Well, there is still a demand for raw resources. You can't just make things out of nothing, so perhaps there could still be some viable business there.
You forget though that every now and then there is a very innovative game which sparks a lot of clones. Take bf1942 for example. EXTREMELY innovative gameplay, and now everybody and their sister is copying it. So while there is a lot of FPS drek out there now, there are certainly a few gems to keep the genre fresh.
One of the issues I see being a BIG deal in the future when we have these is copyright. What if in the future its not just songs and movies you can trade on p2p, but schematics and design plans for a mercedes. You download the file, print it in your molecular 3D printer, and BAM, instant (well, maybe not instant) Mercedes, probably for a fraction of the cost.
If you think its been bad with the RIAA and MPAA going after people, wait until you see GE, GM, Daimler-Chrysler, pharma companies, etc. start to take action when people are duplicating their products for a fraction of the cost without them getting a single cent for it.
I personally think this is great, as it would put many things within reach of people who would never have had a chance of ever being able to afford those things, but the ethical issues are the same as they are today, only perhaps escalated due to the increased value of the things you could duplicate.
Well, the main advantages are actually the flipside to your first two points.
First, it is lossless, so if you want to get your hands on a great quality recording, you need to either get a better bootlegged version, or buy the CD (drives CD sales).
Second, CDRs would be cheaper. I haven't been in the market for a USB drive for a while, so I don't know what prices are like, but I'm really wondering what kind of profit margin they have on them selling the songs for $10 and the drive for $20. Something tells me though that it might be a bigger margin than if they just burned a CDR (or perhaps not, depending on how much they pay for the drives).
So yeah....I guess it COULD be better for the customers, but this is still a really great idea and a cheap way to get a 128MB usb drive while supporting your artists.
" Sounds awful. Most bootleggers (of the legal variety, I do not consort with thieves... erm, yeah) would rather pluck off their own ears than listen to, let alone pay for, a crappy mp3 concert that they had been to live."
Ok, fair enough. Now lets take a look at who they're REALLY targeting this at, because it definitely isn't you, which you seemed to have missed.
MP3 is the most popular audio format for everyday music listening on digital devices from computers to iPods. This is for the mainstream audience who heard the cool show, doesn't want to lug recording equipment around (especially the good expensive stuff), and doesn't particularly care that the quality isn't the best, they are after all used to listening to 128kbit mp3s.
This is a good, fair price, and the drive is even reusable, which makes a once obscure geek gadget a mainstream accessory. I really fail to see how this is a bad idea at all. Sure it isn't for all the diehard audiophile bootleggers out there, but you guys are most certainly the minority.
"I'm not about to turn over even more money for their weak-sounding "live" crap."
Unless of course they played a song which you cannot get anywhere else, period, and still want to make sure the band gets some percentage of the profits.
Take Chicane as an example. Great electronic music group. There was one song performed at their live set at the Palladium called Mojave, which you cannot find ANYWHERE else except in that mix. Don't know why as I think its their best song ever. If I were at their show and heard it, I would purchase the set just for that song.
While I personally think the artists SHOULD get a cut of this, I don't think it would be that bad if they didn't. The main point of this is advertising. You are buying a live recording, and are able to share it with your friends (viral marketing). This gets you to go see more concerts of them, which is where the artists make the REAL money, not by selling their recordings.
Actually, I was kind of shocked they were using UBS drives as well, and thought, god, who would spend that kind of money just to get an mp3?
Then I actually RTFA and saw this:
"At $10 a pop for the recording, and $20 for the reusable, keychain drive, let the downloading begin."
That's a pretty damn good deal for a 128mb USB drive, which supposedly is reusable. Especially if you were able to just buy one once, and then transfer the mp3 of the concert to home, wipe the drive, and use it for the next concert.
I'm sure the money grubbing execs will find some way to make you purchase a new one every time, or jack up the price, but for now, that sounds like an AWESOME deal.
For those who don't get Simoniker's good joke, allow me to explain.
Samir Gupta is a/. personality who makes what seem to be very insightful and informative posts.....if not for the fact that they are completely discredited by his claims of working at Nintendo, which unfortunately he does not (this has been verified). I'm sure if they hired him however, he would make an excellent marketing person.
Perhaps this famous Slashdot troll is not really a troll, but rather one man on a quest to get a job at Nintendo, and pulling a big, illegal, fraudulent stunt to get their attention.
" I guess that in Japan, society is a lot more regimented and order-driven than in the west, and so they'll seek games that are similar."
Interesting point. But I would offer that they do actually like things that aren't order-driven. A lot of japanese anime focuses on a person who gets tossed into a situation where they have no idea what to do, and they have to figure it out. And I wouldn't be saying that if it wasn't such a stereotyped plot, its ridiculous.
Perhaps, they would prefer a game which didn't make it seem like someone was rating them on how they did (ie. points, score, etc). A pure simulation, but as crazy as they wanted.
This is the banner blocking message I get when I use Opera. Interesting to note is the link to an Ask Slashdot article at the very bottom.
"Banner Blocking Detected
You have been brought to this page because it was detected that your web browser, software on your computer or some other event is preventing some or all of our banner ads from being displayed on our pages correctly. If you are not using a utility to block banners, you may have been inadvertently brought here because a banner image did not load correctly. Please make sure you have enabled images and disable any ad blocking software then try again.
If you sincerely want a banner free experience on our site and are willing to help support our efforts directly, we do offer a paid subscription option. This option is especially useful for educators who would like to use our site in their classroom without the distractions banner ads create.
Banner Blocking Manifesto
We understand that you may find banner advertising annoying. This website, however, is not sponsored or produced by some faceless rich corporation or public entity. This site is the product of the hard labor of one individual and his family. Producing and delivering the content on this site is expensive. If we are to continue to make the resources on this website available to individuals like yourself free of charge, we must be allowed to use banner advertising as a means of paying the costs of maintaining this website.
The relationship between the web content provider (in this case us) and the content consumer (you) must be a symbiotic relationship. If small web publishers like us are to continue to be able to provide access to useful information free of charge, we must get something in return. In this case it is the ability to display and earn revenue off of banner advertising.
Kenneth Barbalace
Creator of EnvironmentalChemistry.com
How to Disable Ad Blocking Software
There are scores programs and services on the market that offer banner ad blocking abilities. As such we will only focus on a few of the most common programs.
Symantec Norton Internet Security: If you are using Symantec's "Norton Internet Security" software, banner blocking may have been turned on without your knowledge. You can turn off ad blocking in Symantec NIS by opening Norton Internet Security. In the main window, double-click Ad Blocking and then uncheck "Ad Blocking".
ZoneAlarm Pro firewall: If you are using the firewall ZoneAlarm pro, you can turn off ad blocking under the tab "Privacy" and then slide the "Ad Blocking" control to the off position.
AdSubtract: If you ar using AdSubtract, right mouse click on the AdSubtract icon in your task tray (looks like an orange circle with a plus and minus sign) and select "Disable AdSubtract".
WebWasher: If you are using WebWasher, right mouse click on the WebWasher icon in your task tray (looks like a blue circle with a white "W" and then select "Deactivate standard filter".
This is really great that a lot of children who might not be able to afford laptops are getting them free. Computers offer great educational opportunities.
That being said, I would want the option to have some of the textbooks in book form still.
There really is something to be said for being able to flip through a book, or highlighting text and writing notes in the margins. Also, you don't need a charged battery to read a book, nor do you have to treat it as delicately as a computer. Also, while this is somewhat hypocritical because of how much I read on the computer everyday....I still wouldn't want to have to read a history book on the computer. Certain types of text are just easier on the eyes to read in a book. Short little sections would be fine on the computer, but not the longer stuff.
That is only partly true. Sure it helped, but MP3 brought audio compression itself to a whole new level. Don't assume that music was the ONLY reason for the MP3 format to be used so widely. Many other types of audio recordings benefit from it, especially ones where audio quality isn't the most important factor and file size is.
I don't see why they have to be involved. MP3 started without them, they were forced to use it. I don't see why another standard couldn't force them to adopt it as well.
Let everybody NOT associated with them set the new standard, and if it catches on, they will have no choice but to adopt it.
And I have absolutely no problem with this. I do not purchase nor listen to music from labels affiliated with the RIAA. They can die off for all I care.
I would like to take this time to announce an expedition that I will be leading soon. I need 6 good men (and 12 good women) who do not fear death, and who have enough money to fund the trip.
What are we searching for you may wonder? We will be searching for the cross that Jesus was pinned to like a butterfly.
"The most interesting quote in the article is from a record executive stressing that the industry is quietly hoping that the online music stores will start selling songs in compatible formats."
[puts on tinfoil hat] I'm sure they'd love that. The saying from LoTR comes to mind:
One Ring to rule them all One Ring to find them One Ring to bring them all And in the darkness bind them.
I wouldn't mind having compatible formats either, I just don't want the RIAA having absolutely any say in it whatsoever, because they don't exactly have the best track record of making decisions which are beneficial to customers.
Ok, so obviously people assume they are going to outsource their development to India. I didn't RTFA, so I don't know if it was confirmed. But, here's another method of outsourcing development. Take for example what DICE just did with BF1942.
They just brought the whole Desert Combat team on board to produce an official Desert Combat mod. So perhaps they might be outsourcing and getting more of the modding community officially involved, which seems like an infinitely wise move for them. It may not be the best for us because they suck up the best mods/people, but I'm happy the modders can finally get something in return for what they've given us.
Slashdot Mirror
"Hey....I didn't want to go to Wal-Mart!"
That its time for another Fireside Chat Press Release with Darl?
If you think its been bad with the RIAA and MPAA going after people, wait until you see GE, GM, Daimler-Chrysler, pharma companies, etc. start to take action when people are duplicating their products for a fraction of the cost without them getting a single cent for it.
I personally think this is great, as it would put many things within reach of people who would never have had a chance of ever being able to afford those things, but the ethical issues are the same as they are today, only perhaps escalated due to the increased value of the things you could duplicate.
Does it really matter though? They still got the credit for offering 100 million, and that PR is all that matters.
First, it is lossless, so if you want to get your hands on a great quality recording, you need to either get a better bootlegged version, or buy the CD (drives CD sales).
Second, CDRs would be cheaper. I haven't been in the market for a USB drive for a while, so I don't know what prices are like, but I'm really wondering what kind of profit margin they have on them selling the songs for $10 and the drive for $20. Something tells me though that it might be a bigger margin than if they just burned a CDR (or perhaps not, depending on how much they pay for the drives).
So yeah....I guess it COULD be better for the customers, but this is still a really great idea and a cheap way to get a 128MB usb drive while supporting your artists.
Ok, fair enough. Now lets take a look at who they're REALLY targeting this at, because it definitely isn't you, which you seemed to have missed.
MP3 is the most popular audio format for everyday music listening on digital devices from computers to iPods. This is for the mainstream audience who heard the cool show, doesn't want to lug recording equipment around (especially the good expensive stuff), and doesn't particularly care that the quality isn't the best, they are after all used to listening to 128kbit mp3s.
This is a good, fair price, and the drive is even reusable, which makes a once obscure geek gadget a mainstream accessory. I really fail to see how this is a bad idea at all. Sure it isn't for all the diehard audiophile bootleggers out there, but you guys are most certainly the minority.
Unless of course they played a song which you cannot get anywhere else, period, and still want to make sure the band gets some percentage of the profits.
Take Chicane as an example. Great electronic music group. There was one song performed at their live set at the Palladium called Mojave, which you cannot find ANYWHERE else except in that mix. Don't know why as I think its their best song ever. If I were at their show and heard it, I would purchase the set just for that song.
Then I actually RTFA and saw this:
"At $10 a pop for the recording, and $20 for the reusable, keychain drive, let the downloading begin."
That's a pretty damn good deal for a 128mb USB drive, which supposedly is reusable. Especially if you were able to just buy one once, and then transfer the mp3 of the concert to home, wipe the drive, and use it for the next concert.
I'm sure the money grubbing execs will find some way to make you purchase a new one every time, or jack up the price, but for now, that sounds like an AWESOME deal.
Samir Gupta is a /. personality who makes what seem to be very insightful and informative posts.....if not for the fact that they are completely discredited by his claims of working at Nintendo, which unfortunately he does not (this has been verified). I'm sure if they hired him however, he would make an excellent marketing person.
Perhaps this famous Slashdot troll is not really a troll, but rather one man on a quest to get a job at Nintendo, and pulling a big, illegal, fraudulent stunt to get their attention.
Interesting point. But I would offer that they do actually like things that aren't order-driven. A lot of japanese anime focuses on a person who gets tossed into a situation where they have no idea what to do, and they have to figure it out. And I wouldn't be saying that if it wasn't such a stereotyped plot, its ridiculous.
Perhaps, they would prefer a game which didn't make it seem like someone was rating them on how they did (ie. points, score, etc). A pure simulation, but as crazy as they wanted.
"Banner Blocking Detected You have been brought to this page because it was detected that your web browser, software on your computer or some other event is preventing some or all of our banner ads from being displayed on our pages correctly. If you are not using a utility to block banners, you may have been inadvertently brought here because a banner image did not load correctly. Please make sure you have enabled images and disable any ad blocking software then try again.
If you sincerely want a banner free experience on our site and are willing to help support our efforts directly, we do offer a paid subscription option. This option is especially useful for educators who would like to use our site in their classroom without the distractions banner ads create.
Banner Blocking Manifesto
We understand that you may find banner advertising annoying. This website, however, is not sponsored or produced by some faceless rich corporation or public entity. This site is the product of the hard labor of one individual and his family. Producing and delivering the content on this site is expensive. If we are to continue to make the resources on this website available to individuals like yourself free of charge, we must be allowed to use banner advertising as a means of paying the costs of maintaining this website.
The relationship between the web content provider (in this case us) and the content consumer (you) must be a symbiotic relationship. If small web publishers like us are to continue to be able to provide access to useful information free of charge, we must get something in return. In this case it is the ability to display and earn revenue off of banner advertising.
Kenneth Barbalace
Creator of EnvironmentalChemistry.com
How to Disable Ad Blocking Software
There are scores programs and services on the market that offer banner ad blocking abilities. As such we will only focus on a few of the most common programs.
Symantec Norton Internet Security: If you are using Symantec's "Norton Internet Security" software, banner blocking may have been turned on without your knowledge. You can turn off ad blocking in Symantec NIS by opening Norton Internet Security. In the main window, double-click Ad Blocking and then uncheck "Ad Blocking".
ZoneAlarm Pro firewall: If you are using the firewall ZoneAlarm pro, you can turn off ad blocking under the tab "Privacy" and then slide the "Ad Blocking" control to the off position.
AdSubtract: If you ar using AdSubtract, right mouse click on the AdSubtract icon in your task tray (looks like an orange circle with a plus and minus sign) and select "Disable AdSubtract".
WebWasher: If you are using WebWasher, right mouse click on the WebWasher icon in your task tray (looks like a blue circle with a white "W" and then select "Deactivate standard filter".
Related Resources TechTV - Rage Against the Ad-Blocking Machines
"Ask SlashDot" article
Steal this Site"
Just think, we could Slashdot the Playboy Mansion!
Heh, and the FDA thought it was bad that we had genetically engineered neon zebra fish. Heh, those suckers ain't seen nothing yet.
That being said, I would want the option to have some of the textbooks in book form still.
There really is something to be said for being able to flip through a book, or highlighting text and writing notes in the margins. Also, you don't need a charged battery to read a book, nor do you have to treat it as delicately as a computer. Also, while this is somewhat hypocritical because of how much I read on the computer everyday....I still wouldn't want to have to read a history book on the computer. Certain types of text are just easier on the eyes to read in a book. Short little sections would be fine on the computer, but not the longer stuff.
Let everybody NOT associated with them set the new standard, and if it catches on, they will have no choice but to adopt it.
What are we searching for you may wonder? We will be searching for the cross that Jesus was pinned to like a butterfly.
[puts on tinfoil hat] I'm sure they'd love that. The saying from LoTR comes to mind:
One Ring to rule them all
One Ring to find them
One Ring to bring them all
And in the darkness bind them.
I wouldn't mind having compatible formats either, I just don't want the RIAA having absolutely any say in it whatsoever, because they don't exactly have the best track record of making decisions which are beneficial to customers.
They just brought the whole Desert Combat team on board to produce an official Desert Combat mod. So perhaps they might be outsourcing and getting more of the modding community officially involved, which seems like an infinitely wise move for them. It may not be the best for us because they suck up the best mods/people, but I'm happy the modders can finally get something in return for what they've given us.