RW support. Other things that are functional deficiencies in Linux applications include Microsoft Office replacement, DVD players (commercial quality interface), TV card support (nothing compares to Premiere or even ATI's MMC), etc... There are many areas where programming resources could be spent and overlap in the interface hurts Linux and hurts their pocketbook.
I'm glad that a common theme between KDE and GNOME was also implemented by Mandrake. Competing and incompatible desktops is going to really hurt Linux for a while, especially if a user cannot switch between computers and get work done easily. Things such as the Start Menu, Control Panel, background, screensaver, and System Properties have been somewhat standardized in the Windows world. Even newbie users can get these things done on a Windows 95/98/ME/2000 and even XP desktop easily. They are different by close enough to make it a smooth transition. Linux is still not there with competing Bluecurve/Galaxy + KDE/GNOME camps. While the core should still be as configurable like the hacker wants, work should be done to have a standard interface (which can be changed) and standard "desktop configuration" utilities across the major distributions/desktop environments. We have the GNOME control panel, KDE control panel, Red Hat utilites, Mandrake utilities, etc... (include almost every major distribution out there) for everything! Everything is different and everything has a slightly different interface for the same tasks. I even get annoyed sometimes when it takes me a couple extra tens of seconds to find an app due to different menu layouts. And I know lots of other users that really get messed up even with simple things like changing the background or GDM/KDE icons on Linux.
I'm against unreasonable lengths for copyright and patent protection. The patent granting process is way to easy and the length of patents provides more than enough incentive to innovate. But come on, even Britney Spears deserves a couple of years of copyright protection.
Reassuringly, the motion that "This House believes that the free music mentality is a threat to the future of music" was resoundingly defeated by a hefty 256 "Noes" to 72 "Ayes"
This is more of a popularity contest than a true debate. The RIAA's position is never going to be popular with an illegal file-swapping crowd filled with university students.
Regardless, The RIAA has every right to pursue its goals (i.e., profit) using legitimate business practices.
The RIAA is perfectly allowed to sell music using any method they want. It does not matter if downloaders purchase more CDs due to free advertising. If you believe that start a new record company with free music from your site. Nobody has a right to force a new distribution method on someone else. I prefer the BSD license, but I don't go out and illegally change GPL software to BSD. People have the right to use any license they choose. Similiarly, artists have the right to release free music if they want. They are not forced to sign a contract with anyone. Plus, the distribution method of choice - the Internet - is perfected suited for free music.
While I completely support the use of open source software where its use if beneficial, I cannot support a law requiring or even advocating open source use. One important component of freedom is choice - and the choice of open source or no open source regardless of merit is in the wrong direction. Admittedly, they have a clause allowing for commercial software where no free solution exists. It's a back door large enough to drive a truck through presently.
Companies and governments should just make decisions based on their best interests. If open source is cheaper (including the cost of support), then go open source. If Microsoft solution's is cheaper and more effective, I'd say pick Microsoft. It's incredibly simple, and truly libertarian. My university makes this decision every day with extensive use of Linux and open source for a number of applications. And the university computer store pushes Microsoft like you wouldn't believe.
How would you like it if a law was passed restricting the government to the only truly open license - BSD? GPL or commercial products could only be used if there is no BSD equivalent.
I noticed the mistake the second time I read it. Even at my university right now, many SGI machines are running gcc because the SGI C++ compiler is too expensive.
Render farms are great, content-creation is better
on
Linux goes to Hollywood
·
· Score: 4, Insightful
Render farms just crunch numbers and that is where Linux is succeeding. Linux on x86 (AMD or Intel) is displacing SGI not based on qualities of the Linux OS necessarily, but due to the low cost of x86 hardware, high quality compilers and free OS last. I'm sure NetBSD would be just as good is this application. Linux could even be replaced by commercial render-farm operations that run on purpose-built hardware.
SGI effectively gives away their OS and you have to pay incredible prices for their hardware. For certain applications where real-time 3D performance or high-bandwidth memory applications is required, SGI and Sun still has the tools to beat the x86 platform any day. Real workstations still have many advantages over the best PC motherboards. But all of additional cost for SGI hardware is a waste if you are just number crunching.
However, the news that IBM and Alias are developing content-creation software for Linux is a very good sign. These are the tools that every artist would be using to push pixels, and that's the way to get a huge foothold in the Hollywood. That moves Linux for the room in the back to the desktop of each artist.
Plus, I think people misunderstand exactly how many hits and flops there are in the music industry. Not every CD makes the $0.59 for the label, it's an average for all CDs. According to the RIAA, there are 27000 new releases each year, which the big record companies release 7000. From those 7000 new releases each year, only 10% are profitable. All the rest break-even or lose money. Those 10% of CDs that are profitable, and sometimes very profitable, pay the labels and the support newer acts.
If you had read the article, you would have noticed that it was the Globe and Mail's reporter that used the word website. I was merely quoting the article. Slashdot used to be filled with people who actually read the article or notice the quotation marks. BTW, I do know that Napster is a service and not a website.
While the death of Eazel and the shuffle at Mandrake could slow down GUI development, it won't stop it. There are enough users and programmers out there that are satisfied and happy enough with Linux to continue using it. A critical mass of users and programmers exist already to continue to work on Linux. These people will continue developing apps and interfaces for Linux - the only problem is time. I believe it will take at least 4-5 years for Linux to be ready for the desktop. With Linux you have freedom, and with commercial apps they have money. And that money can make incredible things happen (like OS X - the only Unix for the masses out there) in a far shorter timeframe.
I've already seen several posts from people that this is just a case of curiosity and that the suspension was too severe. However, privacy is privacy. Many Slashdotters complain load and clear that they hate it when companies invade their privacy by sending spam, placing cookies on their computer and tracking users over the Internet (e.g. GUId). Yet, when someone hacks into a computer and looks aroung, many are willing to give all kinds of leeway and say that he's just curious and he really didn't do any harm. If privacy is so important to you (like it is to me), then any kind of hacking for curiosity sake is a violation of privacy. It does not matter if it is a poor user on the Internet, a school or a faceless big, bad corporation.
Some applications can be priced at up to $600 for a single CD. As if someone of college age has $600 to spend on a CD. I suggest that some of these applications drop in price -- like down to $60. There we go!
Companies and individuals have the right to charge whatever they want for the goods and services that they deliver. I bet not very many Slashdotters would be happy with the following statements.
Some programmers can be priced at up to $100000 for a year of work. As if companies have the money to pay $100000 to a programmer. I suggest that some of these programmers drop in price -- like down to $45 000. There we go!
How incredibly hypocritical! So Microsoft has the right to control distribution of its intellectual property, but the music industry has no right to protect its property. All individuals, including companies, have the right to distribute products in what ever manner they want - even if it hurts them. I don't have the right to distribute naked pictures of someone's wife without her permission even if she gets all of the proceeds. It's that simple.
Napster has not only not hurt CD sales or the music industry, but I would also argue that Napster has even helped the music industry by allowing millions of users a much greater exposure to music in general, thus the increase in CD sales.
WPA (Windows Product Activation) is not a bad thing. It is meant to protect Microsoft's investment in its own endeavors. Microsoft is a software developer (among other things) and has the right to implement such a feature on their own software.
This is exact same arguement I've used so many times with my friends. It is my right to distibute material under the license that I want. How would you feel if I started distributing GPLd software as BSD-licensed software? I could argue that this action helps consumers in general by providing outstanding source code to the multitude of shareware and freeware developers that don't want the restrictive GPL. This is effectively what Napster and many of its users are doing to the music industry.
Actually, even big names make a hell of a lot of money touring and selling merchandise. All those backstreet boys t-shirts and britney keychains add
up.... (I seem to remember reading that these pop acts make insane amounts of cash selling promo items during their tours... I am having trouble finding a link to back this up, however).
Sure Britney Spears and the Backstreet Boys can make money on promotional materials and tours, but what about the smaller bands out there. I still have trouble seeing why anyone would buy a relatively unknown artist's promo material. They probably have to give it away to generate interest at radio stations and such. Or if they do sell stuff, it's just enough to cover the costs. People must want to buy stuff in order to sell it. I don't see a lot of interest for JonKatz's scented bath oil or a 12-months of Slashdot calander.
It amazes me that Linux games are being released at all. It does not surprise me at all that some of the hottest games on Windows have poor sales on Linux. We still have so much work to do on Linux right now.
Drivers
Gamers want the best performance and the highest FPS for their games. I can download a binary driver for 95/98/ME and expect it to work for all versions and use a standard install routine. Under Linux it is a completely different beast. Want OpenGL and Nvidia's DRI Server for XWindows, go jump through these hoops. Want sound for my SoundBlaster Live use OSS. Trying to get DVD decoding support, go get Linux 2.4 or use the udfs and ioctl back-port to Linux 2.2. Get Livid and jump through more hoops. Want CD-RW support, struggle through another routine. Setup network card, select any number of paths. TV Tuner, go edit your modules.conf. What about USB devices, force feedback controllers... We need one standard install that will work for open-source binaries and closed binaries for all kinds of hardware. And don't tell me that Windows is easy because it is already set up, because gamers change drivers like they change underwear! This is how average users work. Plus, make sure it works now and into the near future. It amazes me that USB support is now in Linux, but has been available under Windows since 98.
Apps
Productivity apps first, then games. We really can't expect games on Linux under the sales can justify the effort. Plus, we are a lot closer on the productivity apps side than on the gaming side.
Gaming API
OpenGL is out and DirectX is in. Microsoft through a huge hodgepodge of features has made it in a great API. Want 3D, game controller support, force feedback API, 3D sound support, voice-over-network, etc.. go get DirectX. Unless we develop one huge API that can be installed in one step, developers have no idea what is supported on a particular machine. We are still in the dark ages of DOS gaming, where each game had limited hardware support and coding for certain cards.
My biggest problem is not the rating system, but the fact that the B.C. government - or governments in general - is in control of the rating system. Normally I don't care too much about ratings because I'm an adult. But government control is the killer. What happens when another school shooting and Quake-clone v1.4 is implicated? Does the government place different restrictions on this game? Or how about games dealing with "mature themes" such as gay and lesbian issues? A children's adventure game could have gay or lesbian parents; and I remember the debate over the same issues in books. I realize that the last one is stretching it, but other examples are readily available. Or how about the killing of animals. Should Deer Hunter be an all-ages game or a PG game? I'm sure that the NDP government and PETA have different views than mine. I don't want "concerned parents and politicians" blocking something based on the next election.
You've got to be kidding me if you think that this is OS fragmentation like Unix or Linux distributions.
The vast majority of apps work perfectly well and are generally upwards compatible - especially on Windows 95, 98, 98SE, and the absolutely horrible ME. Lots of apps even work perfectly well on Windows NT and Windows 2000. While not perfect, the Microsoft camp has got binary compatibility between "distributions" down. Try that on the Linux side and the situation gets a lot muddier. I first need to worry about getting the glibc and libc library if I want binary rpms. Ever try to install newer RPMs onto a older version of Mandrake or RedHat. Secondly, things change in the Linux world. Try installing a new graphics driver or sound driver - now you might need to match kernel version if only a binary is available. Plus, you have to worry about different processors; believe it or not, a friend of mine downloaded a rpm for the alpha thinking it was an alpha version of XFree86 with the required driver.
How do you do most of the administration? Linux systems are different enough that administrators can have a lot of difficulty with the various sysadmin tasks. Do I use DrakConf, linuxconf, or edit the files by hand? Even if I use linuxconf, not all options could be set correctly so you have to go back to text editting. Try setting up dhcpcd using Linuxconf only on LM 7.2. You need to add DCHP_HOSTNAME to the ifcfg script. Or how about changing video drivers - try installing the Nvidia drivers and compare that the Windows method. Do I use Xconfigurator, DrakConf or sax? Use sndconfig or Draksound for your soundcard - works sometimes, but I always resort to hand editting.
Ask yourself how many times you've recompiled the kernel or know someone who did inorder to get something to work: DVD support, CD-RW support, NTFS support, etc.. How many people recompile Windows to add that kind of support?
The Windows way may be buggy sometimes and can cause headaches trying to fix it, but it is consistent. The Linux way is a complete jumble of different methods and interfaces, but if you edit it properly the problem is fixed and fixed for good.
Why are you willing to force artists into accepting your payment conditions, when you can't accept them either? I'm not saying that artists could not survive under this system, but that it should be their choice. Are you willing to do programming - which according to some is a form of expression - for micropayments?
While not the most practical solution, it is a plan that could be possible. I believe that several hundred songs can be verified per day, especially if there are multiple authenication companies working with Napster. Remember, Napster has 50 million users, not 50 million users sharing files. In fact, according to the Economist, only 4% of Napster users actually provide content. However, something must be done to remove the tremendous burden off of the listeners. Here are some suggestions:
Filenames, artists, albums, tracks that exactly match a RIAA submission would be rejected. I don't know of very many independent artists that name themselves Britney Spears and sing the same album and tracks.
Tracks that are re-shared could be automatically let into the system. So long as the MD5 and watermarks are the same as in the list.
Independent artist registered with an appropriate authenication system could submit MP3s to be freely traded. No need for verification. These could be watermarked for easy electronic verification. These would also be of very high quality, since they are legal MP3s. The legal MP3s could travel where ever they want within the system, and I see very little need to change bit rates, names, etc.. if these are legit
tracks.
Independent artists who want tracks on Napster and are not registered (i.e., the garage bands) could submit works to be verified.
Given enough time computer software could be generated to watermark the MP3s that you want to be freely traded, which Napster could check. Copy-righted material could also be watermarked to disallow trading. If a particular watermarking scheme is broken, the RIAA can identify the songs and request that they be removed from the system.
Bootlegs would be a problem. Since they would not be watermarked and difficult to verify - have to verify with the band.
Yes. I know that changing the file by a few bits changes the MD5 checksum. However, an approved songs list is the one effective means of control. That would mean that there would be no sharing until the song is approved. To get a song approved some type of form could be filled along with the MP3. Once the MP3 passes a quick listen test, the MP3 would be approved. The MD5 is only there to verify that the server/user has not replaced the song with another one. While this is a costly means of control - and by no means foolproof, it is better than trying to filter based on filenames.
People swapping legal MP3s don't need to worry. They will be approved. People trading copyrighted material won't get approved. While this is a slow means of building up a database, it is a possible way. Plus any songs that slip through could be easily removed from the approved list. That is easier than trying to filter it in an uncontrolled environment.
Slashdot Mirror
I originally did the calculations because I wanted to know if I still saved money on CFLs that died prematurely (estimated 3-4000 hours). They still saved some money! They are great for lights that are continuously on (i.e., don't put them in a washroom) and in non-recessed applications (the heat really kills them).
From an environmental perspective and from an economic perspective compact fluorescents win out. While their initial cost may be higher, they use only 25% of the electricity of an incandescent light bulb and last ten times as long. Plus, the incandescent puts out much more heat leading to increased air conditioning load.
l .p df
I recently did some calculations to see if save any money. Quebec already has one of the lowest electricity costs in North America at 5.97 cents per kWhr (above 30kWh per day). People in other places save even more!
Compact Fluorescent (10000 hr, 23 W)
===================
Initial bulb $10 + Electricity $13.73 = $23.73
Incandescent Light Bulb (1000hr, 100W)
=======================
10 bulbs $5 + Electricity $59.70 = $64.70
Plus, you save on the environmental cost of the packaging. I have also read that although CFL contain mercury, more mercury is released due to coal burning than for the equivalent 10 incandescent light bulbs.
http://www.nema.org/lamprecycle/epafactsheet-cf
The Sigma Designs versus XVID GPL conflict was proved using comparisons between binaries of their MPEG4 codec. The offending code in Sigma Design's copied entire functions and the XVID team was still able to show pages after pages of exact binary matches between parts of the code. Comparing UnixWare binaries and Linux binaries will be extremely tough but possible even with slightly different compiler settings.
t ml ?tid=117
Here's a link
http://slashdot.org/articles/02/08/22/193237.sh
Reporters really should be asking much better questions and covering the SCO versus IBM/Linux story better. This topic hasn't even been covered by the "press" recently, compared to other smaller stories: Ebay $35 million lawsuit, web poker player wins $2.5 M, etc...
If the press does not ask any of the tough questions now, and there is some infringing code Linux, the Linux community could be screwed by the "sudden" bad press. Keep it in the news, keep it on people's mind, and debate it logically and reasonably is the way to go. At that point, people can make an informed decision. All the tough questions (WMD?, Iraq-terrorism link, US sales of weapons to Iraq, US companies getting cushy non-tendered contracts in Iraq, US oil interests) about the Iraq war are being asked now that the conflict is over and not before/during.
Even if the Linux case is strong, the Bush Administration and corporate lobbyists are such good bed fellows that anything could happend. Remember that the Bush Administration asked the DOJ to stop the Microsoft breakup.
Bush Administration Stops Microsoft Breakup
In some ways, Linux systems are much more alike than different. They have the same applications, same config files, but sadly different interfaces (which matter a lot to most consumers). Maybe Mandrake or other distros could bundle or work on great gaming or Windows support or maybe even closed-source CD-writing utilities (most suck right now compared to Windows programs) such as DirectCD support or seamless CD-RW support. Other things that are functional deficiencies in Linux applications include Microsoft Office replacement, DVD players (commercial quality interface), TV card support (nothing compares to Premiere or even ATI's MMC), etc... There are many areas where programming resources could be spent and overlap in the interface hurts Linux and hurts their pocketbook.
I'm glad that a common theme between KDE and GNOME was also implemented by Mandrake. Competing and incompatible desktops is going to really hurt Linux for a while, especially if a user cannot switch between computers and get work done easily. Things such as the Start Menu, Control Panel, background, screensaver, and System Properties have been somewhat standardized in the Windows world. Even newbie users can get these things done on a Windows 95/98/ME/2000 and even XP desktop easily. They are different by close enough to make it a smooth transition. Linux is still not there with competing Bluecurve/Galaxy + KDE/GNOME camps. While the core should still be as configurable like the hacker wants, work should be done to have a standard interface (which can be changed) and standard "desktop configuration" utilities across the major distributions/desktop environments. We have the GNOME control panel, KDE control panel, Red Hat utilites, Mandrake utilities, etc... (include almost every major distribution out there) for everything! Everything is different and everything has a slightly different interface for the same tasks. I even get annoyed sometimes when it takes me a couple extra tens of seconds to find an app due to different menu layouts. And I know lots of other users that really get messed up even with simple things like changing the background or GDM/KDE icons on Linux.
I'm against unreasonable lengths for copyright and patent protection. The patent granting process is way to easy and the length of patents provides more than enough incentive to innovate. But come on, even Britney Spears deserves a couple of years of copyright protection.
Reassuringly, the motion that "This House believes that the free music mentality is a threat to the future of music" was resoundingly defeated by a hefty 256 "Noes" to 72 "Ayes"
This is more of a popularity contest than a true debate. The RIAA's position is never going to be popular with an illegal file-swapping crowd filled with university students.
Regardless, The RIAA has every right to pursue its goals (i.e., profit) using legitimate business practices.
The RIAA is perfectly allowed to sell music using any method they want. It does not matter if downloaders purchase more CDs due to free advertising. If you believe that start a new record company with free music from your site. Nobody has a right to force a new distribution method on someone else. I prefer the BSD license, but I don't go out and illegally change GPL software to BSD. People have the right to use any license they choose. Similiarly, artists have the right to release free music if they want. They are not forced to sign a contract with anyone. Plus, the distribution method of choice - the Internet - is perfected suited for free music.
While I completely support the use of open source software where its use if beneficial, I cannot support a law requiring or even advocating open source use. One important component of freedom is choice - and the choice of open source or no open source regardless of merit is in the wrong direction. Admittedly, they have a clause allowing for commercial software where no free solution exists. It's a back door large enough to drive a truck through presently.
Companies and governments should just make decisions based on their best interests. If open source is cheaper (including the cost of support), then go open source. If Microsoft solution's is cheaper and more effective, I'd say pick Microsoft. It's incredibly simple, and truly libertarian. My university makes this decision every day with extensive use of Linux and open source for a number of applications. And the university computer store pushes Microsoft like you wouldn't believe.
How would you like it if a law was passed restricting the government to the only truly open license - BSD? GPL or commercial products could only be used if there is no BSD equivalent.
I noticed the mistake the second time I read it. Even at my university right now, many SGI machines are running gcc because the SGI C++ compiler is too expensive.
SGI effectively gives away their OS and you have to pay incredible prices for their hardware. For certain applications where real-time 3D performance or high-bandwidth memory applications is required, SGI and Sun still has the tools to beat the x86 platform any day. Real workstations still have many advantages over the best PC motherboards. But all of additional cost for SGI hardware is a waste if you are just number crunching.
However, the news that IBM and Alias are developing content-creation software for Linux is a very good sign. These are the tools that every artist would be using to push pixels, and that's the way to get a huge foothold in the Hollywood. That moves Linux for the room in the back to the desktop of each artist.
Plus, I think people misunderstand exactly how many hits and flops there are in the music industry. Not every CD makes the $0.59 for the label, it's an average for all CDs. According to the RIAA, there are 27000 new releases each year, which the big record companies release 7000. From those 7000 new releases each year, only 10% are profitable. All the rest break-even or lose money. Those 10% of CDs that are profitable, and sometimes very profitable, pay the labels and the support newer acts.
If you had read the article, you would have noticed that it was the Globe and Mail's reporter that used the word website. I was merely quoting the article. Slashdot used to be filled with people who actually read the article or notice the quotation marks. BTW, I do know that Napster is a service and not a website.
While the death of Eazel and the shuffle at Mandrake could slow down GUI development, it won't stop it. There are enough users and programmers out there that are satisfied and happy enough with Linux to continue using it. A critical mass of users and programmers exist already to continue to work on Linux. These people will continue developing apps and interfaces for Linux - the only problem is time. I believe it will take at least 4-5 years for Linux to be ready for the desktop. With Linux you have freedom, and with commercial apps they have money. And that money can make incredible things happen (like OS X - the only Unix for the masses out there) in a far shorter timeframe.
I've already seen several posts from people that this is just a case of curiosity and that the suspension was too severe. However, privacy is privacy. Many Slashdotters complain load and clear that they hate it when companies invade their privacy by sending spam, placing cookies on their computer and tracking users over the Internet (e.g. GUId). Yet, when someone hacks into a computer and looks aroung, many are willing to give all kinds of leeway and say that he's just curious and he really didn't do any harm. If privacy is so important to you (like it is to me), then any kind of hacking for curiosity sake is a violation of privacy. It does not matter if it is a poor user on the Internet, a school or a faceless big, bad corporation.
Companies and individuals have the right to charge whatever they want for the goods and services that they deliver. I bet not very many Slashdotters would be happy with the following statements.
Some programmers can be priced at up to $100000 for a year of work. As if companies have the money to pay $100000 to a programmer. I suggest that some of these programmers drop in price -- like down to $45 000. There we go!
Napster has not only not hurt CD sales or the music industry, but I would also argue that Napster has even helped the music industry by allowing millions of users a much greater exposure to music in general, thus the increase in CD sales.
WPA (Windows Product Activation) is not a bad thing. It is meant to protect Microsoft's investment in its own endeavors. Microsoft is a software developer (among other things) and has the right to implement such a feature on their own software.
This is exact same arguement I've used so many times with my friends. It is my right to distibute material under the license that I want. How would you feel if I started distributing GPLd software as BSD-licensed software? I could argue that this action helps consumers in general by providing outstanding source code to the multitude of shareware and freeware developers that don't want the restrictive GPL. This is effectively what Napster and many of its users are doing to the music industry.
Sure Britney Spears and the Backstreet Boys can make money on promotional materials and tours, but what about the smaller bands out there. I still have trouble seeing why anyone would buy a relatively unknown artist's promo material. They probably have to give it away to generate interest at radio stations and such. Or if they do sell stuff, it's just enough to cover the costs. People must want to buy stuff in order to sell it. I don't see a lot of interest for JonKatz's scented bath oil or a 12-months of Slashdot calander.
Drivers
Gamers want the best performance and the highest FPS for their games. I can download a binary driver for 95/98/ME and expect it to work for all versions and use a standard install routine. Under Linux it is a completely different beast. Want OpenGL and Nvidia's DRI Server for XWindows, go jump through these hoops. Want sound for my SoundBlaster Live use OSS. Trying to get DVD decoding support, go get Linux 2.4 or use the udfs and ioctl back-port to Linux 2.2. Get Livid and jump through more hoops. Want CD-RW support, struggle through another routine. Setup network card, select any number of paths. TV Tuner, go edit your modules.conf. What about USB devices, force feedback controllers... We need one standard install that will work for open-source binaries and closed binaries for all kinds of hardware. And don't tell me that Windows is easy because it is already set up, because gamers change drivers like they change underwear! This is how average users work. Plus, make sure it works now and into the near future. It amazes me that USB support is now in Linux, but has been available under Windows since 98.
Apps
Productivity apps first, then games. We really can't expect games on Linux under the sales can justify the effort. Plus, we are a lot closer on the productivity apps side than on the gaming side.
Gaming API
OpenGL is out and DirectX is in. Microsoft through a huge hodgepodge of features has made it in a great API. Want 3D, game controller support, force feedback API, 3D sound support, voice-over-network, etc.. go get DirectX. Unless we develop one huge API that can be installed in one step, developers have no idea what is supported on a particular machine. We are still in the dark ages of DOS gaming, where each game had limited hardware support and coding for certain cards.
My biggest problem is not the rating system, but the fact that the B.C. government - or governments in general - is in control of the rating system. Normally I don't care too much about ratings because I'm an adult. But government control is the killer. What happens when another school shooting and Quake-clone v1.4 is implicated? Does the government place different restrictions on this game? Or how about games dealing with "mature themes" such as gay and lesbian issues? A children's adventure game could have gay or lesbian parents; and I remember the debate over the same issues in books. I realize that the last one is stretching it, but other examples are readily available. Or how about the killing of animals. Should Deer Hunter be an all-ages game or a PG game? I'm sure that the NDP government and PETA have different views than mine. I don't want "concerned parents and politicians" blocking something based on the next election.
The vast majority of apps work perfectly well and are generally upwards compatible - especially on Windows 95, 98, 98SE, and the absolutely horrible ME. Lots of apps even work perfectly well on Windows NT and Windows 2000. While not perfect, the Microsoft camp has got binary compatibility between "distributions" down. Try that on the Linux side and the situation gets a lot muddier. I first need to worry about getting the glibc and libc library if I want binary rpms. Ever try to install newer RPMs onto a older version of Mandrake or RedHat. Secondly, things change in the Linux world. Try installing a new graphics driver or sound driver - now you might need to match kernel version if only a binary is available. Plus, you have to worry about different processors; believe it or not, a friend of mine downloaded a rpm for the alpha thinking it was an alpha version of XFree86 with the required driver.
How do you do most of the administration? Linux systems are different enough that administrators can have a lot of difficulty with the various sysadmin tasks. Do I use DrakConf, linuxconf, or edit the files by hand? Even if I use linuxconf, not all options could be set correctly so you have to go back to text editting. Try setting up dhcpcd using Linuxconf only on LM 7.2. You need to add DCHP_HOSTNAME to the ifcfg script. Or how about changing video drivers - try installing the Nvidia drivers and compare that the Windows method. Do I use Xconfigurator, DrakConf or sax? Use sndconfig or Draksound for your soundcard - works sometimes, but I always resort to hand editting.
Ask yourself how many times you've recompiled the kernel or know someone who did inorder to get something to work: DVD support, CD-RW support, NTFS support, etc.. How many people recompile Windows to add that kind of support?
The Windows way may be buggy sometimes and can cause headaches trying to fix it, but it is consistent. The Linux way is a complete jumble of different methods and interfaces, but if you edit it properly the problem is fixed and fixed for good.
Why are you willing to force artists into accepting your payment conditions, when you can't accept them either? I'm not saying that artists could not survive under this system, but that it should be their choice. Are you willing to do programming - which according to some is a form of expression - for micropayments?
Filenames, artists, albums, tracks that exactly match a RIAA submission would be rejected. I don't know of very many independent artists that name themselves Britney Spears and sing the same album and tracks.
Tracks that are re-shared could be automatically let into the system. So long as the MD5 and watermarks are the same as in the list.
Independent artist registered with an appropriate authenication system could submit MP3s to be freely traded. No need for verification. These could be watermarked for easy electronic verification. These would also be of very high quality, since they are legal MP3s. The legal MP3s could travel where ever they want within the system, and I see very little need to change bit rates, names, etc.. if these are legit tracks.
Independent artists who want tracks on Napster and are not registered (i.e., the garage bands) could submit works to be verified.
Given enough time computer software could be generated to watermark the MP3s that you want to be freely traded, which Napster could check. Copy-righted material could also be watermarked to disallow trading. If a particular watermarking scheme is broken, the RIAA can identify the songs and request that they be removed from the system.
Bootlegs would be a problem. Since they would not be watermarked and difficult to verify - have to verify with the band.
People swapping legal MP3s don't need to worry. They will be approved. People trading copyrighted material won't get approved. While this is a slow means of building up a database, it is a possible way. Plus any songs that slip through could be easily removed from the approved list. That is easier than trying to filter it in an uncontrolled environment.