Does anyone know who they are counting in the illegal category? Let's look at the US. Only about 60% of households have computers, and only about half of those have internet connections.
Now those numbers are going to be much higher in the US than other countries.
So less than 30% of US households have internet connections. That must mean that everyone who has a connection to the internet is downloading illegal music. Right?
OK, I'm blurring the line between music consumers and PC owners. But still, these numbers in the article are bogus.
Retailers sell items because people want to buy them. Items that won't sell won't be stocked.
The problem with Linux today is that there isn't a company out there telling cusomers why they want to run Linux. And frankly, even though a users experience with Windoze is generally not all that great, Linux is no better.
For the majority of computer users out there there is no compelling reason to switch. Plus most of those users couldn't even tell you what a Linux is.
Sorry, choice just isn't good enough in this case. There needs to be more marketing before Linux could take off on the desktop. I might also suggest that there may need to be a Linux distro that doesn't suck eggs as a home OS.
Ten years ago neither Intel nor HP knew how fast Windows workstations and servers would become commodity products.
There is no margin in Wintel. Thus there is no room to make revolutionary changes to the platform. It's just too expensive.
Plus, in the next ten years everything will be an appliance. It doesn't matter what's inside low to midrange servers anymore. They'll be gone before you know it.
Most of these DB File System implementations overlay the existing file system. The standard file access methods are still there. The DB functionality is implemented as extensions.
The DB tables are then implemented as special files that coexist nicely with the existing directory files.
Keep in mind that if a "new" file system breaks heirarchial file access is also breaks every app in existance.
The next format is online. See iTunes Music Store or other online vendors. RIAA is fighting the REAL menace... ala carte music. They want to launch preemptive restrictions on digital media.
It may be that they just want to muddle up digital music ditribution models, since they can't figure out how to play nice with it.
The big labels can't make it in an ala carte world. They rely on the fact that they are a necessary evil in distributing music. They need to force custmers to pay $15 for a CD with the 1 song they're after.
Unfortunatly for them, they are quickly loosing the label of "necessary".
The record companies in the end could care less about a bunch of kids listening to free music. They've been doing this for years. Now they're listening to the music via home burned CD and MP3's, a few years ago they were listening to this misic on tapes they copied off their friends.
Here is the big issue for the record companies. Full control of distribution medium. If the record companies can't control music on the internet it will invalidate their whole business model. They make tons of money on 1 Britany Spears song because the consumers MUST pay $20 to hear that song. They can justify this price because they pack 10-15 extra song that most people couldn't care less about. The internet means that if I want to buy that one song I like, I can buy just that song. This would kill the record companies. In addition, being able to distribute songs over the internet reduces the distribution costs to almost nil.
Tell me again why the record companies hate thie internet and PCs. For the same reason covered wagon producers hated Henry Ford!
The issue that should have us all shaking in our boots is what happens after a bill like this passes, god forbid.
After all, the mantra in congress is, "If at first you don't succeed, write more laws".
If the SSSCA passes, it wont be long until there is be a bill that makes opening any electronic device illegal.
And the snowball just keeps on truck'n from there...
Personally I think this whole issue comes down to one main point...
MOVIES AND MUSIC ARE NOT PRODUCTS, THEY ARE SERVICES.
The product is the transport of these services, i.e., CD, Tape, DVD. A few years ago they had a monopoly on the transport medium of their services. However technology changes and their control over the transport of their services has slipped away.
What these guys apparently don't get is that their business model must be reworked if they're going to stay in business. All it's going to take is a few smaller studios to embrace the changing technology and work out a solid business model using broadband or whatnot and they can slingshot themselves right past those who are kicking and screaming into technology.
The price for consumers didn't increase since a cap was placed on retail prices. But the wholesale prices that the power company pays the other "generators" was not capped. Many of the suppliers are limiting production of power in order to increase demand, and along with it price. The wholesale price for electricity has gone up tenfold in many places.
So... The price the power companies charge stays the same, and the price the power companies buy power for increases. Many places are selling power for a loss right now.
On top of that, the power companies are becoming more and more afraid that they'll never get paid for the power they share. So what do you do... Stop sharing power.
So, what do you get?
A half assed attempt to deregulate power.
Slashdot Mirror
Mod that one up as funny!
Does anyone know who they are counting in the illegal category? Let's look at the US. Only about 60% of households have computers, and only about half of those have internet connections.
Now those numbers are going to be much higher in the US than other countries.
So less than 30% of US households have internet connections. That must mean that everyone who has a connection to the internet is downloading illegal music. Right?
OK, I'm blurring the line between music consumers and PC owners. But still, these numbers in the article are bogus.
Retailers sell items because people want to buy them. Items that won't sell won't be stocked.
The problem with Linux today is that there isn't a company out there telling cusomers why they want to run Linux. And frankly, even though a users experience with Windoze is generally not all that great, Linux is no better.
For the majority of computer users out there there is no compelling reason to switch. Plus most of those users couldn't even tell you what a Linux is.
Sorry, choice just isn't good enough in this case. There needs to be more marketing before Linux could take off on the desktop. I might also suggest that there may need to be a Linux distro that doesn't suck eggs as a home OS.
I don't think MS would throw away all of their Mac application revenue just because Dell starts selling Macs.
Office is where MS makes its money, and the money from Mac users is just as green as the money from Windows users.
The only reason they'd stop selling Office on the Mac is if they couldn't make money doing so.
Ten years ago neither Intel nor HP knew how fast Windows workstations and servers would become commodity products.
There is no margin in Wintel. Thus there is no room to make revolutionary changes to the platform. It's just too expensive.
Plus, in the next ten years everything will be an appliance. It doesn't matter what's inside low to midrange servers anymore. They'll be gone before you know it.
Most of these DB File System implementations overlay the existing file system. The standard file access methods are still there. The DB functionality is implemented as extensions.
The DB tables are then implemented as special files that coexist nicely with the existing directory files.
Keep in mind that if a "new" file system breaks heirarchial file access is also breaks every app in existance.
The next format is online. See iTunes Music Store or other online vendors. RIAA is fighting the REAL menace... ala carte music. They want to launch preemptive restrictions on digital media.
It may be that they just want to muddle up digital music ditribution models, since they can't figure out how to play nice with it.
The big labels can't make it in an ala carte world. They rely on the fact that they are a necessary evil in distributing music. They need to force custmers to pay $15 for a CD with the 1 song they're after.
Unfortunatly for them, they are quickly loosing the label of "necessary".
They also hack other components of Windows!
Like putting Icons in the start menu.
And adding registry entries.
IT'S LIKE BIG BROTHER!!!
That should have read...
Format, Install Windows Server 2000 or 2003, Repeat
If you can't stay in business you have a bad business model (read: e-tailer).
Everyone should pay the same taxes (e-tailer, brick-mortar, catalog, etc.). We don't need to waste time propping up these failure companies.
It's only going to chase straight dot-coms out, and they aint worth a damn anyhow!
The old-school retailers already pay the taxes, and we are talking about an additional $20M for the WHOLE STATE!
That's peanuts.
Settle down everyone the sky is not falling!
Good call,
The record companies in the end could care less about a bunch of kids listening to free music. They've been doing this for years. Now they're listening to the music via home burned CD and MP3's, a few years ago they were listening to this misic on tapes they copied off their friends.
Here is the big issue for the record companies. Full control of distribution medium. If the record companies can't control music on the internet it will invalidate their whole business model. They make tons of money on 1 Britany Spears song because the consumers MUST pay $20 to hear that song. They can justify this price because they pack 10-15 extra song that most people couldn't care less about. The internet means that if I want to buy that one song I like, I can buy just that song. This would kill the record companies. In addition, being able to distribute songs over the internet reduces the distribution costs to almost nil.
Tell me again why the record companies hate thie internet and PCs. For the same reason covered wagon producers hated Henry Ford!
Why? Does dell chase all of the UPS trucks down and switch out their shipping hardware?
That's cool!
The issue that should have us all shaking in our boots is what happens after a bill like this passes, god forbid.
After all, the mantra in congress is, "If at first you don't succeed, write more laws".
If the SSSCA passes, it wont be long until there is be a bill that makes opening any electronic device illegal.
And the snowball just keeps on truck'n from there...
I thought they already sold the towel to Palm.
Right on!
Personally I think this whole issue comes down to one main point...
MOVIES AND MUSIC ARE NOT PRODUCTS, THEY ARE SERVICES.
The product is the transport of these services, i.e., CD, Tape, DVD. A few years ago they had a monopoly on the transport medium of their services. However technology changes and their control over the transport of their services has slipped away.
What these guys apparently don't get is that their business model must be reworked if they're going to stay in business. All it's going to take is a few smaller studios to embrace the changing technology and work out a solid business model using broadband or whatnot and they can slingshot themselves right past those who are kicking and screaming into technology.
Oh well, what do I know?
...But if the 'same old tricks' are at the expense of poor schools?
Believe it or not, at times companies throw capitalism to the side when it's the right thing to do.
The BSA is going to have a feeding frenzy on these poor schools once the "free" licenses run out.
Kinda like the crack dealer down the street.
Yeah, and so is their website!
This web browser brought to you by RPM brought to you by glibc broutght to you by make brought to you by gcc brought to you by ...
This could get messy
Oh, you mean the Supreme Court that ruled Dred Scott property?
:)
I think they're all retired by now.
Yeah, tell me that wouldn't be an awsome superhero!
If your first program doesn't SEGFAULT are you really learning anything?
If this were the '80s the Power Companies would be blaming this crisis on all the kids listening to Ozzy!
Sheesh...
The price for consumers didn't increase since a cap was placed on retail prices. But the wholesale prices that the power company pays the other "generators" was not capped. Many of the suppliers are limiting production of power in order to increase demand, and along with it price. The wholesale price for electricity has gone up tenfold in many places. So... The price the power companies charge stays the same, and the price the power companies buy power for increases. Many places are selling power for a loss right now. On top of that, the power companies are becoming more and more afraid that they'll never get paid for the power they share. So what do you do... Stop sharing power. So, what do you get? A half assed attempt to deregulate power.