In the UK, MSN run a service which is managed for them by a company called OD2 who also do services for Freeserve and others.
Without researching, I'm guessing they are basically OD2s service with a brand name stuck on. Windows Media, and I presume you can't burn them to normal CDs.
And here's what I'm really wondering...
Did the music industry just not want to deal with Microsoft having seen what they have done to software developers on the Windows platform. Microsoft have taken over markets of people who build software for their operating system instead of running an operating system alone. If the record companies got into bed with Microsoft, would they then have done to them what happened to those other software companies. Would all of a sudden, downloads of non-Microsoft music start breaking, or not work with the next version of the Microsoft service?
I've been wondering about trying to get links between open source developers and MPs.
Many MPs offices have a very low budget and could be a golden opportunity for spreading the word about Open Source software. I could start with mine, but I think that it may need something bigger like an "Open Source Parliamentary Group". It must be cross-party to ensure that continuity can occur after elections.
They do have some budget, so there would be opportunity for small incomes to be made, though.
Can you burn the WMP9 downloaded files to standard audio CD? I'm somehow doubting it as you lose the DRM.
Without that, it's usable on a music player or PC (not hi-fi or car).
I'm going to stick my neck out and reckon that iTunes is going to be the dominant force in music downloads. Personally, when it comes to the EU (rumour - early next year), I'll sign up.
Trouble is, she's Labour - and they rather like legislation - trade unions are keen on it to protect workers, and New Labour are very pro-Big Business (the Tories are much more pro-Medium sized business).
"The momentum is unstoppable at this point," said Scott Handy, vice president of Linux strategy and market development at IBM
Tonight on ITV (1st or 2nd most watched TV channel in the UK) there was an IBM advert all about Linux. Not at peak time, but around 9:30pm (so would have a reasonable audience).
Non-technical people all over the UK are now saying "Lin...what?" (and probably asking geeks what it is).
The 87 is irrelevant on this issue now. This is council of ministers stuff, which I understand to be 1 vote per state.
I imagine the decision will largely be down to horse-trading. The UK government, and probably most others don't give a flying fuck about their software industries. They'll sell out their huge software industries to get a few billion more subsidies for their farmers.
Good point. I nearly didn't write because I'd written to my MP at the start of the week about open source.
But I figured - what if my letter is the one.
Way I see it, you might make a difference if you write. You won't make any if you don't. Even if you don't want to vote, write "you are all bastards" and spoil the paper. At least someone from each party will read it.
The problem with all business legislation is that it hits small businesses who can't absorb it like big ones can. It makes entering the market harder and protects the big boys.
The way software is going, I think I may retrain as a plumber or a lawyer.
I'm running 1.1 experimentallyat work alongside Word (no-one else uses it). When someone sends me a file, I check it out in 1.1.
So far, having run for about a month, I've only had one little issue, and one in which IMO Open Office works better - if a Word document has text in style "Heading 4", which doesn't have numbering, it seemed to add 0.0.0.1 to the start of the line. But, the text was really a document title, so had been "styled" wrong in Word.
There is already a limit on resources...the land available to build roads.
You may want to build more roads on the limited land availabe, I do not - you do not have the right to have your needs satisfied without others being considered on a public resource.
The reason why new roads create extra congestion (no, it's not fashion) is that people are more prepared to travel further to work if the distance can be covered quicker, transport companies can deliver further in less time, and it may also increase the people who decide to own a car as their car journey may become more convenient than a train journey.
Personally, I think there's a good balance to be reached between personal transport (foot/bike), public transport and cars. At the moment, we are using cars too much and would be better trying to get more public transport.
I just thought that saying "except Anchor Steam and a few others" would deaden the impact.
I have tried Anchor Steam which is quite easily available in the UK and very good. I haven't seen any others though.
In fact, most beer sold in the UK is garbage - quality European lager names used to sell piss. Although finding good beer is not at all difficult because of the huge number of breweries here.
For American Beer
on
Skittlebrau
·
· Score: 4, Funny
I find the best thing is to pour it straight down the toilet and avoid the middle man.
If you want to talk about old mainframe systems, a financial company I used to work for had a system running that was developed in the late 60s in assembler. Still running.
I think it's important to remember that things like support and documentation are where OSS developers get their income.
You want a company to build a solution, release the source, have a salesman visit, give you a product brochure and write a load of nice user-friendly documentation, all for free? Where's the company's income?
I need to go out and actually buy some of Red Hat's stuff, some day when I'm not unemployed.
That's a good attitude to take.
I'm not flush at the moment (in work, but not well paid). I like to give something less tangible back to the Open Source community, like helping Mozilla users out with bugs.
Slashdot Mirror
Bottom line is that a whole heap of people will use iTunes over Kazaa because it's more reliable (and hence quicker) and they can feel guilt-free.
Without researching, I'm guessing they are basically OD2s service with a brand name stuck on. Windows Media, and I presume you can't burn them to normal CDs.
And here's what I'm really wondering...
Did the music industry just not want to deal with Microsoft having seen what they have done to software developers on the Windows platform. Microsoft have taken over markets of people who build software for their operating system instead of running an operating system alone. If the record companies got into bed with Microsoft, would they then have done to them what happened to those other software companies. Would all of a sudden, downloads of non-Microsoft music start breaking, or not work with the next version of the Microsoft service?
Just a thought.
Many MPs offices have a very low budget and could be a golden opportunity for spreading the word about Open Source software. I could start with mine, but I think that it may need something bigger like an "Open Source Parliamentary Group". It must be cross-party to ensure that continuity can occur after elections.
They do have some budget, so there would be opportunity for small incomes to be made, though.
Try faxyourmp.com. I think you can also send an email to their name @parliament.uk, but I'm not sure of the format.
Without that, it's usable on a music player or PC (not hi-fi or car).
I'm going to stick my neck out and reckon that iTunes is going to be the dominant force in music downloads. Personally, when it comes to the EU (rumour - early next year), I'll sign up.
Trouble is, she's Labour - and they rather like legislation - trade unions are keen on it to protect workers, and New Labour are very pro-Big Business (the Tories are much more pro-Medium sized business).
I think it's quite a clever way of saying "we want Linux" (if you said that, it could probably be contested as uncompetitive).
Tonight on ITV (1st or 2nd most watched TV channel in the UK) there was an IBM advert all about Linux. Not at peak time, but around 9:30pm (so would have a reasonable audience).
Non-technical people all over the UK are now saying "Lin...what?" (and probably asking geeks what it is).
I imagine the decision will largely be down to horse-trading. The UK government, and probably most others don't give a flying fuck about their software industries. They'll sell out their huge software industries to get a few billion more subsidies for their farmers.
Write to your MP!
But I figured - what if my letter is the one.
Way I see it, you might make a difference if you write. You won't make any if you don't. Even if you don't want to vote, write "you are all bastards" and spoil the paper. At least someone from each party will read it.
The way software is going, I think I may retrain as a plumber or a lawyer.
So far, having run for about a month, I've only had one little issue, and one in which IMO Open Office works better - if a Word document has text in style "Heading 4", which doesn't have numbering, it seemed to add 0.0.0.1 to the start of the line. But, the text was really a document title, so had been "styled" wrong in Word.
Personally, I think it's a good step - anyone who thinks they can't run with Linux because of hardware incompatibility will be more tempted.
Once hardware manufacturers realise that Linux is serious, maybe we'll see more device drivers written by the manufacturers.
Here's hoping we don't get the old dollar-to-pound conversion (and get it for .99 euros instead).
And that if they win, are they seriously going to get $2 billion or whatever?
This guy's doing a lot of unpaid, favourable work for SCO.
You may want to build more roads on the limited land availabe, I do not - you do not have the right to have your needs satisfied without others being considered on a public resource.
The reason why new roads create extra congestion (no, it's not fashion) is that people are more prepared to travel further to work if the distance can be covered quicker, transport companies can deliver further in less time, and it may also increase the people who decide to own a car as their car journey may become more convenient than a train journey.
Personally, I think there's a good balance to be reached between personal transport (foot/bike), public transport and cars. At the moment, we are using cars too much and would be better trying to get more public transport.
I just thought that saying "except Anchor Steam and a few others" would deaden the impact.
I have tried Anchor Steam which is quite easily available in the UK and very good. I haven't seen any others though.
In fact, most beer sold in the UK is garbage - quality European lager names used to sell piss. Although finding good beer is not at all difficult because of the huge number of breweries here.
I find the best thing is to pour it straight down the toilet and avoid the middle man.
If you want to talk about old mainframe systems, a financial company I used to work for had a system running that was developed in the late 60s in assembler. Still running.
You want a company to build a solution, release the source, have a salesman visit, give you a product brochure and write a load of nice user-friendly documentation, all for free? Where's the company's income?
A website, built by me for a member of parliament comprising a bizarre mix of Frontpage and PHP.
That's a good attitude to take.
I'm not flush at the moment (in work, but not well paid). I like to give something less tangible back to the Open Source community, like helping Mozilla users out with bugs.
You'd be aligned with Cuba, Iran and Libya.