Best Buy *does* own its own label, Redline Entertainment. One of their more notable artists is Prince, whose latest CD, Rainbow Children, has gotten incredible billing in Best Buy store signage and in-store TV ads. Why does this matter? If I recall correctly, Prince was something of a proponent of services like Napster while also something of a detractor of the RIAA. His pick of Redline for the new album seems to indicate an opinion that that particular label is more decent than the rest.
Now its parent company is joining up with the fair use rights abusers.
A second thing to note here is that Best Buy is a fairly powerful presence. Their CD and software sales represent something significant both to consumers and professionals. Their recent decision axing Mac software and peripherals gives many developers pause in producing Mac ports for games, simply noting how few consumers will have access to store shelves containing their product without Best Buy support.
The point here being, a giant like Best Buy is setting a standard for fellow retailers. Musicland, Sam Goody, and Suncoast all are part of the Best Buy enterprise and represent a considerable slice of the pie for any consumers. Sure, you can buy your music elsewhere, but with BBY, SG, and ML comprising the easiest sources, where else can we go?
Let's also not forget just how expansionist Best Buy is. They acquire chains and build new stores the way the rest of us shave and eat breakfast each morning. I imagine the latest portion of their retail arm, Canada's Future Shop, will also be supporting "anti-piracy" measures.
Having had DARE thrown at me a few times over my elementary school years, I can tell you with some certainty that DARE was a waste of my time and possibly someone else's money.
Sitting around listening to a cop tell you of the evils inherent to drugs is hardly a deterrent for someone who's really going to grow up and be an addict. Besides, cheap little workbooks and water bottles don't help the drug problem; caring, educating parents help the drug problem.
Health classes were better than DARE. And more fun. They taught us the different slang names for drugs. Which was cool.
My DARE guy was nice, though. Usually we asked him more about all the law-enforcement equipment he carried around with him than about the drugs he came to talk about.
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A few interesting things to note, here...
Best Buy *does* own its own label, Redline Entertainment. One of their more notable artists is Prince, whose latest CD, Rainbow Children, has gotten incredible billing in Best Buy store signage and in-store TV ads. Why does this matter? If I recall correctly, Prince was something of a proponent of services like Napster while also something of a detractor of the RIAA. His pick of Redline for the new album seems to indicate an opinion that that particular label is more decent than the rest.
Now its parent company is joining up with the fair use rights abusers.
A second thing to note here is that Best Buy is a fairly powerful presence. Their CD and software sales represent something significant both to consumers and professionals. Their recent decision axing Mac software and peripherals gives many developers pause in producing Mac ports for games, simply noting how few consumers will have access to store shelves containing their product without Best Buy support.
The point here being, a giant like Best Buy is setting a standard for fellow retailers. Musicland, Sam Goody, and Suncoast all are part of the Best Buy enterprise and represent a considerable slice of the pie for any consumers. Sure, you can buy your music elsewhere, but with BBY, SG, and ML comprising the easiest sources, where else can we go?
Let's also not forget just how expansionist Best Buy is. They acquire chains and build new stores the way the rest of us shave and eat breakfast each morning. I imagine the latest portion of their retail arm, Canada's Future Shop, will also be supporting "anti-piracy" measures.
Big news, here, folks.
Having had DARE thrown at me a few times over my elementary school years, I can tell you with some certainty that DARE was a waste of my time and possibly someone else's money.
Sitting around listening to a cop tell you of the evils inherent to drugs is hardly a deterrent for someone who's really going to grow up and be an addict. Besides, cheap little workbooks and water bottles don't help the drug problem; caring, educating parents help the drug problem.
Health classes were better than DARE. And more fun. They taught us the different slang names for drugs. Which was cool.
My DARE guy was nice, though. Usually we asked him more about all the law-enforcement equipment he carried around with him than about the drugs he came to talk about.