It's almost impossible to tell how,or indeed if, this technology will come to market. If devices like these become common the only property that will have value will be "intellectual property", vanity items (made the "old fashioned" way because its, better, cooler, more personal, etc.) and things that can't, at the given level of technology, be duplicated (mostly living items?).
If companies think the Internet is an intellectual property nightmare, just wait until people can print out their own Mikado Moose (TM) hat for less than a penny instead of buying the one at the Disteny (TM) store at the mall for $10.99.
And the controversy over a device that can assemble items on a molecular level would be TRIVIAL compared to the first device that analyzes and COPIES items on a molecular level.
20 years won't be nearly enough time for all the lawsuits to work out. The internet took companies by surprise but I think there are enough that will see this threat coming to start the lawsuits before the final devices are on people's desks.
A "decade ago" if you made a sound card you bundled drivers for at least 3 "operating systems" (one may not count, the other definitely doesn't) DOS, Windows 3.x and Windows 95. Microsoft didn't solve the problem, the card maker did. It annoys me when people say that Microsoft had drivers when they where all supplied by the vendor (or they used the "Sound Blaster compatible" driver). FUD, FUD, FUD.
I am annoyed when some piece of hardware isn't supported by Linux, annoyed at the vendor who thinks there is something so special about their sound card that their competition would steal all their ideas if they released specs or an open source driver. Get a grip, it is a sound card, if it isn't some multichannel THX certified piece of pure pro kit, it just isn't that big a deal.
I think if you analyze your own questions you will get some of the answers without too much trouble.
1) The RIAA and MPAA are groups that include all of the major content distributors. Sony is not a monopoly, but the RIAA and MPAA are literally "the many as one" mono=one poly=many.
2)You are correct that the people involved in a transaction are the final arbiters of what the "correct" price in the transaction is. When enough people are will to defect to an illegal method with an inferior product you might take that as a vote that CD prices are too high.
3) Again, for the people who haven't opted out of this system CD prices are "correct" for others they are sub-optimal. There are people who will buy a $300,000 car, that does not mean that is the proper price point for all cars.
Don't misunderstand me, downloading music you have not paid the producers and/or distributors for is against the law (though I have downloaded songs that I DO have on CD because it was easier that ripping it myself- is that wrong?) but the fact that it is so common now indicates that the winds of change are stirring. Breaking the law is not disincentive enough to stop people, there has to be a greater good in not breaking that law. People stop at red lights because they realize there is a social contract between them and the other drivers that benefits everyone. Copyright has hit the pivot point where it benefits too few of the people to be respected. This is the same thing that happened to prohibition, a law that benefits too few or inconveniences too many can't survive long.
Okay, normally I leave the Grammar Nazi posts to others. However "they was it used to be" in a post cracking on the writing in the articles? Pot, the kettle called and would like to borrow some black.
If you go to almost any truck stop you can find alarm clocks with 110+ db alarms. Not comforting to think that truckers may use them to wake themselves up periodically while driving though...:)
Is it just me? More Innovation(TM) out of Redmond! I personally am tired of hearing about XML based things that are XML-based (or worse XML-like) for the sake of "buzz" compliance. This isn't just a slam on Microsoft, it's all the companies that are looking for a way to jam the letters XML into their marketing pamphlets.
http://rep.oio.dk/Microsoft.com/officeschemas/Le ga lNotice.htm
I think it was the ?frame=True on the end.
But it was the wrong link anyway it was the link about displaying their legal notice.
Now that I have pointed out my lack of focus and competance today, could someone explain what you can POSSIBLY do in a XML schema that is patent worthy?
From the Legal info link. "There is a separate patent license available to parties interested in implementing software programs that can read and write files that conform to the Specification. This patent license is available at this location: http://www.microsoft.com/mscorp/ip/format/xmlpaten tlicense.asp." (And just for giggles that link is no good) An "Open" XML schema that needs a patent license to write software that can read or write it is rapidly approaching the speed of useless. So if you had a plan to start work on an Openoffice filter find out what that patent license entails.
No, I'm not confusing the Linux kernel with the OS. While I am sure up2date, urpmi, and apt-get can be ported to *BSD, and various flavors of UNIX they usually aren't. Like many, I used (not confused) the word Linux to refer to the operating system, perhaps you would prefer I say GNU/Linux? Unix vendors usually have their own ways of dealing with the question of mass/remote administration and updating. The BSD's are welcome to develop strategies in concert with major GNU/Linux distributions or roll their own, but your comment "Updatera and new software install is just simply easier all around on the Mac" underscores my point, Linux, GNU/Linux, *nix, Unix like--whatever you want to say, need to work on tools that make this easier if they want to compete with other environments.
I have never seen what tools there are for Mac networks but I am a little surprised that they are well developed enough that this decision was made. This tells linux developers (and distros) what they have to concentrate on to improve the adoption of linux. Up2date is OK as a replacement for "Windows Update" but it doesn't quite rise to the level of a solution for wide spread site management. Apt-get, urpmi, they all could do with a little work to make a real turn key solution for large scale management. I know a lot of people would say cron+(up2date/urpmi/apt-get)==instant site update, but I think some managers need a clearer path, like "Suse Update Sever(tm) version 1.2". Spending money on a clue is sometimes more comforting than thinking.
I correct myself on one point, the "thin clients" that are running a full version of XP could have no CD drive, so technically they would have "less hardware", but diskless terminals are still probably the only chance you have at a cost savings.
A REAL thin client has less hardware, and that would be good and possibly a savings over time. If they are running a full version of XP on each unit as mentioned in the original post they are just using PC's as clients (by the way ask the consultant who told you this was the way to go how you are going to save money by A) Buying full versions of XP for each machine. B) Terminal servers C) AND a seat license for each computer/terminal, if the answer isn't "well er... uh... I guess you won't." there is a good chance he is either a liar, idiot, or Microsoft rep.)
Bruce said: "The other SCO code snippet Perens walks through had to do with memory allocation functions in Unix System V and Linux. He says there was, in fact, "an error in the Linux developer's process," specifically a programmer at SGI, and he says while the Linux community had the legal right to this code, it didn't belong in Linux and was therefore removed."
Was twisted by SCO into: "an admission by Open Source leader Bruce Perens that UNIX System V code (owned by SCO) is, in fact, in Linux, and it shouldn't be there. Mr Perens stated that there is "an error in the Linux developer's process" which allowed Unix System V code that "didn't belong in Linux" to end up in the Linux kernel"
So by saying it was REMOVED (we will say it slow so you can follow along Darl), Bruce Perens admitted that it ended up in the Linux kernel? Can SCO tell the truth at all, or do they all just live on Bizarro world?
Actually Microsoft is the only company I have ever seen that can delay a product 5 or 6 times and THEN rush it out the door ready or not. Don't get me wrong I'm not saying your theory about hardware and licensing are wrong, I'm just saying this delay is classic Microsoft.
The other day I read an article that said NT might be a bigger threat to Microsoft sales than Linux, now suddenlt there is this unfixable bug. Hmmmmmmmm.
Dropping 2000 for XP server? Oh wait there is no XP server... Maybe the people you are talking about don't use severs? Don't get me wrong I would like to see more people consider dropping Windows 2000 servers, they would be switching to UNIX, or LINUX 90% of the time if they did.
Try this. if you have one of these laptops that seems to have a short battery life (You'll notice, battery meters will say you have 100%, 95%, 90%, 85%, 80%, 75%, then suddenly 5%.) run until the battery is "dead". Then use tape to cover the two MIDDLE battery terminals these are the terminals that report the charge level back to the laptop. (there are 4 altogether). Put the battery back in and the laptop will start right up, I get another 30-40 minutes. Any battery monitors will report that you don't have a battery installed so you won't know how much time you have left, AND DO NOT CHARGE YOUR LAPTOP WITH THESE TERMINALS COVERED. The laptop will not detect when the battery is full and you can overcharge the battery permanently damaging it (not that it isn't screwed up already)
1) Appropriate uses of mp3 (or Ogg), Making compilations of your own CD's for your own use. The problem is that my use may include playing the songs in my friends car, at my girlfriends house or any other playback device that is handy. The copy-once formats mean I have to redo that compilation everytime I want to use a different format instead of copy it from a cd-r to a compact flash card.
3) This doesn't really answer your question, but maybe it is helpful. The DMCA doesn't help. Unauthorized copying of copyrighted material was already illegal. The DMCA is more damaging because it limits thought and discussion about these issues, you can't make a device that works around a copy protection mechanism. (In the physical world this would be a law the makes bending a paper to open your desk drawer illegal) you can't publically TALK about defeating a copy protection mechanism.
There is nothing about the DMCA that is redeemable that isn't already covered in some other law. The obsession with treating all things "digital" as if they are somehow not covered by the older copyright laws needs to end.
There are a thousand ways that "some people" can sniff what you do. I have heard rumors of government technology that can get some data about what you are typing by tapping your electrical lines, or even fron the sound of your typing, devices that can recreate the image on a CRT from across the street. It all sounds like "Enemy of the State" paranoia until you find out it is real (Echelon anyone?). Security is an illusion unless you take very STRONG precautions. A fact of life, not that I haven't thought about distributing a one time code pad to a few choice friends just in case:) Be VERY careful about the physical security of your machine of get used it.
call up the government and ask them to send me a copy of a fax I received a year ago? This is all absurd. When do they start legislating that you can't conduct business by snail mail because it costs to much to open and photocopy each page. Do pet names count as encryption? Stop the MaDnEsS! Contact any legislator that you can find that can effect these plans and let them know that you will never support a canidate/party that advocates the wholesale capture of data based on the idea that someday they might want to use some of it against the "bad guys".
I agree that the epson printers are probably the best solution for a not-ultra-expensive printer under linux. The only downside I have found is that the "head charging" tends to make ink go pretty fast. The prints are excellent though(I think they are better than under windows with epson's own drivers).
Mr. Carr fails to notice that every form of media he mentions besides the internet is mostly limited to LARGE outlets, i.e. corporations, the rich, the downright lucky.
Part of the reason for this is regulation,only a well funded group can keep up with all the reporting and oversight requirements and/or defend themselves in court when they screw up.
How do you publish a book? Write a book, convince a publishing company that it is worth the money it takes to print and advertise it, in hopes that they can make money off of your work, your idea doesn't have to be good, plausible, or even original, just SELLABLE.
How do you get a web page? Go to yahoo, sign up for 20 megs free. Follow the directions or learn HTML, your idea doesn't have to be good, plausible, or even original OR SELLABLE.
Is this ideal? No. But will the human ability to integrate information disappear if it continues? I doubt it.
I have have been using Mozilla daily for months now and the one thing I REALLY want to be worked on is the way it handles JAVA! I wouldn't mind it being a memory hog if it were for a good reason (more features, better stability than 4.7X etc.) but as it is it is worse that 4.7X for JAVA. It renders very nicely, I can log in to most secure sites I have tried, no problems.
I have to use IE on NT4 at work and really Mozilla(w/Linux) has been just as stable for me, they both crash but not often. The one other wish item would be printing that works well.
Slashdot Mirror
It's almost impossible to tell how,or indeed if, this technology will come to market. If devices like these become common the only property that will have value will be "intellectual property", vanity items (made the "old fashioned" way because its, better, cooler, more personal, etc.) and things that can't, at the given level of technology, be duplicated (mostly living items?).
If companies think the Internet is an intellectual property nightmare, just wait until people can print out their own Mikado Moose (TM) hat for less than a penny instead of buying the one at the Disteny (TM) store at the mall for $10.99.
And the controversy over a device that can assemble items on a molecular level would be TRIVIAL compared to the first device that analyzes and COPIES items on a molecular level.
20 years won't be nearly enough time for all the lawsuits to work out. The internet took companies by surprise but I think there are enough that will see this threat coming to start the lawsuits before the final devices are on people's desks.
A "decade ago" if you made a sound card you bundled drivers for at least 3 "operating systems" (one may not count, the other definitely doesn't) DOS, Windows 3.x and Windows 95. Microsoft didn't solve the problem, the card maker did. It annoys me when people say that Microsoft had drivers when they where all supplied by the vendor (or they used the "Sound Blaster compatible" driver). FUD, FUD, FUD.
I am annoyed when some piece of hardware isn't supported by Linux, annoyed at the vendor who thinks there is something so special about their sound card that their competition would steal all their ideas if they released specs or an open source driver. Get a grip, it is a sound card, if it isn't some multichannel THX certified piece of pure pro kit, it just isn't that big a deal.
I think if you analyze your own questions you will get some of the answers without too much trouble.
1) The RIAA and MPAA are groups that include all of the major content distributors. Sony is not a monopoly, but the RIAA and MPAA are literally "the many as one" mono=one poly=many.
2)You are correct that the people involved in a transaction are the final arbiters of what the "correct" price in the transaction is. When enough people are will to defect to an illegal method with an inferior product you might take that as a vote that CD prices are too high.
3) Again, for the people who haven't opted out of this system CD prices are "correct" for others they are sub-optimal. There are people who will buy a $300,000 car, that does not mean that is the proper price point for all cars.
Don't misunderstand me, downloading music you have not paid the producers and/or distributors for is against the law (though I have downloaded songs that I DO have on CD because it was easier that ripping it myself- is that wrong?) but the fact that it is so common now indicates that the winds of change are stirring. Breaking the law is not disincentive enough to stop people, there has to be a greater good in not breaking that law. People stop at red lights because they realize there is a social contract between them and the other drivers that benefits everyone. Copyright has hit the pivot point where it benefits too few of the people to be respected. This is the same thing that happened to prohibition, a law that benefits too few or inconveniences too many can't survive long.
Okay, normally I leave the Grammar Nazi posts to others. However "they was it used to be" in a post cracking on the writing in the articles? Pot, the kettle called and would like to borrow some black.
If you go to almost any truck stop you can find alarm clocks with 110+ db alarms. Not comforting to think that truckers may use them to wake themselves up periodically while driving though... :)
Is it just me? More Innovation(TM) out of Redmond! I personally am tired of hearing about XML based things that are XML-based (or worse XML-like) for the sake of "buzz" compliance. This isn't just a slam on Microsoft, it's all the companies that are looking for a way to jam the letters XML into their marketing pamphlets.
Actually it was the link on this page:
e ga lNotice.htm
http://rep.oio.dk/Microsoft.com/officeschemas/L
I think it was the ?frame=True on the end.
But it was the wrong link anyway it was the link about displaying their legal notice.
Now that I have pointed out my lack of focus and competance today, could someone explain what you can POSSIBLY do in a XML schema that is patent worthy?
From the Legal info link.n tlicense.asp."
"There is a separate patent license available to parties interested in implementing software programs that can read and write files that conform to the Specification. This patent license is available at this location: http://www.microsoft.com/mscorp/ip/format/xmlpate
(And just for giggles that link is no good)
An "Open" XML schema that needs a patent license to write software that can read or write it is rapidly approaching the speed of useless. So if you had a plan to start work on an Openoffice filter find out what that patent license entails.
http://www.killefiz.de/zaurus/showdetail.php?app=3 45
No, I'm not confusing the Linux kernel with the OS. While I am sure up2date, urpmi, and apt-get can be ported to *BSD, and various flavors of UNIX they usually aren't. Like many, I used (not confused) the word Linux to refer to the operating system, perhaps you would prefer I say GNU/Linux? Unix vendors usually have their own ways of dealing with the question of mass/remote administration and updating. The BSD's are welcome to develop strategies in concert with major GNU/Linux distributions or roll their own, but your comment "Updatera and new software install is just simply easier all around on the Mac" underscores my point, Linux, GNU/Linux, *nix, Unix like--whatever you want to say, need to work on tools that make this easier if they want to compete with other environments.
I have never seen what tools there are for Mac networks but I am a little surprised that they are well developed enough that this decision was made. This tells linux developers (and distros) what they have to concentrate on to improve the adoption of linux. Up2date is OK as a replacement for "Windows Update" but it doesn't quite rise to the level of a solution for wide spread site management. Apt-get, urpmi, they all could do with a little work to make a real turn key solution for large scale management. I know a lot of people would say cron+(up2date/urpmi/apt-get)==instant site update, but I think some managers need a clearer path, like "Suse Update Sever(tm) version 1.2". Spending money on a clue is sometimes more comforting than thinking.
I correct myself on one point, the "thin clients" that are running a full version of XP could have no CD drive, so technically they would have "less hardware", but diskless terminals are still probably the only chance you have at a cost savings.
A REAL thin client has less hardware, and that would be good and possibly a savings over time. If they are running a full version of XP on each unit as mentioned in the original post they are just using PC's as clients (by the way ask the consultant who told you this was the way to go how you are going to save money by A) Buying full versions of XP for each machine. B) Terminal servers C) AND a seat license for each computer/terminal, if the answer isn't "well er... uh... I guess you won't." there is a good chance he is either a liar, idiot, or Microsoft rep.)
Bruce said:
"The other SCO code snippet Perens walks through had to do with memory allocation functions in Unix System V and Linux. He says there was, in fact, "an error in the Linux developer's process," specifically a programmer at SGI, and he says while the Linux community had the legal right to this code, it didn't belong in Linux and was therefore removed."
Was twisted by SCO into:
"an admission by Open Source leader Bruce Perens that UNIX System V code (owned by SCO) is, in fact, in Linux, and it shouldn't be there. Mr Perens stated that there is "an error in the Linux developer's process" which allowed Unix System V code that "didn't belong in Linux" to end up in the Linux kernel"
So by saying it was REMOVED (we will say it slow so you can follow along Darl), Bruce Perens admitted that it ended up in the Linux kernel? Can SCO tell the truth at all, or do they all just live on Bizarro world?
Actually Microsoft is the only company I have ever seen that can delay a product 5 or 6 times and THEN rush it out the door ready or not. Don't get me wrong I'm not saying your theory about hardware and licensing are wrong, I'm just saying this delay is classic Microsoft.
The other day I read an article that said NT might be a bigger threat to Microsoft sales than Linux, now suddenlt there is this unfixable bug. Hmmmmmmmm.
Dropping 2000 for XP server? Oh wait there is no XP server... Maybe the people you are talking about don't use severs? Don't get me wrong I would like to see more people consider dropping Windows 2000 servers, they would be switching to UNIX, or LINUX 90% of the time if they did.
By the way I have a Li-Ion battery and I have this problem, so it's not charge memory.
--OFFTOPIC--
Anyone know an easy way to get the sound on a TP 600 (300mhz PII) working in redhat 8.0?
Try this. if you have one of these laptops that seems to have a short battery life (You'll notice, battery meters will say you have 100%, 95%, 90%, 85%, 80%, 75%, then suddenly 5%.) run until the battery is "dead". Then use tape to cover the two MIDDLE battery terminals these are the terminals that report the charge level back to the laptop. (there are 4 altogether). Put the battery back in and the laptop will start right up, I get another 30-40 minutes. Any battery monitors will report that you don't have a battery installed so you won't know how much time you have left, AND DO NOT CHARGE YOUR LAPTOP WITH THESE TERMINALS COVERED. The laptop will not detect when the battery is full and you can overcharge the battery permanently damaging it (not that it isn't screwed up already)
1) Appropriate uses of mp3 (or Ogg), Making compilations of your own CD's for your own use. The problem is that my use may include playing the songs in my friends car, at my girlfriends house or any other playback device that is handy. The copy-once formats mean I have to redo that compilation everytime I want to use a different format instead of copy it from a cd-r to a compact flash card.
3) This doesn't really answer your question, but maybe it is helpful. The DMCA doesn't help. Unauthorized copying of copyrighted material was already illegal. The DMCA is more damaging because it limits thought and discussion about these issues, you can't make a device that works around a copy protection mechanism. (In the physical world this would be a law the makes bending a paper to open your desk drawer illegal) you can't publically TALK about defeating a copy protection mechanism.
There is nothing about the DMCA that is redeemable that isn't already covered in some other law. The obsession with treating all things "digital" as if they are somehow not covered by the older copyright laws needs to end.
There are a thousand ways that "some people" can sniff what you do. I have heard rumors of government technology that can get some data about what you are typing by tapping your electrical lines, or even fron the sound of your typing, devices that can recreate the image on a CRT from across the street. It all sounds like "Enemy of the State" paranoia until you find out it is real (Echelon anyone?). Security is an illusion unless you take very STRONG precautions. A fact of life, not that I haven't thought about distributing a one time code pad to a few choice friends just in case:) Be VERY careful about the physical security of your machine of get used it.
Insert pithy comment here.
call up the government and ask them to send me a copy of a fax I received a year ago? This is all absurd. When do they start legislating that you can't conduct business by snail mail because it costs to much to open and photocopy each page. Do pet names count as encryption? Stop the MaDnEsS! Contact any legislator that you can find that can effect these plans and let them know that you will never support a canidate/party that advocates the wholesale capture of data based on the idea that someday they might want to use some of it against the "bad guys".
Insert pithy comment here.
I agree that the epson printers are probably the best solution for a not-ultra-expensive printer under linux. The only downside I have found is that the "head charging" tends to make ink go pretty fast. The prints are excellent though(I think they are better than under windows with epson's own drivers).
Insert pithy comment here.
Mr. Carr fails to notice that every form of media he mentions besides the internet is mostly limited to LARGE outlets, i.e. corporations, the rich, the downright lucky.
Part of the reason for this is regulation,only a well funded group can keep up with all the reporting and oversight requirements and/or defend themselves in court when they screw up.
How do you publish a book? Write a book, convince a publishing company that it is worth the money it takes to print and advertise it, in hopes that they can make money off of your work, your idea doesn't have to be good, plausible, or even original, just SELLABLE.
How do you get a web page? Go to yahoo, sign up for 20 megs free. Follow the directions or learn HTML, your idea doesn't have to be good, plausible, or even original OR SELLABLE.
Is this ideal? No. But will the human ability to integrate information disappear if it continues? I doubt it.
Insert pithy comment here.
I have have been using Mozilla daily for months now and the one thing I REALLY want to be worked on is the way it handles JAVA! I wouldn't mind it being a memory hog if it were for a good reason (more features, better stability than 4.7X etc.) but as it is it is worse that 4.7X for JAVA. It renders very nicely, I can log in to most secure sites I have tried, no problems. I have to use IE on NT4 at work and really Mozilla(w/Linux) has been just as stable for me, they both crash but not often. The one other wish item would be printing that works well.
Insert pithy comment here.