The subpoena powers the RIAA have been.... errr... granted are much, much more wide-reaching than those normally used
Don't forget that the exact same ISPs that are now biatching about the subpoenas agreed to them when they sat down and hammered out the terms of the DMCA.
That was part of the 'safe harbor' deal that protects ISPs from being held accountable for how their subscribers might violate copyright.
The tricky part is that the original terms dictated that it generally applied to HTTP/FTP sites hosted on ISP servers, whereas the P2P apps are on home-bound PCs routed through the ISP.
To put it another way, imagine that your PC running Kazaa were co-located at an ISP. Giving up that name is essentially what they agreed to do.
Personally, I don't think there's much difference between my PC here and my PC co-located at an ISP.
However, this 'fast-track' subpoena process does seem highly problematic -- just don't forget that these very ISPs agreed to it in order to shift the legal burden from themselves to their customers (ie: you).
"Fair use is a copyright principle based on the belief that the public is entitled to freely use portions of copyrighted materials for purposes of commentary and criticism. For example, if you wish to criticize a novelist, you should have the freedom to quote a portion of the novelist's work without asking permission. Absent this freedom, copyright owners could stifle any negative comments about their work."
So, for example, my inclusion of that quote makes use of 'fair use'.
Software millionares generally make their millions selling software.
It's safe to assume that having millions puts you in a better position to influence government.
Though P2P and GPL seem to be the battle cry, it's worth considering the potential of those systems to generate a new round of millionares who can, in turn, influence government.
It seems the message should be encouraging Creative Commons and GPL for those that choose that route, and respect for those that don't.
The typical "RIAA vs. freedom" spin turns a blind eye to all the small independents that also sell their work, and not just musicians, but software developers and so on.
I make software for playing music over the Web (Andromeda) and I'd like the RIAA to make it clear whether it's ok for me to let my mom listen to my music via Andromeda, but when the EFF seems to endorse copying music, it feels like they must also endorse copying software.
Furthermore, the typical "compulsory" models offered as replacement to the current system seem to require everybody's PCs to report back to a central agency with a running record of what files are consumed -- and that seems like just the sort of thing the EFF should be PROTECTING us from.
Actually, the Bookshelf series seems to demonstrate that O'Reilly thinks selling unbundled PDFs would be bad for business, presumably out of a concern that they would wind up on P2P networks.
Each CD in the Bookshelf series costs about $100 and includes roughly five books.
It seems that the same demand for unbundled, non-DRM'd MP3 files should apply to e-books as well.
Hey, this is Scott from Andromeda. Somewhere in this sub-thread somebody called it a Windows app, not so -- I've built both ASP and PHP versions, and it runs on Windows, Linux/Unix, and Mac OS X. (I'm still curious about BeOS;)
I think people choose Andromeda because they like how it works, how it looks, that it's easy to set up and maintain, that there's loads of docs on the site, and that I personally answer each and every email.
I'm also trying to help promote some users that welcome public traffic: check out the spotlight.
"I purchased Andromeda and I love it. I just wish there was a way to count tracks and manipulate/use ID3 tags like Netjuke."
Hey thanks -- it goes without saying that/. is generally a tough crowd not always so kind to independent programmers trying to earn a living (the misinterpretation of Stallman's ideas often goes unchecked).
In any case, each and every purchase is genuinely appreciated, and each and every purchase makes a difference.
With ID3 tags, I actually suggest running a dedicated app for that. Some of them can even check audio fingerprints and do a lookup. Tag & Rename seems to be a popular choice, and I'm sure other folks have their favorites too. As for track numbers, you can turn on fileCount via preferences.
Appologies for the plug, but my app Andromeda will still work fine (you just need to turn on Apache and PHP).
I also just put up a doc with OS X tips including info about configuring it to serve directly from your iTunes folder, as well as configuring it to serve M4A and M4P files, like those from the iTunes Music Store...
I never tried an FM transmitter, but I did get a 900MHz doo-dad (perhaps from X10?). It didn't work so well -- it was too sensitive to interference from other devices (especially the microwave) and I don't use it anymore.
I live in NYC, and I most of my wireless stuff gets a little flakey at times.
I have an old PC ("the server") that has my music collection and is wired to my stereo, and wired to my LAN.
I mostly work on a wi-fi laptop.
I use remote desktop software to control what's playing on the server. That way, no matter where I am, I can control what's on the stereo, using any audio source available to the server (whether it's my software or services like Rhapsody or other Web sites or Internet radio).
You can use pretty much any remote software, such as WinXP's Remote Desktop or PCAnywhere or VNC (I have some notes about that here).
Next, you could also make that same server-based collection available for playback over your LAN -- and even out over the Internet (if you have enough upstream bandwidth).
Andromeda lets you do that, provided you're running a Web server that can do PHP or ASP.
That all might sound complicated, but it's not, and it's really convenient.
Linux audio folks might be interested in my software, Andromeda. It runs on Linux/Mac OS/Windows with PHP or ASP, and turns a collection of MP3s, OGGs, and so on into a streaming web site.
Sorry if that was too much of a self-serving plug.
Some people have started to use Andromeda for audio blogs. For instance, Xeni at BoingBoing is doing just that with the Blogoshpere conference audio (here and here).
There's no reason why you couldn't do the same with video files.
btw, I made Andromeda and if you're interested in trying this sort of thing, please let me know...
They actually profiled my software, it's a bummer!
on
Shift Calls it Quits
·
· Score: 2, Interesting
Shift did a story on my MP3 software Andromeda>. Derek Martin, the reporter, spent a huge amount of time back-and-forthing with me via email. Nice guys, too bad...
I make software that turns collections of MP3 files into streaming web sites. I've got lots of bands, but I've recently been looking for "spoken word" type content - dramas would be SO cool! If at all interested, check out Andromeda and get in touch! -Scott
Not exactly the same thing, but you might take a look at Andromeda which (along with Apache/PHP) lets you stream your MP3/OGG/etc collection. I made Andromeda, so sorry about the self-plug, but I do have a bunch of OS X'ers running it. Also, I do charge for Andromeda (it's my job). Anyways, I hope you check it out... -Scott
Hey, I'm glad you like Andromeda. As I just pointed out in the other followup to my post, Andromeda isn't meant to be a way to anonymously search for and download files.
It's mostly used by people who want to remotely play their MP3 collection, and also by bands and other organizations that want to share their files.
You make a vaild point, but it doesn't really apply. Andromeda isn't a vehicle for anonymous file sharing, and I'm concerned by such behavior for exactly the reason you mention.
In fact, you'll see that the post immediately above yours is asking for me to add a 'universal search' to Andromeda - there isn't one now, and I don't intend for there to be one, as that's not what it's about.
Most people use Andromeda to access their own collections remotely over the network.
Independent bands also use it to share their files.
There are indeed legitmate uses for making files available over the network, and that's what I've been trying to do all along.
"I will jsut use another app that isn't suing the same port"
Please let me suggest my app, Andromeda, which uses the web. I do ask that people pay for the software, but I've put years of work into it, and I think you'll find it to be a good thing.
"Andromeda is good for streaming, but caries a huge overhead if you are just looking for a jukebox."
If the load feels too large on your 133mhz/32mb box, Andromeda might not be right for you. My spare 'server' is an old 200mhz laptop, and it feels just fine to me. fwiw, much of Andromeda's design has also focused on keeing it simple to set up, and simple to maintain (another type of overhead to consider).
"There is no jukebox daemon that randomly selects songs from the archive"
fwiw, I just let my MP3 player do the shuffle -- I also periodically right-click the play button at the 'top' of my collection and save everything in one big playlist file, and I open that into my player & shuffle. Quite handy, actually.
"The code is closed source and the author refuses to let you hack it for personal use"
That's true. Perhaps we should save the GPL debate for another thread?;) I'm doing my best to run the project as professionally as possible -- there's lots of documentation, I answer loads of support questions, and IMHO GPL isn't right for me.
Sites can do their best to anticpate heavy load, but off-the-map events like 9/11 tend to reveal weaknesses in systems (which potentially can be elsewhere in the network). Also, it's pretty expensive to engineer to contantly be ready for such rare occurances.
Slashdot Mirror
Don't forget that the exact same ISPs that are now biatching about the subpoenas agreed to them when they sat down and hammered out the terms of the DMCA.
That was part of the 'safe harbor' deal that protects ISPs from being held accountable for how their subscribers might violate copyright.
The tricky part is that the original terms dictated that it generally applied to HTTP/FTP sites hosted on ISP servers, whereas the P2P apps are on home-bound PCs routed through the ISP.
To put it another way, imagine that your PC running Kazaa were co-located at an ISP. Giving up that name is essentially what they agreed to do.
Personally, I don't think there's much difference between my PC here and my PC co-located at an ISP.
However, this 'fast-track' subpoena process does seem highly problematic -- just don't forget that these very ISPs agreed to it in order to shift the legal burden from themselves to their customers (ie: you).
From Stanford:
"Fair use is a copyright principle based on the belief that the public is entitled to freely use portions of copyrighted materials for purposes of commentary and criticism. For example, if you wish to criticize a novelist, you should have the freedom to quote a portion of the novelist's work without asking permission. Absent this freedom, copyright owners could stifle any negative comments about their work."
So, for example, my inclusion of that quote makes use of 'fair use'.
Perhaps (Dollars != Influence) but certainly (Dollars >> Influence)
That doesn't necessarily mean bribing politicians -- it could mean paying for busses to transport people, paying to print flyers, and so on.
Try this in your robots.txt file:
User-agent: *
Disallow: /
It's safe to assume that having millions puts you in a better position to influence government.
Though P2P and GPL seem to be the battle cry, it's worth considering the potential of those systems to generate a new round of millionares who can, in turn, influence government.
It seems to me that the general disregard for copyright as applied to music serves only to weaken copyright as applied to GPL.
It seems the message should be encouraging Creative Commons and GPL for those that choose that route, and respect for those that don't.
The typical "RIAA vs. freedom" spin turns a blind eye to all the small independents that also sell their work, and not just musicians, but software developers and so on.
I make software for playing music over the Web (Andromeda) and I'd like the RIAA to make it clear whether it's ok for me to let my mom listen to my music via Andromeda, but when the EFF seems to endorse copying music, it feels like they must also endorse copying software.
Furthermore, the typical "compulsory" models offered as replacement to the current system seem to require everybody's PCs to report back to a central agency with a running record of what files are consumed -- and that seems like just the sort of thing the EFF should be PROTECTING us from.
Each CD in the Bookshelf series costs about $100 and includes roughly five books.
It seems that the same demand for unbundled, non-DRM'd MP3 files should apply to e-books as well.
Just another 2 cents...
I think people choose Andromeda because they like how it works, how it looks, that it's easy to set up and maintain, that there's loads of docs on the site, and that I personally answer each and every email.
I'm also trying to help promote some users that welcome public traffic: check out the spotlight.
Hey thanks -- it goes without saying that /. is generally a tough crowd not always so kind to independent programmers trying to earn a living (the misinterpretation of Stallman's ideas often goes unchecked).
In any case, each and every purchase is genuinely appreciated, and each and every purchase makes a difference.
With ID3 tags, I actually suggest running a dedicated app for that. Some of them can even check audio fingerprints and do a lookup. Tag & Rename seems to be a popular choice, and I'm sure other folks have their favorites too. As for track numbers, you can turn on fileCount via preferences.
I'm also happy to help out via email -- try it!
-Scott
I also just put up a doc with OS X tips including info about configuring it to serve directly from your iTunes folder, as well as configuring it to serve M4A and M4P files, like those from the iTunes Music Store...
-Scott
What If The Hulk Had Killed Wolverine ?
What If Daredevil Had Killed The Kingpin ?
What If The Punisher Became An Agent Of S.H.I.E.L.D. ?
What If New York Had Become Ka-Zar's Savage Land ... Forever ?
I live in NYC, and I most of my wireless stuff gets a little flakey at times.
I have an old PC ("the server") that has my music collection and is wired to my stereo, and wired to my LAN.
I mostly work on a wi-fi laptop.
I use remote desktop software to control what's playing on the server. That way, no matter where I am, I can control what's on the stereo, using any audio source available to the server (whether it's my software or services like Rhapsody or other Web sites or Internet radio).
You can use pretty much any remote software, such as WinXP's Remote Desktop or PCAnywhere or VNC (I have some notes about that here).
Next, you could also make that same server-based collection available for playback over your LAN -- and even out over the Internet (if you have enough upstream bandwidth).
Andromeda lets you do that, provided you're running a Web server that can do PHP or ASP.
That all might sound complicated, but it's not, and it's really convenient.
My 2c, -Scott
Sorry if that was too much of a self-serving plug.
There's no reason why you couldn't do the same with video files.
btw, I made Andromeda and if you're interested in trying this sort of thing, please let me know...
Shift did a story on my MP3 software Andromeda>. Derek Martin, the reporter, spent a huge amount of time back-and-forthing with me via email. Nice guys, too bad...
I make software that turns collections of MP3 files into streaming web sites. I've got lots of bands, but I've recently been looking for "spoken word" type content - dramas would be SO cool! If at all interested, check out Andromeda and get in touch! -Scott
Not exactly the same thing, but you might take a look at Andromeda which (along with Apache/PHP) lets you stream your MP3/OGG/etc collection. I made Andromeda, so sorry about the self-plug, but I do have a bunch of OS X'ers running it. Also, I do charge for Andromeda (it's my job). Anyways, I hope you check it out... -Scott
It's $20/month for 200MB, no set up and the first month is free. I know about them because their service works with Andromeda.
They're good guys.
It's mostly used by people who want to remotely play their MP3 collection, and also by bands and other organizations that want to share their files.
-Scott
In fact, you'll see that the post immediately above yours is asking for me to add a 'universal search' to Andromeda - there isn't one now, and I don't intend for there to be one, as that's not what it's about.
Most people use Andromeda to access their own collections remotely over the network.
Independent bands also use it to share their files.
There are indeed legitmate uses for making files available over the network, and that's what I've been trying to do all along.
Please let me suggest my app, Andromeda, which uses the web. I do ask that people pay for the software, but I've put years of work into it, and I think you'll find it to be a good thing.
-Scott
If the load feels too large on your 133mhz/32mb box, Andromeda might not be right for you. My spare 'server' is an old 200mhz laptop, and it feels just fine to me. fwiw, much of Andromeda's design has also focused on keeing it simple to set up, and simple to maintain (another type of overhead to consider).
"There is no jukebox daemon that randomly selects songs from the archive"
fwiw, I just let my MP3 player do the shuffle -- I also periodically right-click the play button at the 'top' of my collection and save everything in one big playlist file, and I open that into my player & shuffle. Quite handy, actually.
"The code is closed source and the author refuses to let you hack it for personal use"
That's true. Perhaps we should save the GPL debate for another thread? ;) I'm doing my best to run the project as professionally as possible -- there's lots of documentation, I answer loads of support questions, and IMHO GPL isn't right for me.
-Scott
Sites can do their best to anticpate heavy load, but off-the-map events like 9/11 tend to reveal weaknesses in systems (which potentially can be elsewhere in the network). Also, it's pretty expensive to engineer to contantly be ready for such rare occurances.