Let me come in, buy one or two songs for a buck (and give me my fair use rights to them), and maybe I'll be back in a couple months to spend more.
One problem with such an arrangement is that you'd be forced to buy mislabled songs, corrupted songs and so forth. If they charge on a per song basis, customers will demand some sort of quality control so they don't end up spending money downloading crap. And that means a lot more work for the downloading service. On KaZaA I find lots of songs that are mislabled (wrong band, wrong song, etc.). Doesn't bother me too much because I can always try to download the correct song later. But if I was paying for those downloads, I'd be mucho pissedo (that's Spanish for "very upset", BTW). Another problem would be the RIAA flodding the service with those bogus MP3 files which have been discussed on slashdot before. Purposely corrupted MP3s that cost you money to download.
Your idea is nice but, as you point out, the downloading service is gonna want a steady revenue stream and they certainly don't want to have to inspect each MP3 on their service for quality and accuracy. I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for a per-song downloading service.
While real physics has always been about rigorous (and vigorous) lab work, the popular image of physics, and Science as a whole, has strayed from this considerably.
Gees. Not only do you insult theoretical physicists here but every other science that does not involve experimentation such as computer science and mathematics. Who are you to define what "real physics" and "real Science" is?
Witness, for example, the popular celebration of Einstein's thought experiments. The average layman is under the impression that Einstein reached his great intellectual climaxes by just sitting and thinking about things, maybe over a cup of hot chocolate. What people don't see is the hours of experimentation (real experimentation) as he tried to verify and correct the results of his thought experiments.
Einstein did some of his best work while employeed as a patent clerk [1][2][3]. As a patent clerk, he most likely did not have access to the laboratory equipment needed to perform experiments involving speeds close to that of light. In fact the first experimental verification of general relativity was done some years after his papers and by someone else.
So why is it like that? Are people just stupid?
Okay, you've called us all stupid. Now here's your chance to back up that claim by showing us proof of these supposed "hours of experimentation (real experimentation)" that Einstein needed to work out relativity.
Since the collapse of the Catholic Church in the times of Galileo Galilei, there has been a vacuum where religious fervor once stood. Science (or this fantastical mockery of Science) has filled that void, uncomfortably.
I don't know what country you live in, but here in the US, the Cathloic Church is a formidable force in people's lives and in public policies. It certainly has not collapsed.
For a little more in depth reading I'd look into buying The Large Scale Structure of Space-Time [amazon.com] by Stephen W. Hawking.
I'm sorry but I was just reminded of that episode of the Simpons where Homer is transported into the third dimension. Scared of the strange things he sees in this new universe he mutters to himself:
IMHO, the spamming of USENET has been one of the great tragedies of the popularization of the Internet. There was once a time when a young 13 year old girl who had just been molested/raped by a trusted uncle or family friend could go to alt.sexual.abuse and find comfort that she was not alone. That others had suffered as she had. Find a place where she could talk with people who understood and could relate to her. She could have posted using the anonymous server in Norway (wasn't that where it was?) and felt secure that her real identity would never be uncovered. Nowdays, because of rampant spamming done on any newsgroup with the word 'sex' or 'sexual' in the title, a young rape/incest victim would go to this newsgroup and, instead of finding a supportive atmosphere, be bombarded by ads along the lines of "Cum see young teenage cum sluts who desparately crave cock!" or "Lolitas who can't get it often enough in the ass!".
I haven't perused USENET in years and I have no plans to return. The spamming is terrible.
Hey, at least now Microsoft won't have to buy politicans. It can simply vote them in at no cost. Hell, the states will actually pay them for the software -- what could be better? What a great way for cash-strapped Micro$oft to save some bucks.
You make some good points, Pii, which I probably should have stuck in my original post. I was too busy taking the original poster to task.
I am no fan of the Chinese government. I realize they are evil and corrupt. And I'm sure they bear a large part of the blame. But the original poster had a "not my fault" tone to it, and I wanted to make it clear that the First World is partially to blame for this mess.
I want to go completely paperless, because I don't like the idea of killing the rainforest for paper.
God dammit!! Why do people keep saying this?!? Paper comes from trees specifically planted to produce paper! It doesn't come from the trees in the rainforests! The rainforests are being cut down because space is needed for agricultural development in 3rd world countries. Do you really think trees are falling in South America and then being shipped to the USA to make paper??
Your post (which someone modded as 'Insightful') seems to ask what you can do for the environment. Here's my suggestion: make sure you really understand the issues. Because when you start spouting things like "killing the rainforest for paper" you make ALL of us look like idiots. It's too easy for the pro-big-business, anti-environment forces to point to someone like you and paint all concerned people as morons who want to save the rainforests "because Sting said so".
I can't tell if you're trolling or not but since I've seen a couple of comments here that seem to agree with your position, I feel the need to reply.
As for the enviornmental concerns, last time I looked China wasn't the 51st state. If their government can't control it then it's their problem not ours.
You're a little heartless, aren't you? "Hey, if it's not my fault, I don't wanna hear about it." These people are suffering. Doesn't that mean anything to you? And as far as the thought that environmental concerns outside of the US isn't our concern, what do you say about the chemicals that are being released into the atmosphere when they burn all that stuff? Toxins don't respect international boundaries.
Amazing how America can be portrayed as the bad guy all around the world.
I didn't see anything in the article specifically pointing the blame finger at the US. But it's worth noting that we are making this problem worse with our throw-away society. I would wager that the average American buys a new computer every 3-4 years. And they don't just buy a new processor and more memory, they buy a whole new friggin' computer! New keyboard, new motherboard, new monitor, new printer, etc. even though their old one is still functioning. If more people would simply buy what they need instead of being lazy and buying the package deal they get from Dell or Gateway, there wouldn't be so much hazardous computer trash to get rid of. Hell, even if you don't want to deal with the hastle of installing your own components into your old motherboard, just tell Dell or Gateway that you don't want the monitor. If they say "No, you have to buy the monitor as well!" you say "No, I dont. I'm leaving." No one is forcing you to add to the waste problem of the world.
Face facts, if you're stupid enough to inhale fumes from PC parts you're burning you should be dead. Those who don't die make money.
Did you read the article? These people have the equivalent of a few years of schooling at most. How many American elementary school kids do you think realize how much toxic stuff is in computers? These people don't have the education or knowledge to realize what they're doing. And even if they did, these people are desperate for a job. I'm sure that you, sitting at your computer munching away at a jelly donut or gulping down a SuperSize McDonald's meal don't fully realize how desperate one can be when you have a choice between a job that gives you headaches or watching your family starve to death.
If you don't like where you live... move. It's like Sam Kinnison used to say, "You live in a freaking desert. Move."
Again, these people don't have any money. It takes money to start a new life. And where the hell do you suggest they go? Oh, that's right: this isn't your problem. As for the Kinnison quote, keep in mind that he was a comedian. You're not supposed to live your life in accordance with his routine.
I suspect America is "portrayed as the bad guy all around the world" because of awful human beings such as yourself who openly laugh at the less fortunate.
Thus, I think a "pure" action movie, containing little or no dialogue and only implicit plot could be great.
Hmmm. Interesting viewpoint. I don't agree with it but it's interesting. Let's draw an analogy to sex. Sex with someone you love is awesome. Sex with a complete stranger you couldn't care less about is an empty experience. But, as Dave Barry says, as far as empty experiences go, it's one of the best.
It talks about the role of SFX in movie production nowadays and comes to the connclusion that while might not 100% computer-created in the future, we'll see more of realistic-looking special effects in future titles.
More realistic effects in the future, huh? Boy, they're really going out on a limb this time.
Actually, it was chrisd's final statement that spoked me:
This should not be confused with our earlier diamond discussion.
You remember, don't you? The one that went like so:
Would you buy one for the love of your life? I know my girlfriend would love a diamond, but ethically I have my doubts. Diseased-miners, child slave labour, cartel inflated prices...
I guess we have to add murders and grave robbing to that list now! Those evil diamond traders will do anything to get more raw materials for their diabolical schemes!
If you'd actually read the site you'd know why this thing is worth $15K. This guy spent 3 years building it - it's not just some shell that looks pretty and that's about it.
So I should pay $15K because he spent 3 years building it, huh? And if he managed to build it in 1 year of super-intense work, would it only be worth $5K?
And, oh yeah, if I'm quoting from the site, then it stands to reason that I read it, don't cha think?
Bringing STAR TREK's newest alien face to life isn't always easy for actress Jolene Blalock, who's spent the last month jiggling her time in space with her time in...
Why do they need an autonomous grass-cutting machine in NZ? Can't you just tie a sheep to a pole in the center of your yard and have him eat the grass for you?
Is it just me or is this a stupid idea? Almost no one who rides the subway is actively looking out the windows at the subway walls. Hell, many of the subway seats actually face away from the walls, towards the inside of the car. That picture at the top of the ABCNews.com article is priceless: all those images are flickering by behind the commuters! Yeah, they can look out the opposite window, but what incentive is there for people to do that? It's not like TV where there's something interesting to watch and then a commerical pop up. There's nothing interesting on the subway walls so who's going to be looking there? Everyone either zones out or brings something to read on the subway.
When people think about overpopulation, they often think of India and China which have very obvious problems. But the biggest threat to the environment in overpopulation in the US. Why? Because our standard of living (a euphimism for how much which consume) is so high. An American consumes far more of the planet's resources than a European or an Indian or a Chinese. The larger the population in the United States, the faster the drain on the world's resources.
As crazy as it sounds, if you're concerned about the environment, you need to be concerned about rampant illegal immigration. I am NOT against legal immigration. The "melting pot" concept is one of the reasons the US is such an incredible country. What I'm against is a flood of immigrants coming here faster than our system can handle. And if you're an environmentalist, you need to be concerned about this, too. Consider spending some of your philanthropic dollars on a population control group (but check The American Institute of Philanthropy first).
Of course, the real cure would be to get Americans to quit using so much gas, food, electricity, etc. but, let's be realistic, that's not going to happen anytime soon.
Even the most well run orgs run with a 10-25% administration costs, and I'd rather send directly to the cause I believe. A lot of the organizations have administrative costs of 50-80%.
Quite true and it seems as though the largest and most well-known charities are often the most wasteful.
I URGE anyone who gives money to any charity -- environmental or other -- to spend $3 and get the Charity Watchdog Report produced by the American Institute of Philanthropy . This group analyzes the financial books of over 400 charities and summarizes it for you so you know how wisely they spend the money they collect from you. I, myself, have quit supporting several charities I used to (and gave the money to other charitiable organizations in the same field) because of what I've read in the Watchdog Report.
Man, when I first read the article title I thought it said "Bill O'Reilly (of FOX News) Bashes Open Source Efforts In Govt" and I was thinking "Oh God, please don't tell me we're going to start hearing about 'socialized software development'!"
This ain't a very good start of the day for me (10:30a is too early in the morning for me)...
talking, putting on makeup, reaching around to take care of a baby/kids, getting dressed, drinking a soda/coffee and eating food have been statistically proven to be many *many* times more dangerous than simply talking on a cellphone.
Please provide a URL link to the statistic that shows that more accidents are caused by people getting dressed while driving than from people using cell phones while driving. I'd be interested in seeing it.
Now, accidents being caused because some hot chick is getting undressed while driving I can understand...:)
If he'd crashed in to one of those trees and died, I bet that 48 minutes would have been reinserted. It's about time talking on phones when driving was made illegal.
Not only would his footage have been restored (although the entire 48 minutes wasn't about him), the movie would have been dedicated to him as well. And we'd have to sit and listen to the other cast members praise/remember him on talk shows.
I second your call for making driving while phoning illegal. You need to make a cell-phone call? Pull off to the side of the road and talk. When you're ready to dedicate your attention to driving, come back and join the rest of us on the roads!
Slashdot Mirror
Don't forget that he has to be able to dance in front of the crowd!
GMD
Let me come in, buy one or two songs for a buck (and give me my fair use rights to them), and maybe I'll be back in a couple months to spend more.
One problem with such an arrangement is that you'd be forced to buy mislabled songs, corrupted songs and so forth. If they charge on a per song basis, customers will demand some sort of quality control so they don't end up spending money downloading crap. And that means a lot more work for the downloading service. On KaZaA I find lots of songs that are mislabled (wrong band, wrong song, etc.). Doesn't bother me too much because I can always try to download the correct song later. But if I was paying for those downloads, I'd be mucho pissedo (that's Spanish for "very upset", BTW). Another problem would be the RIAA flodding the service with those bogus MP3 files which have been discussed on slashdot before. Purposely corrupted MP3s that cost you money to download.
Your idea is nice but, as you point out, the downloading service is gonna want a steady revenue stream and they certainly don't want to have to inspect each MP3 on their service for quality and accuracy. I wouldn't hold my breath waiting for a per-song downloading service.
GMD
While real physics has always been about rigorous (and vigorous) lab work, the popular image of physics, and Science as a whole, has strayed from this considerably.
Gees. Not only do you insult theoretical physicists here but every other science that does not involve experimentation such as computer science and mathematics. Who are you to define what "real physics" and "real Science" is?
Witness, for example, the popular celebration of Einstein's thought experiments. The average layman is under the impression that Einstein reached his great intellectual climaxes by just sitting and thinking about things, maybe over a cup of hot chocolate. What people don't see is the hours of experimentation (real experimentation) as he tried to verify and correct the results of his thought experiments.
Einstein did some of his best work while employeed as a patent clerk [1] [2] [3]. As a patent clerk, he most likely did not have access to the laboratory equipment needed to perform experiments involving speeds close to that of light. In fact the first experimental verification of general relativity was done some years after his papers and by someone else.
So why is it like that? Are people just stupid?
Okay, you've called us all stupid. Now here's your chance to back up that claim by showing us proof of these supposed "hours of experimentation (real experimentation)" that Einstein needed to work out relativity.
Since the collapse of the Catholic Church in the times of Galileo Galilei, there has been a vacuum where religious fervor once stood. Science (or this fantastical mockery of Science) has filled that void, uncomfortably.
I don't know what country you live in, but here in the US, the Cathloic Church is a formidable force in people's lives and in public policies. It certainly has not collapsed.
Show the theorists some respect.
GMD
For a little more in depth reading I'd look into buying The Large Scale Structure of Space-Time [amazon.com] by Stephen W. Hawking.
I'm sorry but I was just reminded of that episode of the Simpons where Homer is transported into the third dimension. Scared of the strange things he sees in this new universe he mutters to himself:
"I wish I read that book by that wheelchair guy!"
GMD
IMHO, the spamming of USENET has been one of the great tragedies of the popularization of the Internet. There was once a time when a young 13 year old girl who had just been molested/raped by a trusted uncle or family friend could go to alt.sexual.abuse and find comfort that she was not alone. That others had suffered as she had. Find a place where she could talk with people who understood and could relate to her. She could have posted using the anonymous server in Norway (wasn't that where it was?) and felt secure that her real identity would never be uncovered. Nowdays, because of rampant spamming done on any newsgroup with the word 'sex' or 'sexual' in the title, a young rape/incest victim would go to this newsgroup and, instead of finding a supportive atmosphere, be bombarded by ads along the lines of "Cum see young teenage cum sluts who desparately crave cock!" or "Lolitas who can't get it often enough in the ass!".
I haven't perused USENET in years and I have no plans to return. The spamming is terrible.
GMD
Hey, at least now Microsoft won't have to buy politicans. It can simply vote them in at no cost. Hell, the states will actually pay them for the software -- what could be better? What a great way for cash-strapped Micro$oft to save some bucks.
GMD
Clippy: "It looks like you're voting for President!
(wiggles paperclip tail and bounces around the screen excitedly)
I can just see some old geezer going ape-shit when that starts to happen. "Someone is spying on my vote!"
GMD
You make some good points, Pii, which I probably should have stuck in my original post. I was too busy taking the original poster to task.
I am no fan of the Chinese government. I realize they are evil and corrupt. And I'm sure they bear a large part of the blame. But the original poster had a "not my fault" tone to it, and I wanted to make it clear that the First World is partially to blame for this mess.
This post is not a direct response to you, GMD
Thanks for the clarification. Peace. :)
GMD
I want to go completely paperless, because I don't like the idea of killing the rainforest for paper.
God dammit!! Why do people keep saying this?!? Paper comes from trees specifically planted to produce paper! It doesn't come from the trees in the rainforests! The rainforests are being cut down because space is needed for agricultural development in 3rd world countries. Do you really think trees are falling in South America and then being shipped to the USA to make paper??
Your post (which someone modded as 'Insightful') seems to ask what you can do for the environment. Here's my suggestion: make sure you really understand the issues. Because when you start spouting things like "killing the rainforest for paper" you make ALL of us look like idiots. It's too easy for the pro-big-business, anti-environment forces to point to someone like you and paint all concerned people as morons who want to save the rainforests "because Sting said so".
GMD
I can't tell if you're trolling or not but since I've seen a couple of comments here that seem to agree with your position, I feel the need to reply.
As for the enviornmental concerns, last time I looked China wasn't the 51st state. If their government can't control it then it's their problem not ours.
You're a little heartless, aren't you? "Hey, if it's not my fault, I don't wanna hear about it." These people are suffering. Doesn't that mean anything to you? And as far as the thought that environmental concerns outside of the US isn't our concern, what do you say about the chemicals that are being released into the atmosphere when they burn all that stuff? Toxins don't respect international boundaries.
Amazing how America can be portrayed as the bad guy all around the world.
I didn't see anything in the article specifically pointing the blame finger at the US. But it's worth noting that we are making this problem worse with our throw-away society. I would wager that the average American buys a new computer every 3-4 years. And they don't just buy a new processor and more memory, they buy a whole new friggin' computer! New keyboard, new motherboard, new monitor, new printer, etc. even though their old one is still functioning. If more people would simply buy what they need instead of being lazy and buying the package deal they get from Dell or Gateway, there wouldn't be so much hazardous computer trash to get rid of. Hell, even if you don't want to deal with the hastle of installing your own components into your old motherboard, just tell Dell or Gateway that you don't want the monitor. If they say "No, you have to buy the monitor as well!" you say "No, I dont. I'm leaving." No one is forcing you to add to the waste problem of the world.
Face facts, if you're stupid enough to inhale fumes from PC parts you're burning you should be dead. Those who don't die make money.
Did you read the article? These people have the equivalent of a few years of schooling at most. How many American elementary school kids do you think realize how much toxic stuff is in computers? These people don't have the education or knowledge to realize what they're doing. And even if they did, these people are desperate for a job. I'm sure that you, sitting at your computer munching away at a jelly donut or gulping down a SuperSize McDonald's meal don't fully realize how desperate one can be when you have a choice between a job that gives you headaches or watching your family starve to death.
If you don't like where you live ... move. It's like Sam Kinnison used to say, "You live in a freaking desert. Move."
Again, these people don't have any money. It takes money to start a new life. And where the hell do you suggest they go? Oh, that's right: this isn't your problem. As for the Kinnison quote, keep in mind that he was a comedian. You're not supposed to live your life in accordance with his routine.
I suspect America is "portrayed as the bad guy all around the world" because of awful human beings such as yourself who openly laugh at the less fortunate.
GMD
With 'Princess Mononoke' fresh in our memories, the number one highest grossing film in Japan -ever- is coming to the US.
You mean something finally beat out 'Godzilla vs. The Smog Monster'?
GMD
screw the dinosaurs, give me s1m0ne!
Err, wouldn't you rather screw s1m0ne? I don't wanna hear about any dino-porn on slashdot. Those goatse.cx links are already too much to stomach.
GMD
Thus, I think a "pure" action movie, containing little or no dialogue and only implicit plot could be great.
Hmmm. Interesting viewpoint. I don't agree with it but it's interesting. Let's draw an analogy to sex. Sex with someone you love is awesome. Sex with a complete stranger you couldn't care less about is an empty experience. But, as Dave Barry says, as far as empty experiences go, it's one of the best.
GMD
It talks about the role of SFX in movie production nowadays and comes to the connclusion that while might not 100% computer-created in the future, we'll see more of realistic-looking special effects in future titles.
More realistic effects in the future, huh? Boy, they're really going out on a limb this time.
GMD
Actually, it was chrisd's final statement that spoked me:
This should not be confused with our earlier diamond discussion.
You remember, don't you? The one that went like so:
Would you buy one for the love of your life? I know my girlfriend would love a diamond, but ethically I have my doubts. Diseased-miners, child slave labour, cartel inflated prices...
I guess we have to add murders and grave robbing to that list now! Those evil diamond traders will do anything to get more raw materials for their diabolical schemes!
GMD
If you'd actually read the site you'd know why this thing is worth $15K. This guy spent 3 years building it - it's not just some shell that looks pretty and that's about it.
So I should pay $15K because he spent 3 years building it, huh? And if he managed to build it in 1 year of super-intense work, would it only be worth $5K?
And, oh yeah, if I'm quoting from the site, then it stands to reason that I read it, don't cha think?
GMD
Gotta love the caption on the photos, too:
(Note: not all items in this photo are included in this auction)
So I don't even know how much of that thing $15K buys! Maybe it just buys the frame and all the knobs are to be sold on another auction?
Sheesh...
GMD
Bringing STAR TREK's newest alien face to life isn't always easy for actress Jolene Blalock, who's spent the last month jiggling her time in space with her time in...
Now that's an interview I might actually read!
GMD
Why do they need an autonomous grass-cutting machine in NZ? Can't you just tie a sheep to a pole in the center of your yard and have him eat the grass for you?
GMD
Is it just me or is this a stupid idea? Almost no one who rides the subway is actively looking out the windows at the subway walls. Hell, many of the subway seats actually face away from the walls, towards the inside of the car. That picture at the top of the ABCNews.com article is priceless: all those images are flickering by behind the commuters! Yeah, they can look out the opposite window, but what incentive is there for people to do that? It's not like TV where there's something interesting to watch and then a commerical pop up. There's nothing interesting on the subway walls so who's going to be looking there? Everyone either zones out or brings something to read on the subway.
Advertisers must be getting desperate...
GMD
When people think about overpopulation, they often think of India and China which have very obvious problems. But the biggest threat to the environment in overpopulation in the US. Why? Because our standard of living (a euphimism for how much which consume) is so high. An American consumes far more of the planet's resources than a European or an Indian or a Chinese. The larger the population in the United States, the faster the drain on the world's resources.
As crazy as it sounds, if you're concerned about the environment, you need to be concerned about rampant illegal immigration. I am NOT against legal immigration. The "melting pot" concept is one of the reasons the US is such an incredible country. What I'm against is a flood of immigrants coming here faster than our system can handle. And if you're an environmentalist, you need to be concerned about this, too. Consider spending some of your philanthropic dollars on a population control group (but check The American Institute of Philanthropy first).
Of course, the real cure would be to get Americans to quit using so much gas, food, electricity, etc. but, let's be realistic, that's not going to happen anytime soon.
GMD
Even the most well run orgs run with a 10-25% administration costs, and I'd rather send directly to the cause I believe. A lot of the organizations have administrative costs of 50-80%.
Quite true and it seems as though the largest and most well-known charities are often the most wasteful.
I URGE anyone who gives money to any charity -- environmental or other -- to spend $3 and get the Charity Watchdog Report produced by the American Institute of Philanthropy . This group analyzes the financial books of over 400 charities and summarizes it for you so you know how wisely they spend the money they collect from you. I, myself, have quit supporting several charities I used to (and gave the money to other charitiable organizations in the same field) because of what I've read in the Watchdog Report.
GMD
Man, when I first read the article title I thought it said "Bill O'Reilly (of FOX News) Bashes Open Source Efforts In Govt" and I was thinking "Oh God, please don't tell me we're going to start hearing about 'socialized software development'!"
This ain't a very good start of the day for me (10:30a is too early in the morning for me)...
GMD
talking, putting on makeup, reaching around to take care of a baby/kids, getting dressed, drinking a soda/coffee and eating food have been statistically proven to be many *many* times more dangerous than simply talking on a cellphone.
Please provide a URL link to the statistic that shows that more accidents are caused by people getting dressed while driving than from people using cell phones while driving. I'd be interested in seeing it.
Now, accidents being caused because some hot chick is getting undressed while driving I can understand... :)
GMD
If he'd crashed in to one of those trees and died, I bet that 48 minutes would have been reinserted. It's about time talking on phones when driving was made illegal.
Not only would his footage have been restored (although the entire 48 minutes wasn't about him), the movie would have been dedicated to him as well. And we'd have to sit and listen to the other cast members praise/remember him on talk shows.
I second your call for making driving while phoning illegal. You need to make a cell-phone call? Pull off to the side of the road and talk. When you're ready to dedicate your attention to driving, come back and join the rest of us on the roads!
GMD