After reading the posts made by fellow slashdot contributers in this thread, I'm really appalled.
What's your problem? Why are you reacting so defensively? What the ridicule of the EU?
Stand back, and look at the situation logically: the root DNS servers are all in the US. These underpin the internet as we know it. Now, at the best of times it's a bad idea to put all of your eggs into one basket. What happens if a terrorist attack takes out communications in the US? Or what happens if you suddenly adopt a China-like xenophobia (i.e. like what's happening in this thread already)? The internet for everyone else'd be pretty fooked, right?
Invention. No one man or organisation "invented" the internet. Yes, a lot of the underlying networking was developed by Americans. Parts of the topology were developed in Europe. The browser/WWW were was developed by Europeans. If you go further back, the microprocessor was "invented" by an Englishman. If you really want to stretch is, the language we're using now was a collarorative effort between half of Europe and Scandinavia (including those who's later settle US/Australia).
Likening to the meridian time: unlike the core DNS servers, each region runs their own accepted time. There are atomic clocks in UK, Japan, Paris and various other places. Yes, the zero-point is in Greenwich, but the world doesn't rely on the Greenwich clock working to tell their time. So the analogy is redundant.
Really, I'd expect more from my American friends here. This reaction is stereotypical of the mindset of current US administration, something that general/. users try and distance the "average American" from. Trying and failing, if this thread is anything to go by.
It's nice to see that the BBC are going ahead with a pioneering distribution method, but I'm not sure this it the right way.
I can't see how distributing huge DRM-infected files, using bandwidth from the BBC's own servers, that then destroys itself in 7 days is efficient use of resources. Add to that the obvious cost of the delivery technology from Microsoft and we're looking at a potential waste of money.
Of all media organisations, the BBC are in the best place to lead the way with the use of open source technology and "risk" the use of unencrypted files.
Heck, it's easy enough for them to charge those outside of the UK for it too, by offering a proportional "license fee" to them. That would have the added benefit of helping ex-pats too.
Nah, you'd almost think they're prefer people to buy the track online. Then on CD. Then on DVD. Then all over again after they've digitally remastered it.
> Oh yeah, and anyone robbing you at gun/knifepoint doesn't give two shits about the > data on the usb drive, they care about how much it'll be worth - which when shit > gets nuclear - not much once the batteries start running out.
I don't think they'd wait for that to rob you. I mean, you'd be carrying it around all the time, not just when the shit has hit the fan.
It's plain to see for anyone: the labels control the "traditional" distribution method for music, and built their business around that.
Now, Apple essentially controls the digital distribution method for music - putting them in exactly the position the labels were in.
Now that the labels think they've stopped file sharing, they're just going to go back to abusing their existing monopoly to f*** us around again. This being the first step.
Back in the day of their trusty old DeathStars, IBM ensured that in order to receive a warranty replacement you had to send the drive to their warehouse in Netherlands. Fine, that's £10 in postage, right? Oh no, this is IBM. Standard package post won't do. No, they require you to use their suggested delivery partner, DHL.
So given the option of sending IBM a drive worth £50, and paying postage of £70, I decided to go with the new drive option. As did the rest of IBM's customers, I guess.
It's not the policital stance of Fox News I'm parodying, it's their level of reporting. You know, the way they dumb everything down, and what isn't dumbed down is either factually incorrect or just plain made up.
Fox aren't the only ones (all US news networks we get here in the UK are bad), but they're the worst offenders.
>a) Number of channels included will be >the minimum available to all.
(i.e. 5, the analogue-terrestrial channels)
>b) It'll be "VHS quality" recording.
(i.e. the lowest bitrate they can get away with)
As you were there, what did you think of the devices? I love the whole idea in general, especially if they're designed to interface with cheap NAS boxes..
I'm approaching the problem the wrong way.
Sounds like the box just records the entire stream coming to the DTV tuner.
The article mentions "EPG" - the "Electronic Program Guide" - the term used pretty much exclusively here to mean the "Freeview" digital-terrestrial service's program guide.
So they'll just record the entire stream before it hits the tuner.
Then run the output through the tuner when you want to see it.
That way they don't need 100s of tuners, either.
I've no idea of the current dtv bandwidth, but the plan here is to eventually cut analogue TV out completely and use the spectrum to broadcast further dtv channels (including HD content).
As this sounds like pure marketing, we can make some assumptions:
a) Number of channels included will be the minimum available to all. b) It'll be "VHS quality" recording.
There are 5 terrestial TV channels in UK: BBC1 BBC2 ITV (commercial) Channel 4 (commercial) Channel 5 (commercial)
We've about 50 via digital TV, and loads more via cable or satellite.
However there are only 5 available right now.
So, that's 5 channels * 24hrs * 28 days = 3360 hours of recording.
Lets assume a VCD bitrate of 1300kbit/s video 128kbit/s. Total 1428kbit/s.
Number of seconds in 3360 hours = (3360*60)*60 = 12,096,000
So, for all that video we'll need = 1428 * 12,096,000 = 17,273,088,000 kbit = 17,687,642,112,000 bits = 2,210,955,264,000 bytes = 2,159,136,000 kilobyte = 2,108,531 megabytes = 2,059 gigabytes
So that's like 4 * 500gb drives plus 1 * 120gb drive to correct for the drive maker's marketing departments.
I'm using VCD/MPEG as a basis for this, they'll invariably be using a better codec, probably with far stronger compression.
As discussed many times on Slashdot, the FSF projects for a free Flash replacement and free Java replacement is a pretty good cause. Details here: http://www.fsf.org/news/free-java-and-flash.html
That, or look long term and put it towards protecting our rights: so the EFF get it.
These comments are made purely because good old Hilary has finally seen what a number here have noticed: Apple's potential to cut the RIAA members "out of the loop".
iPod's a market leader, as is iTunes. They RIAA have finally noticed that Apple own both the hardware and the portal to their customers - so what exactly do they need the RIAA for? "Content" - RIAA are just brokers for the market - marketing? Apple own the portal, they can push whatever they want to push....
Long term Apple can kill the RIAA, and that's her motivation.
Dave C. Didiot recently posted a junkie.com rant trashing the recreational drugs industry, predicting a complete market-meltdown in the near future. Titled 'Herbal Viagra: End of Drugs?', he claims that 'recreational drugs have hardly changed since I smoked my first spliff in the 60s.' From the article: "The business is going to attempt to sustain growth and creativity by making junkies buy hard and harder hits. Junkies have always been sustained by never-ending reductions in sensory perceptaion and increase highs. But once we get totally out of our minds, what is going to sustain growth?"
Slashdot Mirror
After reading the posts made by fellow slashdot contributers in this thread, I'm really appalled.
/. users try and distance the "average American" from. Trying and failing, if this thread is anything to go by.
What's your problem? Why are you reacting so defensively? What the ridicule of the EU?
Stand back, and look at the situation logically: the root DNS servers are all in the US. These underpin the internet as we know it. Now, at the best of times it's a bad idea to put all of your eggs into one basket. What happens if a terrorist attack takes out communications in the US? Or what happens if you suddenly adopt a China-like xenophobia (i.e. like what's happening in this thread already)? The internet for everyone else'd be pretty fooked, right?
Invention. No one man or organisation "invented" the internet. Yes, a lot of the underlying networking was developed by Americans. Parts of the topology were developed in Europe. The browser/WWW were was developed by Europeans. If you go further back, the microprocessor was "invented" by an Englishman. If you really want to stretch is, the language we're using now was a collarorative effort between half of Europe and Scandinavia (including those who's later settle US/Australia).
Likening to the meridian time: unlike the core DNS servers, each region runs their own accepted time. There are atomic clocks in UK, Japan, Paris and various other places. Yes, the zero-point is in Greenwich, but the world doesn't rely on the Greenwich clock working to tell their time. So the analogy is redundant.
Really, I'd expect more from my American friends here. This reaction is stereotypical of the mindset of current US administration, something that general
It's nice to see that the BBC are going ahead with a pioneering distribution method, but I'm not sure this it the right way.
I can't see how distributing huge DRM-infected files, using bandwidth from the BBC's own servers, that then destroys itself in 7 days is efficient use of resources. Add to that the obvious cost of the delivery technology from Microsoft and we're looking at a potential waste of money.
Of all media organisations, the BBC are in the best place to lead the way with the use of open source technology and "risk" the use of unencrypted files.
Heck, it's easy enough for them to charge those outside of the UK for it too, by offering a proportional "license fee" to them. That would have the added benefit of helping ex-pats too.
Quite simple, really. It's all the RIAA members care about (cocaine and hookers excluded).
(and no, the cat hasn't got my tounge, I've got both a body and a subject).
To be honest, in Sony the right hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing, let alone what the left hand is up to.
Witness the huge number of completely different and incompatible memory card formats Sony keep making.
Nah, you'd almost think they're prefer people to buy the track online. Then on CD. Then on DVD. Then all over again after they've digitally remastered it.
Hmmm..
> Oh yeah, and anyone robbing you at gun/knifepoint doesn't give two shits about the
> data on the usb drive, they care about how much it'll be worth - which when shit
> gets nuclear - not much once the batteries start running out.
I don't think they'd wait for that to rob you. I mean, you'd be carrying it around all the time, not just when the shit has hit the fan.
Mod parent up.
It's plain to see for anyone: the labels control the "traditional" distribution method for music, and built their business around that.
Now, Apple essentially controls the digital distribution method for music - putting them in exactly the position the labels were in.
Now that the labels think they've stopped file sharing, they're just going to go back to abusing their existing monopoly to f*** us around again. This being the first step.
Think of the trees. ;)
Ahh, that's the old "IBM" trick.
Back in the day of their trusty old DeathStars, IBM ensured that in order to receive a warranty replacement you had to send the drive to their warehouse in Netherlands. Fine, that's £10 in postage, right? Oh no, this is IBM. Standard package post won't do. No, they require you to use their suggested delivery partner, DHL.
So given the option of sending IBM a drive worth £50, and paying postage of £70, I decided to go with the new drive option. As did the rest of IBM's customers, I guess.
It's not the policital stance of Fox News I'm parodying, it's their level of reporting. You know, the way they dumb everything down, and what isn't dumbed down is either factually incorrect or just plain made up.
Fox aren't the only ones (all US news networks we get here in the UK are bad), but they're the worst offenders.
Maybe I'm just being spoilt by the BBC.
..and they missed the best fantasy show of them all.
Cars should come with audio-in jacks (optical, 3.5mm) and USB2 connections.
Both standards. Non of this silly BMW business of putting custom iPod connectors into their cars.
USB is especially nice as it can also be used to power USB-powered devices such as PDAs and sat navs.
It's not all a sob story though.
VCR and DVD created a much larger market than there was with just cinema.
Life for the studios has never been better.
>What you haven't factored in:
I did say I made these assumptions:
>a) Number of channels included will be
>the minimum available to all.
(i.e. 5, the analogue-terrestrial channels)
>b) It'll be "VHS quality" recording.
(i.e. the lowest bitrate they can get away with)
As you were there, what did you think of the devices? I love the whole idea in general, especially if they're designed to interface with cheap NAS boxes..
I'm approaching the problem the wrong way. Sounds like the box just records the entire stream coming to the DTV tuner. The article mentions "EPG" - the "Electronic Program Guide" - the term used pretty much exclusively here to mean the "Freeview" digital-terrestrial service's program guide. So they'll just record the entire stream before it hits the tuner. Then run the output through the tuner when you want to see it. That way they don't need 100s of tuners, either. I've no idea of the current dtv bandwidth, but the plan here is to eventually cut analogue TV out completely and use the spectrum to broadcast further dtv channels (including HD content).
As this sounds like pure marketing, we can make some assumptions:
a) Number of channels included will be the minimum available to all.
b) It'll be "VHS quality" recording.
There are 5 terrestial TV channels in UK:
BBC1
BBC2
ITV (commercial)
Channel 4 (commercial)
Channel 5 (commercial)
We've about 50 via digital TV, and loads more via cable or satellite.
However there are only 5 available right now.
So, that's 5 channels * 24hrs * 28 days = 3360 hours of recording.
Lets assume a VCD bitrate of 1300kbit/s video 128kbit/s. Total 1428kbit/s.
Number of seconds in 3360 hours
= (3360*60)*60
= 12,096,000
So, for all that video we'll need
= 1428 * 12,096,000
= 17,273,088,000 kbit
= 17,687,642,112,000 bits
= 2,210,955,264,000 bytes
= 2,159,136,000 kilobyte
= 2,108,531 megabytes
= 2,059 gigabytes
So that's like 4 * 500gb drives plus 1 * 120gb drive to correct for the drive maker's marketing departments.
I'm using VCD/MPEG as a basis for this, they'll invariably be using a better codec, probably with far stronger compression.
Might have invented the internet, but they've obviously not heard of a firewall.
Don't worry, you'll be having a forced upgrade soon unless you're lucky.
:-/
Or fancy spending £70 on the DHL shipping to Netherlands
Well, promotions are usually designed to increase sales..
> I'm not entirely sure why the hon.
> Gentleman saw fit to follow it up
> with a rather long lecture on
> Cumbrian history.
That's simple.
Whilst he's a Jedi at night, he's a born again asshole in during the day.
Like most MPs then.
Japan is a mad consumer economy. Their success relies a lot on their constant upgrading.
This just sounds like a move to boost their economy by having everyone spend more money upgrading their home appliances...
As discussed many times on Slashdot, the FSF projects for a free Flash replacement and free Java replacement is a pretty good cause. Details here: http://www.fsf.org/news/free-java-and-flash.html
That, or look long term and put it towards protecting our rights: so the EFF get it.
Too many people downloaded it from their email boxes.
Downloading isn't all about the www..
The file was emailed, and then forward, forward and forwarded again. As the attachment was huge, it didn't take long to kill the network.
Suffice to say that we've had similar things happen at my company. It's due to lack of user understanding.
These comments are made purely because good old Hilary has finally seen what a number here have noticed: Apple's potential to cut the RIAA members "out of the loop".
iPod's a market leader, as is iTunes. They RIAA have finally noticed that Apple own both the hardware and the portal to their customers - so what exactly do they need the RIAA for? "Content" - RIAA are just brokers for the market - marketing? Apple own the portal, they can push whatever they want to push....
Long term Apple can kill the RIAA, and that's her motivation.
Dave C. Didiot recently posted a junkie.com rant trashing the recreational drugs industry, predicting a complete market-meltdown in the near future. Titled 'Herbal Viagra: End of Drugs?', he claims that 'recreational drugs have hardly changed since I smoked my first spliff in the 60s.' From the article: "The business is going to attempt to sustain growth and creativity by making junkies buy hard and harder hits. Junkies have always been sustained by never-ending reductions in sensory perceptaion and increase highs. But once we get totally out of our minds, what is going to sustain growth?"