I'm sure there are many others, but for those that want social networking and unsigned digital distribution there is always Subcircuit too!
http://www.subcircuit.com/
When people put time and effort into creating something, they (usually) give that something value. Often times, when that share that object of value with others they expect some form of compensation, be it a pat on the back or a cool mil.
It seems that with the advent of digital technology, either you loose the abilty to enforce compensation, or you loose civil liberties. Any time you give someone the ability to view your digital data, it is only a matter of time before anyone could view that data, legitimately or illegitimately. It seems the only way to enforce that would be through a loss of privacy (or what little we have left).
I guess we need to decide which we prefer, and I don't think that I would choose enforced compensation if it meant loosing my freedoms.
This doesn't mean compensation wouldn't happen. Sure people could rip others off blindly, but I'd like to think that there are still people out there who would be willing to pay for something of value knowing that it would help the creator continue to create. Especially if they knew the money they were paying was going solely to the creator, not lining the pockets of a bloated and outdated institution.
Slashdot Mirror
I'm sure there are many others, but for those that want social networking and unsigned digital distribution there is always Subcircuit too! http://www.subcircuit.com/
It seems that with the advent of digital technology, either you loose the abilty to enforce compensation, or you loose civil liberties. Any time you give someone the ability to view your digital data, it is only a matter of time before anyone could view that data, legitimately or illegitimately. It seems the only way to enforce that would be through a loss of privacy (or what little we have left).
I guess we need to decide which we prefer, and I don't think that I would choose enforced compensation if it meant loosing my freedoms.
This doesn't mean compensation wouldn't happen. Sure people could rip others off blindly, but I'd like to think that there are still people out there who would be willing to pay for something of value knowing that it would help the creator continue to create. Especially if they knew the money they were paying was going solely to the creator, not lining the pockets of a bloated and outdated institution.