This might fool the media, but it can't fool us. Nobody is going to adopt any technology that requires you to buy a special DVD burner and discs. It's crazy. We live in a more or less free economy where the consumer has so many different choices. They are NOT going to pick something restricts their choice, particularly something as stupid as this.
I want downloadable movies, but not like this. It's still not an excuse for piracy (in case anyone gets funny ideas) but there are so many better solutions to this.
It's not Starbucks I worry about - I've researched this before and to my satisfaction they seem to be doing as good a job as they can with ensuring fairtrade in the coffee industry. It's not just a moral issue, it actually makes good business sense in the modern Western world to be concerned for the welfare of 3rd world countries. Starbucks is one of the top targets for the anti-capitalist movement, simply because they are a huge corporation, which to some anti-capitalists is a crime in itself. I think, for the most part most sensible people ignore the anti-capitalist movement simply because they are wrong or narrowminded on a lot of issues. Being unethical would be bad business for any large company like this, and the claims made about their practises are simply misinformed. Sure, they may be cutting corners here and there like you would expect any company to do (not that I'm saying that's right), but to me they seem to have more concern for "the little guy" than the opposition would have you believe.
That said, what I'm far more concerned about is the other little known coffee companies. Starbucks coffee is expensive, and we're assured that's partly due to the costs being passed onto the coffee farmers. For the sake of argument let's assume that's true. Now, look at the coffee in your local supermarket, particularly your "value" Kwikkymart type supermarkets. In my local one I can get a 1KG tub of coffee for 1.99 and they sell like hotcakes. For those prices I really doubt much of my money (if I was cheap or tasteless enough to buy it) is filtering down to the farmers, if any at all, and I wonder what kind of money any of the related industries (transport, packaging etc) are getting. Who knows what those guys are getting away with?
Bear in mind, I'm also wondering just how much of that 1KG is actually coffee:)
Don't worry, they're just warming up for the pro-piracy, anti-"The Man" comments they're getting ready to write. It wouldn't be slashdot without someone denying downloading means less ticket sales or splitting hairs over why copyright theft isn't the same as stealing.
The funny thing about the bad taste jokes is that if they all know they're really bad movies just what were they doing watching them in the first place.
Hehe.. well unfortunately PDF files have become the standard everywhere. Even my government documents are all released as PDFs, yet even on a modern PC they can be slow to load - the standard reader lacks even the basic features I expect out of HTML or TXT readers and trying to convert PDFs to HTML is like trying to get a PS3 and a Wii before Christmas.
All I want is something that I can use to read PDF files on the go. I originally bought a handheld because I desperately needed to read documents while on the move - even one of those hand held ebook readers would have done the job, but I have yet to find something that does everything I need to.
Of coures, now that I think of it, most of my woes were down to the fact that PDF is a horrible format at the best of times, and no matter what you just can't read a PDF document on a handheld.
If these laptops turn out to be cheap why can't we get handhelds with bigger screens, or even dual screens that fold over to fit in your pocket. I'm sure they exist, but they're either expensive or lack the complete functionality that I need, or frustratingly, it turns out that there is hardly any free software available.
Actually, it's clear you don't understand how money works, by virtue of the fact that you just posted a rant on how you perceive the US monetary system to work missing the point entirely. There are other monetary systems in the world you know, besides the US monetary system. Your entire rant sounds like you're just venting against the corporate overlords.
You said that a poor or middle class person can never break out of this system by mere work wages. That's true, but illustrates my point exactly. Working for wages as a way of getting rich shows a complete lack of understanding of how wealth is built. That's why they'll always stay poor or middle class - not because of some conspiracy theory to keep them in their place. What a sad, fatalistic way to think, and completely opposite to how successful entrepreneurs think.
I think it's perfectly clear from my post that I'm talking about the Western countries, and not the Third World, and nice ad hominem at the end - you clearly think about your posts rationally before you write such witty insults.
Actually, all of the money Paris Hilton makes is generated by her own work: TV shows,modelling deals etc. She doesn't get, nor need money from her parents. She's a very rich woman without them. You can sarcastically call her a genius if you like, but being a bimbo doesn't mean she doesn't understand how the system works. However, assuming that someone is dumb, and basing your opinion on tabloids, and hell.. even the fact you're reading tabloids makes me wonder at just how superior you suppose your own intelligence to be.
They deserve it, because the majority of poor people are poor because they don't understand how money works, and just fritter what they have away. They waste money on lotteries (!!) and other gambling idiocy, they take out loans they know they can't afford to pay back and rarely use the money to invest in anything that will generate money like a business. Usually it's money for personal use like holidays or they hire-purchase big scren TVS, cars, etc. Most poor people only think month to month, and not long term, like smart (and rich) businessmen. I admire anyone who sets up their own business, these people are rare. There are also lot of poor people who may have a substantial income, but also have huge credit card and other debts, and don't realise their net worth is in the negative.
The only thing that surprises me here is the "2%". I generally went by the 20/80 rule, but it seems there are only a few people who understand how to make money, and a majority of people who are either not interested in being superwealthy (forgiveable) or who never bother to dig their way out of their financial woes (unforgiveable).
Um dishonest? No. It's because he's using a strawman argument. Look it up, and you'll see that "confusing the issue" is what strawman arguments are used for, so send that accusation his way, not mine.
"It's a known fact" that quoting something as "a known fact" is a huge logical fallacy.
That aside, you're talking about the MPAA, we were talking about the RIAA - a completely different organisation, but don't let the facts get in the way!
Also you're talking about an alledged descrepancy, not a proof - but if you want to believe what you like without proof I'm sure nothing will change your mind.
And if the RIAA does not see a corresponding increase in their music sales, will they then realize that "stealing" is not the problem, but rather a lack of sanctioned paid music sites which offer the quality, convenience, unencumbered formats, and broad selection that piracy offers?
And if they do see a corresponding increase in their music sales, will you then realise the opposite?
You clearly know nothing about storytelling, writing or film. They are different mediums and require changes in order to work effectively as stories. You really need to take a few film classes, or at least brush up on your understanding of fiction and how it's protrayed in various mediums. Obsessing over details makes you blind to overarching themes and structure of a story, which are what's really important.
If you're going to flame me and call me a skinflint, find the part in the post where I said I even download illegal copies at all. Check my posting history here - I'm pretty much against piracy, most of the time, however I'm for people who just want to try it out with the intention to buy later if they like it. I don't actually do it myself, because with the exception of one show which I buy on DVD, and on itunes I don't watch current TV at all. So please find the quote where I said I do this.
As to why he downloaded all 5 seasons, it was probably because the torrent contained all 5 seasons, and he just let it run.
The advantage of bittorrent is that you can select individual files to download. Clearly this guy is an idiot and doesn't know how to use that, wasting bandwidth, or he's a thief and thought he was getting himself 5 years of TV for free.
Also, please list in total all the shows you've ever downloaded, and also the number of shows you've bought on DVD, just for comparison. You sound like a saint, buying everything you've watched online. Just want to make sure, so I can send you your medal.
I'll say one thing, though; Babylon 5 is the best argument for BitTorrent as a 'try before you buy' there ever was. Downloaded five seasons. Got three episodes in before my eyes and ears started to bleed.
Downloaded five seasons was trying before buying? Pull the other one, that was blatant theft, if you were trying why would you download that much? And I highly doubt you would have suddenly rushed out and bought all five seasons had you actually liked the show.
This is a disgraceful attitude. I'm all for using bittorrent to try out new shows before buying them, but this is just the kind of abuse of a wonderful technology that could be beneficial for users and studios. It's no wonder they're cracking down on it. It's clear here your motivation was "try because I'm too cheap to buy". I have no sympathy for you.
Last time I checked the majority of home computers on home desks were not Apples, but PC's running MS software, and since when was the Apple II as widely used as the IBM compatible PC running MS software?????????
Slashdot Mirror
It would be less inconvenient to the consumer if they forced us to do twenty situps before downloading.
I want downloadable movies, but not like this. It's still not an excuse for piracy (in case anyone gets funny ideas) but there are so many better solutions to this.
That said, what I'm far more concerned about is the other little known coffee companies. Starbucks coffee is expensive, and we're assured that's partly due to the costs being passed onto the coffee farmers. For the sake of argument let's assume that's true. Now, look at the coffee in your local supermarket, particularly your "value" Kwikkymart type supermarkets. In my local one I can get a 1KG tub of coffee for 1.99 and they sell like hotcakes. For those prices I really doubt much of my money (if I was cheap or tasteless enough to buy it) is filtering down to the farmers, if any at all, and I wonder what kind of money any of the related industries (transport, packaging etc) are getting. Who knows what those guys are getting away with?
Bear in mind, I'm also wondering just how much of that 1KG is actually coffee :)
In other news people drink water to stop being thirsty.
Folder?? Does anyone use "directory" anymore? Bah, I refuse to acknowledge I'm living in the past...
Must. Not. Anthropomorphize.
The funny thing about the bad taste jokes is that if they all know they're really bad movies just what were they doing watching them in the first place.
So are we all sex offenders now?
Hehe.. well unfortunately PDF files have become the standard everywhere. Even my government documents are all released as PDFs, yet even on a modern PC they can be slow to load - the standard reader lacks even the basic features I expect out of HTML or TXT readers and trying to convert PDFs to HTML is like trying to get a PS3 and a Wii before Christmas.
Of coures, now that I think of it, most of my woes were down to the fact that PDF is a horrible format at the best of times, and no matter what you just can't read a PDF document on a handheld.
If these laptops turn out to be cheap why can't we get handhelds with bigger screens, or even dual screens that fold over to fit in your pocket. I'm sure they exist, but they're either expensive or lack the complete functionality that I need, or frustratingly, it turns out that there is hardly any free software available.
The 2% that qualify for MENSA.
Actually, it's clear you don't understand how money works, by virtue of the fact that you just posted a rant on how you perceive the US monetary system to work missing the point entirely. There are other monetary systems in the world you know, besides the US monetary system. Your entire rant sounds like you're just venting against the corporate overlords. You said that a poor or middle class person can never break out of this system by mere work wages. That's true, but illustrates my point exactly. Working for wages as a way of getting rich shows a complete lack of understanding of how wealth is built. That's why they'll always stay poor or middle class - not because of some conspiracy theory to keep them in their place. What a sad, fatalistic way to think, and completely opposite to how successful entrepreneurs think.
I think it's perfectly clear from my post that I'm talking about the Western countries, and not the Third World, and nice ad hominem at the end - you clearly think about your posts rationally before you write such witty insults.
Actually, all of the money Paris Hilton makes is generated by her own work: TV shows,modelling deals etc. She doesn't get, nor need money from her parents. She's a very rich woman without them. You can sarcastically call her a genius if you like, but being a bimbo doesn't mean she doesn't understand how the system works. However, assuming that someone is dumb, and basing your opinion on tabloids, and hell.. even the fact you're reading tabloids makes me wonder at just how superior you suppose your own intelligence to be.
The only thing that surprises me here is the "2%". I generally went by the 20/80 rule, but it seems there are only a few people who understand how to make money, and a majority of people who are either not interested in being superwealthy (forgiveable) or who never bother to dig their way out of their financial woes (unforgiveable).
Um dishonest? No. It's because he's using a strawman argument. Look it up, and you'll see that "confusing the issue" is what strawman arguments are used for, so send that accusation his way, not mine.
That aside, you're talking about the MPAA, we were talking about the RIAA - a completely different organisation, but don't let the facts get in the way!
Also you're talking about an alledged descrepancy, not a proof - but if you want to believe what you like without proof I'm sure nothing will change your mind.
Prove it.
And if they do see a corresponding increase in their music sales, will you then realise the opposite?
You clearly know nothing about storytelling, writing or film. They are different mediums and require changes in order to work effectively as stories. You really need to take a few film classes, or at least brush up on your understanding of fiction and how it's protrayed in various mediums. Obsessing over details makes you blind to overarching themes and structure of a story, which are what's really important.
And then I'll leech it off bittorrent.
As to why he downloaded all 5 seasons, it was probably because the torrent contained all 5 seasons, and he just let it run.
The advantage of bittorrent is that you can select individual files to download. Clearly this guy is an idiot and doesn't know how to use that, wasting bandwidth, or he's a thief and thought he was getting himself 5 years of TV for free.
Also, please list in total all the shows you've ever downloaded, and also the number of shows you've bought on DVD, just for comparison. You sound like a saint, buying everything you've watched online. Just want to make sure, so I can send you your medal.
Downloaded five seasons was trying before buying? Pull the other one, that was blatant theft, if you were trying why would you download that much? And I highly doubt you would have suddenly rushed out and bought all five seasons had you actually liked the show.
This is a disgraceful attitude. I'm all for using bittorrent to try out new shows before buying them, but this is just the kind of abuse of a wonderful technology that could be beneficial for users and studios. It's no wonder they're cracking down on it. It's clear here your motivation was "try because I'm too cheap to buy". I have no sympathy for you.
Bill put a desktop on every desk, in every home.