"In phase one, the only details that will be entered are name, address and Meter Point Asset Number - the number in the corner of every household electricity bill which is unique to that property" - bbc.co.uk
Kazaa is, AFAIK, a closed-source proprietary network. This network is presumably written and maintained by a small staff of dedicated programmers. If these programmers are prevented from maintaining the code and Kazaa is not released as open source, the product will effectively die.
Actually enforcing such a scheme, even just for US netizens, would be a very difficult task.
Not only that, but Im fairly sure that tracking people (and consequently collecting information about them) would be an illegal act in itself.
No, the only way to combat music-sharing is to fight on the same turf. Setup a secure server; allow people to download tracks for a small(er) fee. Offer additional features, competitions, chances to win things etc. Give them a reason to pay for the music online, and maybe they will...
AFAIK, Kazaa uses a closed-source proprietry licensing model. Therefore, if the host company is shutdown, further development is halted. With no updates, people will quickly switch to another P2P network (ie Gnutella) and Kazaa is effectively dead.
Slashdot Mirror
"In phase one, the only details that will be entered are name, address and Meter Point Asset Number - the number in the corner of every household electricity bill which is unique to that property" - bbc.co.uk
Time to fire up the genny then..
"'m sure you've also heard of a guy named Fowler... Martin Fowler"
;-)
Yeah, isnt he wanted for reckless-driving.
Sorry, UK-joke.
Ah, but thats not entirely true.
Kazaa is, AFAIK, a closed-source proprietary network. This network is presumably written and maintained by a small staff of dedicated programmers. If these programmers are prevented from maintaining the code and Kazaa is not released as open source, the product will effectively die.
"I really don't see why /. is running the story in the first place"
Because Slashdot promotes the open discussion of material, not just one person's narrow-minded view.
Not everything in life is black or white you know...
Thats extremely unlikely to happen.
Actually enforcing such a scheme, even just for US netizens, would be a very difficult task.
Not only that, but Im fairly sure that tracking people (and consequently collecting information about them) would be an illegal act in itself.
No, the only way to combat music-sharing is to fight on the same turf. Setup a secure server; allow people to download tracks for a small(er) fee. Offer additional features, competitions, chances to win things etc. Give them a reason to pay for the music online, and maybe they will...
Just my $0.02...
The problem lies in the licensing.
AFAIK, Kazaa uses a closed-source proprietry licensing model. Therefore, if the host company is shutdown, further development is halted. With no updates, people will quickly switch to another P2P network (ie Gnutella) and Kazaa is effectively dead.