I wonder how much that court case cost to take on a huge corporation like Citibank because they blatantly charged you $1 per transaction for a dozen transactions that never happened last month. Hardly seems worth the effort to save $12, but I'm glad someone is fighting for the little guys...
Why is it the primary goal of anyone asking slashdot anything is to never ever pay for software (or to install linux on something that has no reason to ever run linux)? Just buy Acrobat, it's really not that expensive...
I hope this will work for cellphones too... My wireless number isn't listed anywhere and I don't often give it out, but about 50% of my cellphone calls that I pay per-minute rates on are telemarketers too. Sure, explain to me how to use MCI long distance on my AT&T wireless service. And with no long distance charges on my wireless calls, how exactly is 5 cents per minute going to save me money? Yeah that's what I thought.
When the first step is to gut the existing components and install a motherboard and CPU, is that really considered making a PC out of your Nintendo? Sounds more like just a project to make a PC fit into the old Nintendo case...
What doesn't really make sense to me is that the.NET framework is unlike any other I've worked with... When you write code in Perl, youuse Perl. When you write code in PHP or Java, you use PHP or Java. But with.NET, it seems you need to know VB and ASP and C# and... Am I off the mark here?
According to the web logs on the various sites I host, Mozilla and other Gecko-based browsers make up almost 15% of web traffic now, and Opera has a signficant enough user-base that it also makes it into the top 10 user-agents on web sites that get 1M+ hits per month from 100+ countries. I think the problem is that people need to move away from Microsoft web deveopment tools until they can learn to play nice and output standards-compliant HTML code. Ever try using the "save as HTML" feature in a Microsoft product? A 100-row table becomes a 2MB plaintext file by the time it makes it to the web...
Imagine that, programmers having to write efficient code for a change. These days, a "hello world" program won't even fit on a floppy after the required libraries have been compiled in...
Why is it that US lawmakers always feel the need to create new laws that overlap issues already covered by existing laws? Buying something online is no different from buying that same item from a mail order catalog. If you live in the same state as the store that sold you the item you pay sales tax, otherwise it's not an issue. The same thing happened recently with internet radio, when the definitions of distribution vs. public performance and what royalties were owed to who were already clearly defined in the 1976 copyright laws. If this is about taxation of interstate commerce, then call it just that - don't target e-commerce like it's something special simply because the advertising medium is different.
The biggest problem I come across these days is web sites that were "developed for MSIE" and not for Netscape. The big difference is that if your HTML code is written incorrectly, Netscape will not render it and will force you to correct it, while MSIE will simply do its best to fix it for you and will still display it. The most common cause is failure to close TABLE-related html tags. Fancy JavaScript/dhtml and stylesheets tend to break non-MSIE browsers pretty easily too. I hate to sound conspiracy-minded, but it almost seems as if the creators of Microsoft web development tools went out of their way to find every way to break other browsers, and created their software to putput code that does just this. So when you tell me that Hotmail only works correctly with MSIE, I'm really not surprised.
I work for an ISP that uses 1u servers for manay applications, however you need to keep in mind that something that fits in a 1u case generally isn't an upgradable customizable server, it is a network appliance. You can get riser cards that will allow you to plug in PCI cards horizontally, but in a 1u case, you're pretty much limited to 1 PCI slot. A 2u case will allow for more drives and a 2nd PCI slot. In a 1u case, you're pretty much limited to a maximum of 1 PCI slot, 2 hard drives, and a floppy/cdrom. In order to fit more in such a small space, you need to look into motherboards with integrated features, such as video, sound, eide/scsi, network support, even dual redundant NICs on higher-end products. Just don't plan on upgrading much in such a small case; that's the price you have to pay for compact size.
If you are just creating an encrypted tunnel between 2 locations on T1 links, a software-based solution on a fast processor is more than sufficient. But what happens when you need to connect 50 offices on T3 or faster links with 3DES IPSEC tunnels and 2000 satellite locations? That's way too much processing to do through software, even on multiple WAN access devices. Hardware encryption is certainly overkill for SOHO applications, but for larger faster networks, it is really the only option.
I've had more trouble in the past with banner ad programs than I care to discuss here, but through all of them, I've learned 1 thing: they all reserve the right to bail on you for no reason. Even the biggest and most reputable companies have a clause in their contracts that allow them to terminate your agreement without payment for any reason at any time at their sole discretion. Law suits cost money, and class action suits never seem to give you what you deserve even when you win. I know it sucks, but I would really recommend just cutting your losses and taking the checks before they declare bankruptcy and you get nothing. The only way to make any real money with advertising is to solicit the advertisements yourself and get the money up front. Unfortunately, this means you now need a marketing department...
Unfortunately, rack-mountable equipment is always more expensive than the alternative. Rather than hacking together your own monstrosity in a file cabinet, you'd be much better off getting a short rack and installing rack-mounted servers on sliding rails. The cost is a little bit more, but the savings in space in your home office is often worth it. Individually, 3-4 servers might take up your entire desk top, some space on the floor, and even some shelves. Instead for around $1200-1700 a piece, you can buy some 1u (2" tall) servers and fit 10 of them in a 19" wide rack next to or even under your desk. 2u servers give you a little bit more expandability, and 4u gives you all the freedom of a full-sized case. Because they are rack-mounted, they basically stack one on top of another vertically so you don't have to take up half of your office with computers. Most rack-mount cases are tool-less, and by mounting them on sliding rails, you can get at each system as easily as opening a file cabinet drawer. I've purchased several servers from rackmount.com and have had very good luck with them. Hopefully I've been of some help - I answered your question, but I certainly didn't save you any money...:)
I have 2 large battery backups in my home office, and I backup everything. 4 PCs, 3 monitors, TV, stereo, etc. Important or not, still like the option of being able to shut everything down properly if the power goes out, not just my primary workstation. Most power outages only last a few minuets around here anyway, so as long as I can get 10 minutes out of the battery backup, I'm fine.
Try using a UPS from BestPower - their products are just as good as APC, but less expensive and easier integration with linux.
I hate having to quote my own previous posts in a reply...
2. If you want to use the cert on multiple servers, that's the same as a company buying a single Microsoft Office CD to install on 100 workstations. SSL CA's are businesses too, and greedy or not, they exist for the sole purpose of making money just like your business.
If you want to secure multiple servers, Thawte has a special package that allows you to manage your own certs for $500 (http://www.thawte.com/enterprise/managed.html). If you can afford to colocate 4 or more servers, you can certainly afford $500 to secure them.
Renewing your cert obviously requires less work on the CA's part, and therefor they charge a little less (http://www.thawte.com/certs/server/renew.html).
Companies don't make money by giving their services away. Not many companies sell you a product with free support for life, it's just not a profitable business model. I realize that most slashdot readers, myself included, enjoy working cooperatively to share information and help each other out of the goodness of their hearts, but when a question is asked about why a business doesn't give away their products or services for free, the answer will always be the same, monopoly or not.
If you don't like that, then generate your own SSL cert, and post a paragraph on your site explaining why your customers will get a browser warning about an unsigned cert so they don't get scared off. I don't host any large e-commerce sites, but my customers still want to do business. Using a signed SSL cert is really the only option they have to convince their new customers they are trustworthy.
I wish I could figure out why slashdot readers always think this way... I agree that information should be free and companies should charge less for their services, but that doesn't always fit into a successful business model. Think about these key issues:
1. If the SSL cert is for an intranet, you don't need to pay for it - you can generate it yourself and still be assured that it came from a trustworthy source since it is for internal use.
2. If you want to use the cert on multiple servers, that's the same as a company buying a single Microsoft Office CD to install on 100 workstations. SSL CA's are businesses too, and greedy or not, they exist for the sole purpose of making money just like your business.
3. An SSL cert from a trusted CA is also linked to your domain name and IP address. Your contact and billing information need to be associated with a domain name, and your IP address is part of somebody's IP space and they can identify you too. In moving the SSL cert to a new server with a different domain name or IP address, this information actually does need to be changed in the cert itself and in the CA's records.
Information wants to be free, but don't forget that businesses need to make money to succeed.
No, I've never tried to verify the integrity of a company based on the information provided in their SSL certificate. Verisign already did that for me, and most likely did a more thorough job than I ever could. I work for an ISP and if we can't get ahold of our customers, we can't bill them, so in that capacity, the trust granted in our SSL cert is extended to the customers. 100% of our customers that use our secure server also do realtime credit card transactions through AuthorizeNet, which is an interactive process to sign up for which requires endless paperwork, bank account information, tax IDs, social security numbers, etc.
The possibility for fraud will always be present, but having your SSL cert come from a known CA means not having to perform credit checks and research the background on a company. My time is too valuable to spend 4 hours doing a background check before buying a $20 t-shirt, or spending $25 to do a credit check before buying a $12 CD.
If you can't afford $125/year for the cert, surely yuo won't have $300 to get setup to do online transactions, or $30-50/month to continue doing them. You only need your own SSL cert if you run your own server, which means you'll need to colocate equipment for around $300-500/month minimum, and that doesn't include the cost of the server itself. Once you're looking at a pricetag of $6-10k/year minimum, does $125 realy make a difference?
Many of you are missing the point - it is a substantial hassle to get an SSL certificate from a reputable source because they take the time to verify that you are who you say you are. Even if you falsify documentation and have corrupt business practices, obtaining a certificate is an interactive process that links your secure server to an individual's or a company's real contact information. When an ISP provides a secure server for its customers, they most likely know the identification of their customers and how to get in touch with them. This is the trust you are paying for. Fraud will always happen, but when it is a lot less likely when so much is involved to obtain the certificate and verify the legitimate existance of the company that purchases it.
Anyone can generate their own SSL certificate, but what assurance does the customer have that you are who you say you are. It doesn't much matter if your transactions are done securely if they aren't go to a legitimate company. As anyone who has applied for an SSL certificate knows, it's not a 5-minute process. You have lots of online forms and paperwork to fill out, credit checks are done, and you need to provide documentation that your business is legitimate before companies like Verisign or Thawte (now owned by Verisign) will issue you a certificate. The have already done the footwork to ensure that the company you are dealing with is legitimate and not just some scam artist looking to collect credit card numbers. While the pricetag might not be cheap, $125/year is a relatively small expense for a business. Most commercial ISPs provide a secure server for their customers for little or no charge on top of their regular hosting fees anyway. It is money I'm willing to spend to gain my customers' trust. If your company can't afford $125 to gain my trust, I don't think I would be comfortable doing business with them in the first place.
I actually had to make the same decision myself when I went off to college. The major difference is that computer science is strictly programming, usually in higher-level languages like Java, C, and C++. Computer engineering is a combination of computer science with electrical engineering, so you deal with the hardware as well. If knowing this isn't enough to make up your mind, then consider they type of work you would like to be doing when you graduate. With a degree in computer science, you will most likely end up programming applications, administering databases, or other similar jobs. With a computer engineering degree, the focus is more on the integration of lower-level software and the hardware it runs on. This includes anything from designing circuits, VLSI design (designing chips), microcode for firmware, and device drivers.
Personally, I couldn't decide between hardware and software so I chose computer engineering - it really leaves your options open if you decide to pick one or the other later on. Now I manage servers and networks and develop web and database applications, so you can see I still haven't made up my mind! Good luck to you...
Just wait for someone to have the item on sale without the need for rebates. If the company could afford to sell you the product for the reduced rate and intended on making good on the offer with no hassles, they would have simply lowered the price. Rebates are a way to draw people to the store to buy other merchandise while they are there. The money lose in awarding rebates is recovered by making it as difficult as possible to get the actual rebate check for those people that actually remember to send in the proper paperwork. Companies haev no real motivation to ever mail out rebate checks, which accounts for why half the time you send them out, you don't recieve them. By the time the check is supposed to arrive 12 weeks later, most people haev forgotten about it. If someone should remember and is willing to take the time to make the phone calls or write letters to the company about it, they will surely honor your request to avoid bad press, but now you've devoted more time than you ever wanted to just to save a few dollars. My advice is to stay away from rebates altogether. They all have a catch, and it's not worth the aggrevation.
The bottom line is that consumers will not adopt a new technology that costs more and offers significantly less value. This is the main reason why pay-to-play downloadable music with copyright protection never took off. If you buy a CD, you have a digital copy of your music in a format that is easily converted to just about any other form of media. But with SDMI-compliant digital music, you can only play it on one computer, you cannot convert that file to an unprotected mp3 or record it to CD, and if you have a portable digital music player such as those produced by Sony, you can't download it to the player and then copy it elsewhere.
This same theory applies to other markets as well. People won't rush out to buy DVD recorders for their home that won't let them record their favorite soaps during the day so they can watch them after work, or copy home movies to share with friends and family.
Slashdot Mirror
Looks like anyone that has setup a blog, guestbook, or messageboard on their web site better run for cover.
I wonder how much that court case cost to take on a huge corporation like Citibank because they blatantly charged you $1 per transaction for a dozen transactions that never happened last month. Hardly seems worth the effort to save $12, but I'm glad someone is fighting for the little guys...
Why is it the primary goal of anyone asking slashdot anything is to never ever pay for software (or to install linux on something that has no reason to ever run linux)? Just buy Acrobat, it's really not that expensive...
I hope this will work for cellphones too... My wireless number isn't listed anywhere and I don't often give it out, but about 50% of my cellphone calls that I pay per-minute rates on are telemarketers too. Sure, explain to me how to use MCI long distance on my AT&T wireless service. And with no long distance charges on my wireless calls, how exactly is 5 cents per minute going to save me money? Yeah that's what I thought.
When the first step is to gut the existing components and install a motherboard and CPU, is that really considered making a PC out of your Nintendo? Sounds more like just a project to make a PC fit into the old Nintendo case...
What doesn't really make sense to me is that the .NET framework is unlike any other I've worked with... When you write code in Perl, youuse Perl. When you write code in PHP or Java, you use PHP or Java. But with .NET, it seems you need to know VB and ASP and C# and... Am I off the mark here?
According to the web logs on the various sites I host, Mozilla and other Gecko-based browsers make up almost 15% of web traffic now, and Opera has a signficant enough user-base that it also makes it into the top 10 user-agents on web sites that get 1M+ hits per month from 100+ countries. I think the problem is that people need to move away from Microsoft web deveopment tools until they can learn to play nice and output standards-compliant HTML code. Ever try using the "save as HTML" feature in a Microsoft product? A 100-row table becomes a 2MB plaintext file by the time it makes it to the web...
Imagine that, programmers having to write efficient code for a change. These days, a "hello world" program won't even fit on a floppy after the required libraries have been compiled in...
Pretty cool... First person to get a .va (Vatican City State) domain gets my vote though.
Why is it that US lawmakers always feel the need to create new laws that overlap issues already covered by existing laws? Buying something online is no different from buying that same item from a mail order catalog. If you live in the same state as the store that sold you the item you pay sales tax, otherwise it's not an issue. The same thing happened recently with internet radio, when the definitions of distribution vs. public performance and what royalties were owed to who were already clearly defined in the 1976 copyright laws. If this is about taxation of interstate commerce, then call it just that - don't target e-commerce like it's something special simply because the advertising medium is different.
The biggest problem I come across these days is web sites that were "developed for MSIE" and not for Netscape. The big difference is that if your HTML code is written incorrectly, Netscape will not render it and will force you to correct it, while MSIE will simply do its best to fix it for you and will still display it. The most common cause is failure to close TABLE-related html tags. Fancy JavaScript/dhtml and stylesheets tend to break non-MSIE browsers pretty easily too. I hate to sound conspiracy-minded, but it almost seems as if the creators of Microsoft web development tools went out of their way to find every way to break other browsers, and created their software to putput code that does just this. So when you tell me that Hotmail only works correctly with MSIE, I'm really not surprised.
I work for an ISP that uses 1u servers for manay applications, however you need to keep in mind that something that fits in a 1u case generally isn't an upgradable customizable server, it is a network appliance. You can get riser cards that will allow you to plug in PCI cards horizontally, but in a 1u case, you're pretty much limited to 1 PCI slot. A 2u case will allow for more drives and a 2nd PCI slot. In a 1u case, you're pretty much limited to a maximum of 1 PCI slot, 2 hard drives, and a floppy/cdrom. In order to fit more in such a small space, you need to look into motherboards with integrated features, such as video, sound, eide/scsi, network support, even dual redundant NICs on higher-end products. Just don't plan on upgrading much in such a small case; that's the price you have to pay for compact size.
If you are just creating an encrypted tunnel between 2 locations on T1 links, a software-based solution on a fast processor is more than sufficient. But what happens when you need to connect 50 offices on T3 or faster links with 3DES IPSEC tunnels and 2000 satellite locations? That's way too much processing to do through software, even on multiple WAN access devices. Hardware encryption is certainly overkill for SOHO applications, but for larger faster networks, it is really the only option.
I've had more trouble in the past with banner ad programs than I care to discuss here, but through all of them, I've learned 1 thing: they all reserve the right to bail on you for no reason. Even the biggest and most reputable companies have a clause in their contracts that allow them to terminate your agreement without payment for any reason at any time at their sole discretion. Law suits cost money, and class action suits never seem to give you what you deserve even when you win. I know it sucks, but I would really recommend just cutting your losses and taking the checks before they declare bankruptcy and you get nothing. The only way to make any real money with advertising is to solicit the advertisements yourself and get the money up front. Unfortunately, this means you now need a marketing department...
Unfortunately, rack-mountable equipment is always more expensive than the alternative. Rather than hacking together your own monstrosity in a file cabinet, you'd be much better off getting a short rack and installing rack-mounted servers on sliding rails. The cost is a little bit more, but the savings in space in your home office is often worth it. Individually, 3-4 servers might take up your entire desk top, some space on the floor, and even some shelves. Instead for around $1200-1700 a piece, you can buy some 1u (2" tall) servers and fit 10 of them in a 19" wide rack next to or even under your desk. 2u servers give you a little bit more expandability, and 4u gives you all the freedom of a full-sized case. Because they are rack-mounted, they basically stack one on top of another vertically so you don't have to take up half of your office with computers. Most rack-mount cases are tool-less, and by mounting them on sliding rails, you can get at each system as easily as opening a file cabinet drawer. I've purchased several servers from rackmount.com and have had very good luck with them. Hopefully I've been of some help - I answered your question, but I certainly didn't save you any money... :)
I have 2 large battery backups in my home office, and I backup everything. 4 PCs, 3 monitors, TV, stereo, etc. Important or not, still like the option of being able to shut everything down properly if the power goes out, not just my primary workstation. Most power outages only last a few minuets around here anyway, so as long as I can get 10 minutes out of the battery backup, I'm fine.
Try using a UPS from BestPower - their products are just as good as APC, but less expensive and easier integration with linux.
I hate having to quote my own previous posts in a reply...
2. If you want to use the cert on multiple servers, that's the same as a company buying a single Microsoft Office CD to install on 100 workstations. SSL CA's are businesses too, and greedy or not, they exist for the sole purpose of making money just like your business.
If you want to secure multiple servers, Thawte has a special package that allows you to manage your own certs for $500 (http://www.thawte.com/enterprise/managed.html). If you can afford to colocate 4 or more servers, you can certainly afford $500 to secure them.
Renewing your cert obviously requires less work on the CA's part, and therefor they charge a little less (http://www.thawte.com/certs/server/renew.html).
Companies don't make money by giving their services away. Not many companies sell you a product with free support for life, it's just not a profitable business model. I realize that most slashdot readers, myself included, enjoy working cooperatively to share information and help each other out of the goodness of their hearts, but when a question is asked about why a business doesn't give away their products or services for free, the answer will always be the same, monopoly or not.
If you don't like that, then generate your own SSL cert, and post a paragraph on your site explaining why your customers will get a browser warning about an unsigned cert so they don't get scared off. I don't host any large e-commerce sites, but my customers still want to do business. Using a signed SSL cert is really the only option they have to convince their new customers they are trustworthy.
I wish I could figure out why slashdot readers always think this way... I agree that information should be free and companies should charge less for their services, but that doesn't always fit into a successful business model. Think about these key issues:
1. If the SSL cert is for an intranet, you don't need to pay for it - you can generate it yourself and still be assured that it came from a trustworthy source since it is for internal use.
2. If you want to use the cert on multiple servers, that's the same as a company buying a single Microsoft Office CD to install on 100 workstations. SSL CA's are businesses too, and greedy or not, they exist for the sole purpose of making money just like your business.
3. An SSL cert from a trusted CA is also linked to your domain name and IP address. Your contact and billing information need to be associated with a domain name, and your IP address is part of somebody's IP space and they can identify you too. In moving the SSL cert to a new server with a different domain name or IP address, this information actually does need to be changed in the cert itself and in the CA's records.
Information wants to be free, but don't forget that businesses need to make money to succeed.
No, I've never tried to verify the integrity of a company based on the information provided in their SSL certificate. Verisign already did that for me, and most likely did a more thorough job than I ever could. I work for an ISP and if we can't get ahold of our customers, we can't bill them, so in that capacity, the trust granted in our SSL cert is extended to the customers. 100% of our customers that use our secure server also do realtime credit card transactions through AuthorizeNet, which is an interactive process to sign up for which requires endless paperwork, bank account information, tax IDs, social security numbers, etc.
The possibility for fraud will always be present, but having your SSL cert come from a known CA means not having to perform credit checks and research the background on a company. My time is too valuable to spend 4 hours doing a background check before buying a $20 t-shirt, or spending $25 to do a credit check before buying a $12 CD.
If you can't afford $125/year for the cert, surely yuo won't have $300 to get setup to do online transactions, or $30-50/month to continue doing them. You only need your own SSL cert if you run your own server, which means you'll need to colocate equipment for around $300-500/month minimum, and that doesn't include the cost of the server itself. Once you're looking at a pricetag of $6-10k/year minimum, does $125 realy make a difference?
Many of you are missing the point - it is a substantial hassle to get an SSL certificate from a reputable source because they take the time to verify that you are who you say you are. Even if you falsify documentation and have corrupt business practices, obtaining a certificate is an interactive process that links your secure server to an individual's or a company's real contact information. When an ISP provides a secure server for its customers, they most likely know the identification of their customers and how to get in touch with them. This is the trust you are paying for. Fraud will always happen, but when it is a lot less likely when so much is involved to obtain the certificate and verify the legitimate existance of the company that purchases it.
Anyone can generate their own SSL certificate, but what assurance does the customer have that you are who you say you are. It doesn't much matter if your transactions are done securely if they aren't go to a legitimate company. As anyone who has applied for an SSL certificate knows, it's not a 5-minute process. You have lots of online forms and paperwork to fill out, credit checks are done, and you need to provide documentation that your business is legitimate before companies like Verisign or Thawte (now owned by Verisign) will issue you a certificate. The have already done the footwork to ensure that the company you are dealing with is legitimate and not just some scam artist looking to collect credit card numbers. While the pricetag might not be cheap, $125/year is a relatively small expense for a business. Most commercial ISPs provide a secure server for their customers for little or no charge on top of their regular hosting fees anyway. It is money I'm willing to spend to gain my customers' trust. If your company can't afford $125 to gain my trust, I don't think I would be comfortable doing business with them in the first place.
I actually had to make the same decision myself when I went off to college. The major difference is that computer science is strictly programming, usually in higher-level languages like Java, C, and C++. Computer engineering is a combination of computer science with electrical engineering, so you deal with the hardware as well. If knowing this isn't enough to make up your mind, then consider they type of work you would like to be doing when you graduate. With a degree in computer science, you will most likely end up programming applications, administering databases, or other similar jobs. With a computer engineering degree, the focus is more on the integration of lower-level software and the hardware it runs on. This includes anything from designing circuits, VLSI design (designing chips), microcode for firmware, and device drivers. Personally, I couldn't decide between hardware and software so I chose computer engineering - it really leaves your options open if you decide to pick one or the other later on. Now I manage servers and networks and develop web and database applications, so you can see I still haven't made up my mind! Good luck to you...
Just wait for someone to have the item on sale without the need for rebates. If the company could afford to sell you the product for the reduced rate and intended on making good on the offer with no hassles, they would have simply lowered the price. Rebates are a way to draw people to the store to buy other merchandise while they are there. The money lose in awarding rebates is recovered by making it as difficult as possible to get the actual rebate check for those people that actually remember to send in the proper paperwork. Companies haev no real motivation to ever mail out rebate checks, which accounts for why half the time you send them out, you don't recieve them. By the time the check is supposed to arrive 12 weeks later, most people haev forgotten about it. If someone should remember and is willing to take the time to make the phone calls or write letters to the company about it, they will surely honor your request to avoid bad press, but now you've devoted more time than you ever wanted to just to save a few dollars. My advice is to stay away from rebates altogether. They all have a catch, and it's not worth the aggrevation.
The bottom line is that consumers will not adopt a new technology that costs more and offers significantly less value. This is the main reason why pay-to-play downloadable music with copyright protection never took off. If you buy a CD, you have a digital copy of your music in a format that is easily converted to just about any other form of media. But with SDMI-compliant digital music, you can only play it on one computer, you cannot convert that file to an unprotected mp3 or record it to CD, and if you have a portable digital music player such as those produced by Sony, you can't download it to the player and then copy it elsewhere. This same theory applies to other markets as well. People won't rush out to buy DVD recorders for their home that won't let them record their favorite soaps during the day so they can watch them after work, or copy home movies to share with friends and family.