Across the Internet, new sites and business models are proliferating that make music accessible online while respecting the copyright protection at the heart of the creative process.
What is ownership? Where did this idea come from that someone has all these "rights" to something they create? When I work, and create things, I get paid, but I don't get paid over and over again for the bit of work forever. I have to keep working to keep the money rolling in. Why do people seem to think that musicians and other artists have some special right that the rest of us don't have to make money from their art for signifigant periods of time?
The fact is, if Mr. Somerson had his way, artists would never again own their own music, and there wouldn't be any further incentive to make it.
Mankind has been making music, as well as other forms of art since long before there was any concept of "copyright."
Copyright is dead. New business models will emerge.
Unfortunately, I won't be able to be there tonight, as I have yet to aquite a computer at my apartment. I'm confined to reading/. at work at the moment.
However... I've been reading/. for some months now, and I have yet to moderate. I have been waiting (patiently, IMHO) for such a time to come, but so far it hasn't. I've tried to meta moderate, but it tells me I haven't been here long enough (and yes, I have "willing to moderate" set to the correct setting).
Here is an issue I have with the system. I don't have a terrible amount to say. I read here every day, and most articles, but I post only when I find something I'm knowledgable on, or have strong opinions about, and even then, I won't post if someone has already said what I'm going to say. Those are times when what I would like to do is mod that person up, to show my agreement. I think my karma is like two, simply because I don't post that often.
Anyway, I just wanted to throw my two cents into the pool. Have fun tonight, wish I could be there.
I, like many people here, I think, began their computer life on local BBSes.
These BBSes had a very strong feeling of community, and many of the people I know from a BBS, I am still in close contact with today. When I was a kid, they were almost my only social life.
When BBSes began to die, that saddened me a lot, and I missed the sense of community. The point of this whole post is that/. has come closer than anything else since BBSes to give me a sense of a "virtual community."
You know, when I see things like this, I realize that we've taken this concept of IP simply too far...
Copyright is dead, and I think it's time we started to accept that and move on to new models, instead of trying to do rediculous things with the old one. Cut our losses and get out and find a better way of doing things.
I have indeed noticed that there are some common trends that thread they're way through certain types of people. For instance, people who are into computers are more often than not into role playing, anime and certain other non-computer-related activities. Hell, you can see it in the kind of posts we get here on slashdot.
I don't, however, know if these traits are developed independently, for instance whether it's just the same kind of people who are interested in computers are the same kinds of people who are interested in d&d, or whether it's the influence of the geek community that introduces us to these things.
[shrug] I don't know really, but I think these are fairly common trends, do tell me if I'm wrong.
Okay, I have a lot to say about this, actually, so here comes a rant.
I am actually quite a good example of this. When I was 12 I started playing around with an old 286 and by 13 I put an ad in the paper to teach computers. I did that for something like six years, and along the way, dropped out of highschool at 15. Socially, this didn't affect me much because all of my social life was through a local BBS anyway (Ah, the days of local BBSs... [sigh]).
I eventually got very bored with compters and went travelling for a while, but recently, I've decided that I missed the geek world. I missed forums like this, I missed hacking into my code, hell, I just missed the whole part of my life. So with a little help from a good friend, I returned to the fold of geekdom, and here I am.
But anyway, I was going to talk about college... I once worked for a guy who, when I told him I wasn't going to college, said "You gotta go to college! If nothing else it's a place to go and get laid for four years!" And I think this sums up what is most important about college today. It's not the classes you take (although granted, they are very important), but it is the social aspects. I've seen quite a few dorks (here in Boston, recently), for whom college is doing them much good. They're not learning much from their classes, but living here, semi-on-their-own, drinking, smoking, meeting girls (or boys, but I've seen far fewer female or homosexual male geeks than the plain ol' male variety, but that's a completely different discussion)!
However, I do think the academic subjects we study at college are important. Right now, I am working in computers (network admin), and I find I have a great desire to go to classes, so I am. Unofficially, of course, but that doesn't matter. I don't value a degree very highly. I think the computer industry is different from almost all others that have come before it in that employers don't value a degree very highly. I'm sure many people will disagree with this, but in general, here in the tech world, if you've got the skills, that's what counts, IMHO.
This is probably a stupid question, but what business really does the FCC have in making this decision? They are (am I wrong?) not an elected body, so their decision doesn't reflect what the public wants. Democracy anyone?
I'm not making any moral judgements on this, I'm simply stating observed fact. Certainly, many companies purchase licenses, but there are LOTS of indivisuals who DON'T. I just thought I would point this out.
Okay, this is too funny. The link doesn't seem to work though, must have been/. 'ed. Does anyone have another link, or possibly can e-mail me a copy? Napster doesn't work here cause of our shitty proxy server!
I don't mean to sound silly here, but who out there actually pays for Microsoft software? I know that most people get the Windows license when they buy machines, so of course those are payed for and often machines come with Office lincenses as well, but as far as anything beyond that, I know few people who pay for upgrades, or anything else from Microsoft. Office must be more often bootlegged than any other piece of software. I mean, be honest, dear slashdotters. I know this is a moot point in the legal cases, but something to remember, eh?
Admitedly, this may be slightly off-topic, but the very root of all our problems is captialism, and it's downsides, is it not? In a world without it, do we not eliminate most of these problems? Certainly other social systems have their problems as well, but has anyone given any thought to this as the foundation of all these problems?
I'm personally a big fan of some of the works of B.F. Skinner, and I think that many of the ideas he proposed could be an interesting alternative to capitalism, not to mention a perfect social model for implenting global computer networking.
Anyway, just a thought, to stimulate the conversation in new directions.
Okay, I really want to know. Who was it that actually got this? This person must have been massively in demand. I bet he's out there reading/. right now! Who are you, we want to know! Someone else must know as well, the HR department, someone at the compnay, someone must be able to leak the information! I'm looking forward to finding out.;)
Here's a small example. Remember how the industry was back in the mid 70's and early 80's? It was pretty much the same deal -- People shared software openly, without much of a regard for where it came from.
I'd just like to make one point. There are some things that are fundamentally different today in the computer world than the 70's and 80's. Back in those days, the majority of computer users were geeks. They were people who were into the technology. These are the people who used and contributed to open source, and they still are today. And while I'm not suggesting there are less of these people (including myself), I am suggesting there are a shit load more people who couldn't give a shit! Do you have any idea how many 13 year old girls there are on the net who don't care whether the software they're using is open source or not, and if it was, they could't modify it? How many businesspeople are on the net who are in a business totally unrelated to computers but now requiring technology? These people don't have a problem with closed source. They just want standards.
Anyway, not entirely sure where I was going with that, but I hope I made some point. Perhaps just that this ain't the eighties anymore, pal.;)
Thank you very much for pointing out a very important point. However, the idea of powering vehicles with electricity is not a bad one, the problem is that we simply need a new method of power generation.
There have been many people to work on this and a lot of that work has been surpressed over the years. I don't claim to be an expert in anything but I've read a few books about a guy named Viktor Schauberger (don't know any links off the top of my head, but do a search on altavista and amazon, I know there's lots about him), who was a very interesting austrian scientist something like a hundred years ago, who propsed many interesting alternatives and ideas. Also, we can't forget Nicola Tesla (same things, do a search), who a lot of people think was on the verge of solving a lot of these issues but again, whos would could have been surpressed.
I don't mean to be spouting conspiracy theories, but I think it's important that we look at every problem fresh and not dismiss any ideas just because they don't jibe with what we already know. Someday I hope to study these scientists and people like them in detail and perhaps follow up on some of their work, who knows?
--Joshua
It just needs to get smaller...
on
Focusing Audio
·
· Score: 1
I can see great postential for this when it gets much smaller. Imagine when this could be built into my hat, to provide me with my own personal sound system surrounding my head. Combine this with a system to display to my eyes (check out Microvision) and you've got a personal computer output device. Now all we need are sensors to detect where my hands are and a "virtual keyboard" and a microphone with voice recognition, and now we've got a personal input/output device built into my hat. Add a wireless connection to any computer that happens to be around or even a connection to the net via sattelite, and now we've got something with REAL potential!
I think a better solution would be simply to elimiate most of these devices in favor of a better device.
Some of what you said I can agree with. The lights, heat, A/C, and doorbell. That's all great, becuase those are stationary things.
As for your TV, why does that need to be a separate device? Can't that just be a big output device from your central computer (or secondary computer for data storage of all your movies/tv/etc.)? I mean, why does that need to be a device with it's own electronics, it's just a screen? Store all your movies and shit on your computer (in your office, basement, wherever), and just have input/output devices wherever you like them. As for an alarm clock, I think that's something that the PDA can take over for. Just have a cradle for it by your bed. As for stereo, why do you need one? Store mp3's (or whatever format) on your computer and wire your house with a speaker system (output device). Now you can control any of these devices from any convienient input/output device (PDA, workstation on your desk, tv, workstation in another room, whatever). You see, this idea of having all these dedicated devices strikes me as a bit silly with all this beautiful digital convergence.
Morality is totally relative. I am not at the moment a parent, but in a few years (5? 10?) I very well could be, and I'm sure I have very different ideas about what is "appropriate" and "moral" than you do. I happen to think that there is not nearly as much bad about pornography as most people think, and that sex is not something that should be hidden from children. I plan to show my kids the internet, to show them where the porn is and say "If you want it, it's here. There's nothing wrong with it and nothing to be ashamed of." I suspect that this will have a much more positive effect than saying "No porn for you."
I remember when I was growing up, I was always trying to get my hands on porn, hell at 12 I got on the internet for that very purpose! I remember the fear and worry I felt that my parents would find out, and I ask myself now "Is that fear of any use whatsoever? Does it acomplish anything except add more anxiety to an already overly stressed world?" I suspect it doesn't, so I want to save my kids that anxiety.
Sorry, a bit off-topic, I know, but I think that the key issue in whether or not to censor is to ask ourselves WHY we are censoring... What is it we're afraid of? Is it sex? Sex isn't something to be afraid of, is it?
Anyway, just my two cents on this issue, albeit a bit off topic.;-)
I had a very good friend, who, a genius programmer, once wrote pong in DOS Batch. This was far far far more useless than porting DOOM to a digital camera.;)
Granted, this idea does have it's fair share of dangers, but there is one advantage I see. I've changed my e-mail address quite a bit, and it's always a hassle because it's usually associated with the place I am, or the company I work at, or the provider I use. I currently have a hotmail address, which is also annoying because it's so web based. I'm not sure how they're planning to arrange this, but if I could have an e-mail address I like, then have that forward to wherever I am, I would like that. As long as it doesn't change when I physically move. But that depends on how they handle it, of course.
I think we need to consider the notion that regular users will NEVER go to *NIX as it is now, they are not coders, and they don't want to be. They want something that is easy to use and works... I do suspect we'll end up with an OS that has some of the ideas of *NIX, but the usablity of Windows. Perhaps this project is it. Perhaps they will keep some *NIX concepts, like multi-user, and security, etc, and use an interface that boots and is easy to use, hopefully a lot more stable than MS's version. I hope they succeed.
"Does ANYONE honestly believe that a pharmaceutical company, which spends millions or billions of dollars in research and development to produce drugs that YOU ALL USE AND NEED would continue to do this if they were not allowed to make a return on their investment, time, and effort? NOT! Those anti-cancer drugs do not produce themselves. There is a tremendous amount of time, effort, and money involved in saving your lives or keeping you living and healthy. If you want drugs to treat your INEVITABLE diseases, then intellectual property protection and patents are absolutely necessary. No protection, no drugs." We don't all NEED drugs. I almost NEVER use any product of the pharmaceutical industry becuase I don't trust it, and don't like it's methods. Health is something I create for myself, not something bought with money. Anyway, there's one thing that's for sure. The internet is too good a media not to destroy most aspects of the publishing industry. Consider what it costs to print books (both in money and in environmental resources), then consider what it takes to copy that book from my machine to yours. We're seeing the distribution of music change. Next will be TV and movies, books, magazines and newspapers (which we're already seeing, I read my news online). Computers will become more common to the point where this change is even more marked. This is inevitable, and I wonder what will go next. -Joshua
"I have a goal to get back into the education system, and teach the school administrations how to better handle the geeks." I had a great teacher like that in highschool. Miss Johnson. She was wonderfully encouraging, she taught us C, Pascal, bits of Assembler, let us install Linux on school computers, helped me run my BBS, in general, encouraged us. But she never let us have any warez at school, and got very upset if we did anything rude. She was a great influence, and is probably the reason I'm here, reading/.:) -Joshua
This is only the begining of media attention to this, but it is the end of something else. It is the end of copywright law in the sense we know it today, next will be movies, then tv shows and books, until data will all be free. I think this is wonderful, and a blow to capitalism. --Joshua
Slashdot Mirror
Muahaha! My OpenDVD shirt arrived this weekend! It kicks ass, and even fits (why have most shirt manufacturers stopped making medium?).
Joshua
Across the Internet, new sites and business models are proliferating that make music accessible online while respecting the copyright protection at the heart of the creative process.
What is ownership? Where did this idea come from that someone has all these "rights" to something they create? When I work, and create things, I get paid, but I don't get paid over and over again for the bit of work forever. I have to keep working to keep the money rolling in. Why do people seem to think that musicians and other artists have some special right that the rest of us don't have to make money from their art for signifigant periods of time?
The fact is, if Mr. Somerson had his way, artists would never again own their own music, and there wouldn't be any further incentive to make it.
Mankind has been making music, as well as other forms of art since long before there was any concept of "copyright."
Copyright is dead. New business models will emerge.
Joshua
Unfortunately, I won't be able to be there tonight, as I have yet to aquite a computer at my apartment. I'm confined to reading /. at work at the moment.
/. for some months now, and I have yet to moderate. I have been waiting (patiently, IMHO) for such a time to come, but so far it hasn't. I've tried to meta moderate, but it tells me I haven't been here long enough (and yes, I have "willing to moderate" set to the correct setting).
However... I've been reading
Here is an issue I have with the system. I don't have a terrible amount to say. I read here every day, and most articles, but I post only when I find something I'm knowledgable on, or have strong opinions about, and even then, I won't post if someone has already said what I'm going to say. Those are times when what I would like to do is mod that person up, to show my agreement. I think my karma is like two, simply because I don't post that often.
Anyway, I just wanted to throw my two cents into the pool. Have fun tonight, wish I could be there.
Joshua
I, like many people here, I think, began their computer life on local BBSes.
/. has come closer than anything else since BBSes to give me a sense of a "virtual community."
These BBSes had a very strong feeling of community, and many of the people I know from a BBS, I am still in close contact with today. When I was a kid, they were almost my only social life.
When BBSes began to die, that saddened me a lot, and I missed the sense of community. The point of this whole post is that
Joshua
You know, when I see things like this, I realize that we've taken this concept of IP simply too far...
Copyright is dead, and I think it's time we started to accept that and move on to new models, instead of trying to do rediculous things with the old one. Cut our losses and get out and find a better way of doing things.
Joshua
I have indeed noticed that there are some common trends that thread they're way through certain types of people. For instance, people who are into computers are more often than not into role playing, anime and certain other non-computer-related activities. Hell, you can see it in the kind of posts we get here on slashdot.
I don't, however, know if these traits are developed independently, for instance whether it's just the same kind of people who are interested in computers are the same kinds of people who are interested in d&d, or whether it's the influence of the geek community that introduces us to these things.
[shrug] I don't know really, but I think these are fairly common trends, do tell me if I'm wrong.
Joshua
Okay, I have a lot to say about this, actually, so here comes a rant.
I am actually quite a good example of this. When I was 12 I started playing around with an old 286 and by 13 I put an ad in the paper to teach computers. I did that for something like six years, and along the way, dropped out of highschool at 15. Socially, this didn't affect me much because all of my social life was through a local BBS anyway (Ah, the days of local BBSs... [sigh]).
I eventually got very bored with compters and went travelling for a while, but recently, I've decided that I missed the geek world. I missed forums like this, I missed hacking into my code, hell, I just missed the whole part of my life. So with a little help from a good friend, I returned to the fold of geekdom, and here I am.
But anyway, I was going to talk about college... I once worked for a guy who, when I told him I wasn't going to college, said "You gotta go to college! If nothing else it's a place to go and get laid for four years!" And I think this sums up what is most important about college today. It's not the classes you take (although granted, they are very important), but it is the social aspects. I've seen quite a few dorks (here in Boston, recently), for whom college is doing them much good. They're not learning much from their classes, but living here, semi-on-their-own, drinking, smoking, meeting girls (or boys, but I've seen far fewer female or homosexual male geeks than the plain ol' male variety, but that's a completely different discussion)!
However, I do think the academic subjects we study at college are important. Right now, I am working in computers (network admin), and I find I have a great desire to go to classes, so I am. Unofficially, of course, but that doesn't matter. I don't value a degree very highly. I think the computer industry is different from almost all others that have come before it in that employers don't value a degree very highly. I'm sure many people will disagree with this, but in general, here in the tech world, if you've got the skills, that's what counts, IMHO.
Just my two cents...
Joshua
This is probably a stupid question, but what business really does the FCC have in making this decision? They are (am I wrong?) not an elected body, so their decision doesn't reflect what the public wants. Democracy anyone?
I'm not making any moral judgements on this, I'm simply stating observed fact. Certainly, many companies purchase licenses, but there are LOTS of indivisuals who DON'T. I just thought I would point this out.
Okay, this is too funny. The link doesn't seem to work though, must have been /. 'ed. Does anyone have another link, or possibly can e-mail me a copy? Napster doesn't work here cause of our shitty proxy server!
Joshua
I don't mean to sound silly here, but who out there actually pays for Microsoft software? I know that most people get the Windows license when they buy machines, so of course those are payed for and often machines come with Office lincenses as well, but as far as anything beyond that, I know few people who pay for upgrades, or anything else from Microsoft. Office must be more often bootlegged than any other piece of software. I mean, be honest, dear slashdotters. I know this is a moot point in the legal cases, but something to remember, eh?
Joshua
Admitedly, this may be slightly off-topic, but the very root of all our problems is captialism, and it's downsides, is it not? In a world without it, do we not eliminate most of these problems? Certainly other social systems have their problems as well, but has anyone given any thought to this as the foundation of all these problems?
I'm personally a big fan of some of the works of B.F. Skinner, and I think that many of the ideas he proposed could be an interesting alternative to capitalism, not to mention a perfect social model for implenting global computer networking.
Anyway, just a thought, to stimulate the conversation in new directions.
Joshua
Okay, I really want to know. Who was it that actually got this? This person must have been massively in demand. I bet he's out there reading /. right now! Who are you, we want to know! Someone else must know as well, the HR department, someone at the compnay, someone must be able to leak the information! I'm looking forward to finding out. ;)
Joshua
Here's a small example. Remember how the industry was back in the mid 70's and early 80's? It was pretty much the same deal -- People shared software openly, without much of a regard for where it came from.
;)
I'd just like to make one point. There are some things that are fundamentally different today in the computer world than the 70's and 80's. Back in those days, the majority of computer users were geeks. They were people who were into the technology. These are the people who used and contributed to open source, and they still are today. And while I'm not suggesting there are less of these people (including myself), I am suggesting there are a shit load more people who couldn't give a shit! Do you have any idea how many 13 year old girls there are on the net who don't care whether the software they're using is open source or not, and if it was, they could't modify it? How many businesspeople are on the net who are in a business totally unrelated to computers but now requiring technology? These people don't have a problem with closed source. They just want standards.
Anyway, not entirely sure where I was going with that, but I hope I made some point. Perhaps just that this ain't the eighties anymore, pal.
--Joshua
Thank you very much for pointing out a very important point. However, the idea of powering vehicles with electricity is not a bad one, the problem is that we simply need a new method of power generation.
There have been many people to work on this and a lot of that work has been surpressed over the years. I don't claim to be an expert in anything but I've read a few books about a guy named Viktor Schauberger (don't know any links off the top of my head, but do a search on altavista and amazon, I know there's lots about him), who was a very interesting austrian scientist something like a hundred years ago, who propsed many interesting alternatives and ideas. Also, we can't forget Nicola Tesla (same things, do a search), who a lot of people think was on the verge of solving a lot of these issues but again, whos would could have been surpressed.
I don't mean to be spouting conspiracy theories, but I think it's important that we look at every problem fresh and not dismiss any ideas just because they don't jibe with what we already know. Someday I hope to study these scientists and people like them in detail and perhaps follow up on some of their work, who knows?
--Joshua
I can see great postential for this when it gets much smaller. Imagine when this could be built into my hat, to provide me with my own personal sound system surrounding my head. Combine this with a system to display to my eyes (check out Microvision) and you've got a personal computer output device. Now all we need are sensors to detect where my hands are and a "virtual keyboard" and a microphone with voice recognition, and now we've got a personal input/output device built into my hat. Add a wireless connection to any computer that happens to be around or even a connection to the net via sattelite, and now we've got something with REAL potential!
;)
Okay, bit of a rant, sorry.
--Joshua
I think a better solution would be simply to elimiate most of these devices in favor of a better device.
Some of what you said I can agree with. The lights, heat, A/C, and doorbell. That's all great, becuase those are stationary things.
As for your TV, why does that need to be a separate device? Can't that just be a big output device from your central computer (or secondary computer for data storage of all your movies/tv/etc.)? I mean, why does that need to be a device with it's own electronics, it's just a screen? Store all your movies and shit on your computer (in your office, basement, wherever), and just have input/output devices wherever you like them. As for an alarm clock, I think that's something that the PDA can take over for. Just have a cradle for it by your bed. As for stereo, why do you need one? Store mp3's (or whatever format) on your computer and wire your house with a speaker system (output device). Now you can control any of these devices from any convienient input/output device (PDA, workstation on your desk, tv, workstation in another room, whatever). You see, this idea of having all these dedicated devices strikes me as a bit silly with all this beautiful digital convergence.
Just my two cents.
--Joshua
One point...
;-)
Morality is totally relative. I am not at the moment a parent, but in a few years (5? 10?) I very well could be, and I'm sure I have very different ideas about what is "appropriate" and "moral" than you do. I happen to think that there is not nearly as much bad about pornography as most people think, and that sex is not something that should be hidden from children. I plan to show my kids the internet, to show them where the porn is and say "If you want it, it's here. There's nothing wrong with it and nothing to be ashamed of." I suspect that this will have a much more positive effect than saying "No porn for you."
I remember when I was growing up, I was always trying to get my hands on porn, hell at 12 I got on the internet for that very purpose! I remember the fear and worry I felt that my parents would find out, and I ask myself now "Is that fear of any use whatsoever? Does it acomplish anything except add more anxiety to an already overly stressed world?" I suspect it doesn't, so I want to save my kids that anxiety.
Sorry, a bit off-topic, I know, but I think that the key issue in whether or not to censor is to ask ourselves WHY we are censoring... What is it we're afraid of? Is it sex? Sex isn't something to be afraid of, is it?
Anyway, just my two cents on this issue, albeit a bit off topic.
--Joshua
I had a very good friend, who, a genius programmer, once wrote pong in DOS Batch. This was far far far more useless than porting DOOM to a digital camera. ;)
Granted, this idea does have it's fair share of dangers, but there is one advantage I see. I've changed my e-mail address quite a bit, and it's always a hassle because it's usually associated with the place I am, or the company I work at, or the provider I use. I currently have a hotmail address, which is also annoying because it's so web based. I'm not sure how they're planning to arrange this, but if I could have an e-mail address I like, then have that forward to wherever I am, I would like that. As long as it doesn't change when I physically move. But that depends on how they handle it, of course.
Joshua
I think we need to consider the notion that regular users will NEVER go to *NIX as it is now, they are not coders, and they don't want to be. They want something that is easy to use and works... I do suspect we'll end up with an OS that has some of the ideas of *NIX, but the usablity of Windows. Perhaps this project is it. Perhaps they will keep some *NIX concepts, like multi-user, and security, etc, and use an interface that boots and is easy to use, hopefully a lot more stable than MS's version. I hope they succeed.
--Joshua
"Does ANYONE honestly believe that a pharmaceutical company, which spends millions or billions of dollars in research and development to produce drugs that YOU ALL USE AND NEED would continue to do this if they were not allowed to make a return on their investment, time, and effort? NOT! Those anti-cancer drugs do not produce themselves. There is a tremendous amount of time, effort, and money involved in saving your lives or keeping you living and healthy. If you want drugs to treat your INEVITABLE diseases, then intellectual property protection and patents are absolutely necessary. No protection, no drugs." We don't all NEED drugs. I almost NEVER use any product of the pharmaceutical industry becuase I don't trust it, and don't like it's methods. Health is something I create for myself, not something bought with money. Anyway, there's one thing that's for sure. The internet is too good a media not to destroy most aspects of the publishing industry. Consider what it costs to print books (both in money and in environmental resources), then consider what it takes to copy that book from my machine to yours. We're seeing the distribution of music change. Next will be TV and movies, books, magazines and newspapers (which we're already seeing, I read my news online). Computers will become more common to the point where this change is even more marked. This is inevitable, and I wonder what will go next. -Joshua
"I have a goal to get back into the education system, and teach the school administrations how to better handle the geeks." I had a great teacher like that in highschool. Miss Johnson. She was wonderfully encouraging, she taught us C, Pascal, bits of Assembler, let us install Linux on school computers, helped me run my BBS, in general, encouraged us. But she never let us have any warez at school, and got very upset if we did anything rude. She was a great influence, and is probably the reason I'm here, reading /. :) -Joshua
This is only the begining of media attention to this, but it is the end of something else. It is the end of copywright law in the sense we know it today, next will be movies, then tv shows and books, until data will all be free. I think this is wonderful, and a blow to capitalism. --Joshua
Is it just me, or does this sound like the first step to light sabers and blasters or what? I'm very excited! :) --Joshua Chambers