> For this test, I have activated vnc server > (why need vnc when you have ssh.. who knows..*sigh*)
Um, because you can't use ssh to connect to an existing/running collection of Xserver and Xclients. Sigh.
Inotherwords, you can't use ssh to connect to your Mom's machine in a different city and help figure out why she has trouble using/interacting with Kmail or some other GUI program. But with vncserver + vncviewer, you CAN.
It is annoying, because what would be 1,000 times better for *ix->*ix would be an X protocol "mirrorer" that could take everything off of an already running server and mirror it to a nested Xserver on another machine. This would be many orders of magnitue faster and more accurate than VNC.
Good for you. I tried it under Linux + Firefox 1.5 + Flash and it is broken. How not interesting.
I Emailed them, but I expect:
1) No reply or 2) Some nonsense canned reply that doesn't answer my question or 3) "Must use MS-Windows" or something like that reply
When I click on Play for a song, it pops up the Napster Free Player and never loads the song- the controls are there and act like they work (I can slide the volume control, click on play and it depresses/turns blue, etc), but there is no sound, no video, no ads. I suppose it is using flash, but I have no problems with flash on any other sites.
>Beats me why so many folks think we need special rules and regulations whenever THE INTERNET is involved.
I think part of the problem, at least in the past, is that people that are "working" on the computer appeared to be "working" to their bosses. It is much easier to hide non-work "work" with a computer than it is with the phone, or reading a newspaper.
What it comes down to is that many managers are not focusing on results and productivity. To a degree, if the required work is being done, then "goofing off" shouldn't be as much of a problem. But on the other hand, if the standards were set too low for the position, then the worker SHOULD ask for more work. On the other hand, that is not the responsibility of the worker... that is the responsibility of the manager.
So really, all my babble shows is that real life is more complicated than soundbites.
>Why make a policy that says "you can't read the newspaper at work" when it is easier to just block websites?
Blocking web sites (blacklisting) is a waste of time for everyone. It doesn't work. Whitelisting makes much more sense. People ask for access to legit sites and you add it to your forced proxy. This prevents free-association browsing, but enables you to give access to those who have good reason to go to particular sites (business need). Then set up a location that people can go to and use on their breaks/lunch, etc, that is generally unrestricted, but public.
>I haven't had any problems with WiFi dropping out
Neither have I- never, not even once. I think he is whacked.
>The main reason I bought the nokia is for the screen. It is GREAT.
It is, hands-down, the best screen on any portable device I have ever seen.
>There is currently no alarm on either as well.
Annoying isn't it? I discovered that not only is one not included, I couldn't find one on the net either... I was surprised. On my Treo, "bigclock" rules.... I still think I would rather have PIM first. I will admit, something compatible with Palm PIM file formats would be perfect, since Linux/Win/Mac users could use existing software. Alas, I bet software patents will ruin that, like everything else.
Citrix I haven't tried... but, then, I have no interest in trying to view expensive MS-Windows applications (Citrix is very expensive. MS-Windows server licenses are very expensive. Hardware to support such MS/Citrix servers are very expensive).
VNCviewer, yes.... although slow (it is bit-image, afterall), but it does work.
Since it runs X, remote X would seem to be more feasible.
As a thin-like client, it would be ideal to develop a web-based backend for your applications. Then (theoretically), you can use ANY front end client. And in some environments, the 770 would be ideal for such applications.
I couldn't agree more about the memory. There is just NO EXCUSE for it having only 64MB of RAM at a time when memory is dirt cheap. I addressed that in my review several months ago (http://markadavis.org/770review.pdf). What would an additional 64MB have really cost? $5 more? And it hurts it more than ANYTHING else. And 770 RAM is not expandable, so we are stuck with 64 forever on this hardware. About the only hope is drastically smaller and more efficient code across the OS and applications to make better use of what IS available.
RS-MMC really isn't as much of a limitation as some (including me) thought it would be, since it is compatible with SD (using the included adapter).
No PIM was also a complaint in my review (I think... hard to remember now).
After having used it several months, my chief complaint is still the lack of RAM. With more RAM, it would perform much better and be a much more stable and useful platform.
It is well built, ultra cool, hacker friendly, nice size, great battery, wonderful screen, and affordable. It is certainly much more interesting than most things in it's class... if there is such a class.
Now, if I could just have some way to *easily* convert MPEG2+sound to an appropriate size, aspect, and framerate for the 770 using standard Linux tools......
>Keyboard and IBM-style nipple-mouse instead of a wand and touchscreen.
In a PDA? Well, I can tell you, I *HATE* that damn joystick thing.. talk about uncontrollable. NOTHING is better on a PDA for mouse control than a touch screen. KB? Well, that would be nice. Look for a a thumb-keyboard replacement cover for the 770... I bet it will be made, eventually.
>Foldover format like a Psion 5 - should fit inside a suit inner pocket
You can easily fit the 770 in a suit pocket. I have done it. Fold-over designs, to me, are actually a pain in the *SS, makes it unusable with one hand and harder to use, in general.
>Inbuilt Bluetooth and WiFi
770 has both of those
>Proper POP/IMAP client that handles SSL and StarTLS
Look for 3rd party Email apps to hit the 770. Quite doable.
>office-style apps that read either MS formats or Opendocument
That is going to be a tough one, since both require huge resources.
>web browser than handles AJAX properly
I expect the next maemo update to address that. Probably won't be perfect, though.
>ability to either add a SD card or similar for storage
770 already has an RS-SD card reader, and includes an adapter so you can turn the RS card into a standard SD for plugging into other devices.
>There's at least one MAJOR difference Origami is running some Windows version and Nokia 770 is running (Debian based) Maemo! Open source.
There are two other major differences: The 770 is half the price and is MUCH smaller/lighter/more mobile. If only it had a slightly faster CPU and triple the RAM... Can't have everything!
It doesn't have a hard drive, it uses flash memory of whatever size you like. Yes, it can play mp3/ogg/etc. No, it has no official PIM quite yet. No it is not a cell phone, although it will be an IP/WiFi phone.
>That's the most important reason why to install Server 2003 or XP. Once you start using it [terminal services], it changes the way you work with Windows machines.
Yes, amazing, isn't it? It is what Unix has been doing for over 20 years (X).
At work, I support 120 Linux Xterminals (and 25 printers) with just one 2CPU Linux server (100baseT backbone, 10baseT to terminals). Software cost: $0.
I was going to make the same suggestion. Although it will run fine with 256MB, 512MB would be far better if you are going to use a current distro, like Mandriva 2006.0 + KDE + Lots of higher powered (bigger) applications
"Fool"? Oh my, that lends credibility to your position...
>The relevant sections were already quoted to you, but if you don't trust it, then go find it yourself.
Snips of code, not necessarily in context, and with wildly different possible interpretation, are not proof of anything either way.
>The defining things are that http://allofmp3.com/ is technically legal in Russia.
Nobody in this thread has questioned the legality of allofmp3 to exist in Russia for Russian citizens.
>but probably will not go there as the RIAA would not want to risk it.
Yes, that is an interesting situation the RIAA is faced with.
>Russia is notorious for hosting credit card scams. I took the precaution of generating a temporary card number and still need to personally tell my bank to authorize the transaction. That would be enough to scare away many users.
Looks like using paypal would be even easier and safer, since each transaction has to be approved anyway.
>You are attacking the arguer instead of the argument.
No, no, no... I am not "attacking" anyone.
But yes, it is perfectly valid to question something from unusual sources. Would you trust just any website with some medical info on it as much as a well-known medical journal? Especially when the website or its users have particular interest in the truth being "one way".
I wouldn't trust RIAA saying allofmp3 is illegal anymore than I would trust "museekster" posters saying it IS legal. I would be more inclined to belive a court's interpretation, but I don't think it has been tested yet. So, it is reasonable to assume it is illegal based on common sense and what has and has not been validated as legal or not-legal already.
Certainly, it is a safer assumption. I will admit I was too assertive in other postings, declaring it just "illegal", which I should have qualified it as "probably illegal", or "likely illegal" (in the context of U.S. users). Sorry.
>Web statistics (which are a "reasonable" way to estimate desktop installedbase) show Linux at around 0.5% and Mac at 2%-3% (in line with Apple sales statistics).
I have seen studies showing much higher and much lower. Which to trust? You would have to take hundreds of variables into account to really have a good estimate. Most don't. I try to split the difference and call it somewhere around 3-4% world-wide. Conjecture? Sure! But what else can it be?
I would speculate that you are right, that the majority of Linux users have another OS in the wings. But that doesn't invalidate the potential market. If they have Linux installed and use it regularly, then it is still a market. Most people would prefer support for the platform of their choice, which is very likely Linux, if Linux is installed. I know a whole lot of people that have dual-boot MS-Win/Linux. 100% of they use Linux prefered and MS-Windows only when absolutely required. I don't know any that have Linux also installed but primarily use MS-Windows.
Besides, in the context of non-DRM, non-Lossy music (which is what this thread is supposed to be about), the market potential for such sites is huge, regardless of the platform.
>You just made that up. Evidence please? Try this:
A lot of that site looks just about as "made up" to me...
"Please note - This is in no way a legal advice."
"If they don't have legitimate distribution licenses then they obviously have no right to distribute at any price."
"This subsection does not apply to importation, for the private use of the importer and not for distribution, by any person with respect to no more than one copy or phonorecord of any one work at any one time, or by any person arriving from outside the United States with respect to copies or phonorecords forming part of such person's personal baggage;"
Clearly that is for a few physical albums bought IN THE OTHER COUNTRY. And BROUGHT WITH THEM physically when returning from a trip. And the site uses that as justification in law that it is legal???? HA!
I would hardly call a discussion forum by laypeople on "WWW.MUSEEKSTER.COM", a foriegn site, as a source of reliable interpretation of US and International law. Nor would I consider it "evidence" in support of the legality of the Russian music sites.
Besides if it were clearly legal to use in the US, then there is no way sites like itunes, rhapsody, or napster could exist. Look, I WANT it to be legal, really I do, but based on everything I have seen, I genuinely don't think it is. If someone can prove it is legal, I will be very happy, indeed.
>This is a nice way of saying "Nobody uses Linux at all, except a few wingnuts with wacko political beliefs".
It is true that the desktop use of Linux is small. But, by every reasonable estimate I have seen, world-wide desktop use of Linux is easily larger than that of Apple. So calling it "nobody" is inaccurate.
You are trying to twist what I said. My point is/was:
1) Technically saavy users are aware of the problems/issues with DRM. 2) Technically saavy users typically don't want DRM or lossy encoding. 3) Linux users are, by percentage, are much more saavy than the non-Linux users.
There are a WHOLE LOT more users who are "saavy" using MS-Windows and MacOS combined than there are using Linux. But the RATIO of savvy to non-savvy is MUCH lower.
Using allofmp3.com is illegal in almost every country. They are essentially stealing the music and then charging "customers" for stolen goods.
Wouldn't it be wonderful to just set up a nice website, buy a whole bunch of CD's and DVD's, and then sell copies of them to everyone?
BTW- In their own legal mumbo-jumbo, they practically admit it is illegal to use outside of Russia, right in their FAQ:
" [blah blah blah license this and license that...] The user bears sole responsibility for any use and distribution of all materials received from AllOFMP3.com. This responsibility is dependent on the national legislation in each user's country of residence. The Administration of AllOFMP3.com does not possess information on the laws of each particular country and is not responsible for the actions of foreign users."
Translation: allofmp3 is not illegal in Russia for Russian customers. But we know it is illegal just about everywhere else. We pretend we don't know the laws, and we place the burden on you, the customer, to not do anything illegal (like using our site) if you are outside of Russia. So don't try and blame us for doing anything wrong.
When something seems to good to be true (or "right"), then it probably is...
>Maybe Apple will finally decide to port iTunes to Linux if they see that there's a market.
But that is the problem. Most Linux users are much more saavy and will not tolerate spending money for lossy, DRM-laden music. So there probably is very little market, indeed.
So, the honest Linux users keep:
1) Buying new CD's, and ripping them 2) Listening to old music they already own 3) Reluctantly buying music online in crappy formats and recoding them at a major sound loss 4) Buy nothing and continue to wait for someone to do a music site the right way (lossless, affordable, non-DRM, cross-platform, all labels). 5) Buy non-label music.
Or some combination of the five.
The dishonest Linux users (just like dishonest Mac or Win users) will continue to steal music (and video) no matter what the music (or video) industry does; and the worst ones will continue to make the content available for others to steal.
>I have basically stopped buying music for some time. It seems that noone wants to sell a reasonable selection of mp3/ogg music.
You are so correct.
>CD's are not practical. DRM music has no value to me.
I still buy CD's, but the local stores are carrying less and less selection. And you are not alone in people seeing DRM music as having no value.
>The only places to find mp3/ogg's to buy with a reasonably selection are Russian sites. But I don't quite trust my credit card floating around there.
Yep- they are doing it the "right" way, too bad it is illegal because they are essentially taking money for stolen music. If there were a legal site doing what allofmp3 was doing, my wallet would start draining...
>Good luck. How many labels are going to allow their music to be sold in a DRM-unencumbered format?
Probably none
> I think Allofmp3.com is pretty cross-platform
Cross platform, and illegal as a bonus! (at least outside russia)
It is sad. I am ready, willing, and able, as a Linux user, to spend money on FLAC music from major labels. But they just keep telling us (who expect lossless, non-DRM) that they don't want our money.
Slashdot Mirror
>You may want to look into x11vnc, which will allow
>you to connect to a running X session and view it using VNC
Yep- I already use X11vnc, even at work. It is extremely useful. But VNC can't touch the native X protocol in speed or accuracy.
> For this test, I have activated vnc server
> (why need vnc when you have ssh.. who knows..*sigh*)
Um, because you can't use ssh to connect to an existing/running collection of Xserver and Xclients. Sigh.
Inotherwords, you can't use ssh to connect to your Mom's machine in a different city and help figure out why she has trouble using/interacting with Kmail or some other GUI program. But with vncserver + vncviewer, you CAN.
It is annoying, because what would be 1,000 times better for *ix->*ix would be an X protocol "mirrorer" that could take everything off of an already running server and mirror it to a nested Xserver on another machine. This would be many orders of magnitue faster and more accurate than VNC.
I tried that- made no difference.
Also tried Opera (just for kicks).... it got further... even displays Ads, but still no music. Oh well. Not really worth the effort anyway.
Good for you. I tried it under Linux + Firefox 1.5 + Flash and it is broken. How not interesting.
I Emailed them, but I expect:
1) No reply or
2) Some nonsense canned reply that doesn't answer my question or
3) "Must use MS-Windows" or something like that reply
When I click on Play for a song, it pops up the Napster Free Player and never loads the song- the controls are there and act like they work (I can slide the volume control, click on play and it depresses/turns blue, etc), but there is no sound, no video, no ads. I suppose it is using flash, but I have no problems with flash on any other sites.
>Beats me why so many folks think we need special rules and regulations whenever THE INTERNET is involved.
I think part of the problem, at least in the past, is that people that are "working" on the computer appeared to be "working" to their bosses. It is much easier to hide non-work "work" with a computer than it is with the phone, or reading a newspaper.
What it comes down to is that many managers are not focusing on results and productivity. To a degree, if the required work is being done, then "goofing off" shouldn't be as much of a problem. But on the other hand, if the standards were set too low for the position, then the worker SHOULD ask for more work. On the other hand, that is not the responsibility of the worker... that is the responsibility of the manager.
So really, all my babble shows is that real life is more complicated than soundbites.
>Why make a policy that says "you can't read the newspaper at work" when it is easier to just block websites?
Blocking web sites (blacklisting) is a waste of time for everyone. It doesn't work. Whitelisting makes much more sense. People ask for access to legit sites and you add it to your forced proxy. This prevents free-association browsing, but enables you to give access to those who have good reason to go to particular sites (business need). Then set up a location that people can go to and use on their breaks/lunch, etc, that is generally unrestricted, but public.
>I haven't had any problems with WiFi dropping out
Neither have I- never, not even once. I think he is whacked.
>The main reason I bought the nokia is for the screen. It is GREAT.
It is, hands-down, the best screen on any portable device I have ever seen.
>There is currently no alarm on either as well.
Annoying isn't it? I discovered that not only is one not included, I couldn't find one on the net either... I was surprised. On my Treo, "bigclock" rules.... I still think I would rather have PIM first. I will admit, something compatible with Palm PIM file formats would be perfect, since Linux/Win/Mac users could use existing software. Alas, I bet software patents will ruin that, like everything else.
Citrix I haven't tried... but, then, I have no interest in trying to view expensive MS-Windows applications (Citrix is very expensive. MS-Windows server licenses are very expensive. Hardware to support such MS/Citrix servers are very expensive).
VNCviewer, yes.... although slow (it is bit-image, afterall), but it does work.
Since it runs X, remote X would seem to be more feasible.
As a thin-like client, it would be ideal to develop a web-based backend for your applications. Then (theoretically), you can use ANY front end client. And in some environments, the 770 would be ideal for such applications.
I couldn't agree more about the memory. There is just NO EXCUSE for it having only 64MB of RAM at a time when memory is dirt cheap. I addressed that in my review several months ago (http://markadavis.org/770review.pdf). What would an additional 64MB have really cost? $5 more? And it hurts it more than ANYTHING else. And 770 RAM is not expandable, so we are stuck with 64 forever on this hardware. About the only hope is drastically smaller and more efficient code across the OS and applications to make better use of what IS available.
RS-MMC really isn't as much of a limitation as some (including me) thought it would be, since it is compatible with SD (using the included adapter).
No PIM was also a complaint in my review (I think... hard to remember now).
After having used it several months, my chief complaint is still the lack of RAM. With more RAM, it would perform much better and be a much more stable and useful platform.
It is well built, ultra cool, hacker friendly, nice size, great battery, wonderful screen, and affordable. It is certainly much more interesting than most things in it's class... if there is such a class.
Now, if I could just have some way to *easily* convert MPEG2+sound to an appropriate size, aspect, and framerate for the 770 using standard Linux tools......
Isn't variety wonderful?
>Keyboard and IBM-style nipple-mouse instead of a wand and touchscreen.
In a PDA? Well, I can tell you, I *HATE* that damn joystick thing.. talk about uncontrollable. NOTHING is better on a PDA for mouse control than a touch screen. KB? Well, that would be nice. Look for a a thumb-keyboard replacement cover for the 770... I bet it will be made, eventually.
>Foldover format like a Psion 5 - should fit inside a suit inner pocket
You can easily fit the 770 in a suit pocket. I have done it. Fold-over designs, to me, are actually a pain in the *SS, makes it unusable with one hand and harder to use, in general.
>Inbuilt Bluetooth and WiFi
770 has both of those
>Proper POP/IMAP client that handles SSL and StarTLS
Look for 3rd party Email apps to hit the 770. Quite doable.
>office-style apps that read either MS formats or Opendocument
That is going to be a tough one, since both require huge resources.
>web browser than handles AJAX properly
I expect the next maemo update to address that. Probably won't be perfect, though.
>ability to either add a SD card or similar for storage
770 already has an RS-SD card reader, and includes an adapter so you can turn the RS card into a standard SD for plugging into other devices.
>I would buy a Treo if they worked with Grafitti.
Ah, but it *DOES*, and I have used it for YEARS...
GrfAnywhere.prc
http://www.escande.org/palm/GrfAnywhere/
And Mandriva 2006.0 works best for me. FC5 is "best" only because it is the newest release.
>There's at least one MAJOR difference Origami is running some Windows version and Nokia 770 is running (Debian based) Maemo! Open source.
There are two other major differences: The 770 is half the price and is MUCH smaller/lighter/more mobile. If only it had a slightly faster CPU and triple the RAM... Can't have everything!
My review is here: http://markadavis.org/770review.pdf
It doesn't have a hard drive, it uses flash memory of whatever size you like. Yes, it can play mp3/ogg/etc. No, it has no official PIM quite yet. No it is not a cell phone, although it will be an IP/WiFi phone.
My review is posted at http://markadavis.org/770review.pdf
>That's the most important reason why to install Server 2003 or XP. Once you start using it [terminal services], it changes the way you work with Windows machines.
Yes, amazing, isn't it? It is what Unix has been doing for over 20 years (X).
At work, I support 120 Linux Xterminals (and 25 printers) with just one 2CPU Linux server (100baseT backbone, 10baseT to terminals). Software cost: $0.
I was going to make the same suggestion. Although it will run fine with 256MB, 512MB would be far better if you are going to use a current distro, like Mandriva 2006.0 + KDE + Lots of higher powered (bigger) applications
>Look fool,
"Fool"? Oh my, that lends credibility to your position...
>The relevant sections were already quoted to you, but if you don't trust it, then go find it yourself.
Snips of code, not necessarily in context, and with wildly different possible interpretation, are not proof of anything either way.
>The defining things are that http://allofmp3.com/ is technically legal in Russia.
Nobody in this thread has questioned the legality of allofmp3 to exist in Russia for Russian citizens.
>but probably will not go there as the RIAA would not want to risk it.
Yes, that is an interesting situation the RIAA is faced with.
>Russia is notorious for hosting credit card scams. I took the precaution of generating a temporary card number and still need to personally tell my bank to authorize the transaction. That would be enough to scare away many users.
Looks like using paypal would be even easier and safer, since each transaction has to be approved anyway.
>You are attacking the arguer instead of the argument.
No, no, no... I am not "attacking" anyone.
But yes, it is perfectly valid to question something from unusual sources. Would you trust just any website with some medical info on it as much as a well-known medical journal? Especially when the website or its users have particular interest in the truth being "one way".
I wouldn't trust RIAA saying allofmp3 is illegal anymore than I would trust "museekster" posters saying it IS legal. I would be more inclined to belive a court's interpretation, but I don't think it has been tested yet. So, it is reasonable to assume it is illegal based on common sense and what has and has not been validated as legal or not-legal already.
Certainly, it is a safer assumption. I will admit I was too assertive in other postings, declaring it just "illegal", which I should have qualified it as "probably illegal", or "likely illegal" (in the context of U.S. users). Sorry.
>Web statistics (which are a "reasonable" way to estimate desktop installedbase) show Linux at around 0.5% and Mac at 2%-3% (in line with Apple sales statistics).
I have seen studies showing much higher and much lower. Which to trust? You would have to take hundreds of variables into account to really have a good estimate. Most don't. I try to split the difference and call it somewhere around 3-4% world-wide. Conjecture? Sure! But what else can it be?
I would speculate that you are right, that the majority of Linux users have another OS in the wings. But that doesn't invalidate the potential market. If they have Linux installed and use it regularly, then it is still a market. Most people would prefer support for the platform of their choice, which is very likely Linux, if Linux is installed. I know a whole lot of people that have dual-boot MS-Win/Linux. 100% of they use Linux prefered and MS-Windows only when absolutely required. I don't know any that have Linux also installed but primarily use MS-Windows.
Besides, in the context of non-DRM, non-Lossy music (which is what this thread is supposed to be about), the market potential for such sites is huge, regardless of the platform.
>You just made that up. Evidence please? Try this:
A lot of that site looks just about as "made up" to me...
"Please note - This is in no way a legal advice."
"If they don't have legitimate distribution licenses then they obviously have no right to distribute at any price."
"This subsection does not apply to importation, for the private use of the importer and not for distribution, by any person with respect to no more than one copy or phonorecord of any one work at any one time, or by any person arriving from outside the United States with respect to copies or phonorecords forming part of such person's personal baggage;"
Clearly that is for a few physical albums bought IN THE OTHER COUNTRY. And BROUGHT WITH THEM physically when returning from a trip. And the site uses that as justification in law that it is legal???? HA!
I would hardly call a discussion forum by laypeople on "WWW.MUSEEKSTER.COM", a foriegn site, as a source of reliable interpretation of US and International law. Nor would I consider it "evidence" in support of the legality of the Russian music sites.
Besides if it were clearly legal to use in the US, then there is no way sites like itunes, rhapsody, or napster could exist. Look, I WANT it to be legal, really I do, but based on everything I have seen, I genuinely don't think it is. If someone can prove it is legal, I will be very happy, indeed.
>This is a nice way of saying "Nobody uses Linux at all, except a few wingnuts with wacko political beliefs".
It is true that the desktop use of Linux is small. But, by every reasonable estimate I have seen, world-wide desktop use of Linux is easily larger than that of Apple. So calling it "nobody" is inaccurate.
You are trying to twist what I said. My point is/was:
1) Technically saavy users are aware of the problems/issues with DRM.
2) Technically saavy users typically don't want DRM or lossy encoding.
3) Linux users are, by percentage, are much more saavy than the non-Linux users.
There are a WHOLE LOT more users who are "saavy" using MS-Windows and MacOS combined than there are using Linux. But the RATIO of savvy to non-savvy is MUCH lower.
Using allofmp3.com is illegal in almost every country. They are essentially stealing the music and then charging "customers" for stolen goods.
Wouldn't it be wonderful to just set up a nice website, buy a whole bunch of CD's and DVD's, and then sell copies of them to everyone?
BTW- In their own legal mumbo-jumbo, they practically admit it is illegal to use outside of Russia, right in their FAQ:
" [blah blah blah license this and license that...] The user bears sole responsibility for any use and distribution of all materials received from AllOFMP3.com. This responsibility is dependent on the national legislation in each user's country of residence. The Administration of AllOFMP3.com does not possess information on the laws of each particular country and is not responsible for the actions of foreign users."
Translation: allofmp3 is not illegal in Russia for Russian customers. But we know it is illegal just about everywhere else. We pretend we don't know the laws, and we place the burden on you, the customer, to not do anything illegal (like using our site) if you are outside of Russia. So don't try and blame us for doing anything wrong.
When something seems to good to be true (or "right"), then it probably is...
>Maybe Apple will finally decide to port iTunes to Linux if they see that there's a market.
But that is the problem. Most Linux users are much more saavy and will not tolerate spending money for lossy, DRM-laden music. So there probably is very little market, indeed.
So, the honest Linux users keep:
1) Buying new CD's, and ripping them
2) Listening to old music they already own
3) Reluctantly buying music online in crappy formats and recoding them at a major sound loss
4) Buy nothing and continue to wait for someone to do a music site the right way (lossless, affordable, non-DRM, cross-platform, all labels).
5) Buy non-label music.
Or some combination of the five.
The dishonest Linux users (just like dishonest Mac or Win users) will continue to steal music (and video) no matter what the music (or video) industry does; and the worst ones will continue to make the content available for others to steal.
>I have basically stopped buying music for some time. It seems that noone wants to sell a reasonable selection of mp3/ogg music.
You are so correct.
>CD's are not practical. DRM music has no value to me.
I still buy CD's, but the local stores are carrying less and less selection. And you are not alone in people seeing DRM music as having no value.
>The only places to find mp3/ogg's to buy with a reasonably selection are Russian sites. But I don't quite trust my credit card floating around there.
Yep- they are doing it the "right" way, too bad it is illegal because they are essentially taking money for stolen music. If there were a legal site doing what allofmp3 was doing, my wallet would start draining...
>Good luck. How many labels are going to allow their music to be sold in a DRM-unencumbered format?
Probably none
> I think Allofmp3.com is pretty cross-platform
Cross platform, and illegal as a bonus! (at least outside russia)
It is sad. I am ready, willing, and able, as a Linux user, to spend money on FLAC music from major labels. But they just keep telling us (who expect lossless, non-DRM) that they don't want our money.