Why, exactly? Not that making a bundle is a bad thing - I'd love to as well - but, I mean, what's so terrible about both adults in the household earning a salary? He didn't say, or even insinuate, that it's a universally terrible thing. Most likely just his preference. I'd like to make enough money so that my wife didn't have to work as well. And that's not a bad thing.
I was confused by that too. Apparently, though, Packard Bell has a fairly respected name in Europe - selling computers, wireless networking equipment, audio players, and tv applications(?) - at least, according to wikipedia.
I totally agree with this. Even most of indie labels are partially (and indirectly) controlled by their distributor which is, more often than not, owned by a major. The indies basically become a springboard for bands to get to the majors.
Last.fm (albeit a UK company) had a great post on their http://blog.last.fm/blog [last.fm] as to why they are not supporting this, even though many of their users are in the UK.
Basically, the users of these services are suffering today all due to this. And the stations are shifting blame to legislation (as always - and probably justifiably so). I agree it's a drag that these charges are doubling in such a short time -- but at the same time, this has been a reality outside of the US for years.
I agree that the SoundExchange deal is pretty ridiculous. I think it should all go through BMI/SESAC/ASCAP like normal radio royalty distribution - since it makes sense, and right bands get their (not quite) fair share. Anyone heard why this isn't the case?
It feels effing FAST. I'm a Mac user at home, and use Camino primarily. I've felt for a while that FF's bloat has affected its performance (as most of you have, I'm sure). I put safari for Windows (XP) on my D600 @ work and it really feels quicker. But those extra pixels at the top are strange. I almost wish that the visual interface wasn't built to look like a Cocoa/Aqua app. I wouldn't mind it having the same layout and all - but it'd be great if it blended with my Windows skin... except Apple's not going to let any "foreign" users of their software forget that it's an apple product.
That's the thing though; radio never actually infringed on the rights of these musicians as their label/distributor/management were permissive of broadcasting. I'd argue that radio broadcasting isn't a form of distribution (conceptually) in the same way p2p is.
You also have to remember that radio has been a player with the music industry since the 40s (and earlier). It's ingrained into the American musical culture and has a history of playing a big role in the industry.
File-sharing is relatively new and also added the bonus incentive of "physically" possessing the music in much higher quality than one can get from hitting record on their tape deck.
...that's how they're different. But I also think that it is that difference that makes this ridiculous. And what will this do to college/university radio stations? I was heavily involved in my school's station and now that I am on staff at the college, still take an interest in what they're doing. It just seems kind of... evil. But then, what do we expect from the RIAA?
You're obviously utterly missing what's innovative about Apple's stuff. It's not that they have the latest and greatest tech
This is exactly right. Innovation is not the same as putting the latest/bestest hardware into your device. The usability, visual appeal, physical design... hell even the marketing is what makes Apple innovative. Not to mention comparing what the iPhone will be able to do with what current "smart phones" can.
when was wma ever not marginalized? i mean, other than it being the default ripping standard in WM and the companies enforcing Win-DRM, who intentionally ripped their audio to wma? Did anyone here do that?
Frankly, even the rabidly fundamentalist anti-evolution junkies are aware that evolution is widely accepted in the scientific community.
It's interesting that Newsweek seems to have posed a question the forces the surveyed to respond to two conclusions (Evolution being supported by evidence and it being widely accepted in the scientific community) with one answer - either agree or disagree. Even more interesting is that people were dumb enough to let them pose a question like that. Having grown up in a fairly conservative Christian culture, I'd say it might be more accurate to say many fundamentalists believe that there are many holes in the theory of evolution but understand it is well-accepted in the scientific community.
The difference between Microsoft and Apple is that Microsoft is mainly a software company (Windows, Office,...) while Apple is mainly a hardware company (Mac's, iPod's) and recently also a multimedia distributor.
This is correct. Apple doesn't try to compete in the software arena. The Mac package (OS, Hardware, design, "ambience") is great for that reason. OSX is great for the very reason that it doesn't try to support every piece of hardware out there. From my perspective of wanting to control what hardware goes into my PC, I had a hard time switching to a Mac. But from the standpoint of user-efficiency, having an OS custom tailored to the exact hardware specs in my machine has been priceless.
Sure, the first two albums were effectively boy band albums but once you get to Rubber Soul and Revolver then they're far, far more than that. It's also difficult from this perspective to understnd the impact of Sgt Pepper, an album you cannot, under any circumstances write off as a 'boy band' album. Suddenly popular music was being treated with respect, reviews in the London Times for example, and the musicians treated as artists.
I think in the 90s Radiohead to a cue from that strategy. Think of how friendly Pablo Honey is. And then, many consider The Bends to be a "perfect" pop album. Sell millions of records, make your label mountains of cash, then go off and do whatever the hell you want on your next records. It's genius.
And I for one am not sad about the demise of the album, because I think it is only dying (if not altogether fading away) in the mainstream market. Those stuck in Top 40 habits are the ones that think singles take priority over the complete album. As a music lover (and amateur rock historian), I will continue to support those excellent musicians that do complete works in the form of a full-length album.
I do agree. Responsibility is not valued highly today -- I still wonder if more and more regulation will cure human disregard. I don't think it will. But arguments go on and on, till we get to the conclusion that something must be done no matter what. And the most proactive solution is what becomes culturally acceptable.
I think the deeper problem rests with us relying on just anyone's "facts" or "science". The more I research this on both sides I still stay a "skeptic" -- though that's highly subjective word on either side. Ignorance and rash belief are what make these sorts of issues emotionally-charged, I believe. I would personally rather be the skeptic who has come to conclusions logically (I mean - if this is real science, global warming's apparent causes can never come to true "consensus" in a real scientific community lest it cease being just that) than believing the hype blindly. If I'm wrong, awesome. I'll admit it and move on (just because I don't think global warming is real doesn't mean I am not responsible with resources, etc.).
probably the opposite of what you said. I mean, since 20-25 years ago the mantra was Global Cooling, with the same lobbyists that are chanting "global warming" today in power. Locking Americans into spending more on energy they are using less of (cha-ching!) seems like a very self-sacrificing agenda to me. Especially when the lobbyist's wallets keep getting fatter. As soon as they say "it's for the earth!" it doesn't matter that Americans are losing their rights due to over-regulating. But it's definitely too much to expect that the American populace would turn to being self-responsible isn't it?
Unfortunately Jobs can't just rip the DRM from the entire iTS catalog. If you had read his original call to rid music of DRM, you would see that it's a matter of contractual obligation. The only way iTS can sell 90% (ish) of their music is to have DRM inflicted upon it. This is not necessarily Apple's fault. If Apple started selling their music DRM-free, the catalogs would be pulled by the labels. And then you have no music. That was the point of his original message.
I'm glad to Yahoo!, who actually has a great promotions team in their music dept., voicing their support.
I think what the companies need are some proper business analysts. Free tabs are like grassroots marketing in a way. They get the word out to people who are actively searching for the product. But because, in most cases, the tabs aren't completely accurate, they point directly to your local music supply store or internet site that sells the "official" tab and sheet music books. It doesn't seem like that hard of an idea. But this way, you just make the customer mad, the tabs show up on a usenet group and nothing gets done (in the eyes of the corp.)
It's ridiculous how these media companies think they can run a business.
the other thing we need to remember is that Apple just recently switched over to intel chips that are 64-bit. there wasn't much use for OS X to be fully 64-bit native while stuck on 32-bit architecture. The 64-bit transition is big - it foreshadows that Apple is taking active steps toward manufacturing fully 64-bit systems. Their timing makes much more sense than what we've seen with WinXP. XP probably should've been fully 64-bit capable when the first 64-bit procs and chipsets were releasing, but it took a while. so OS X will be 32/64-bit native when leopard releases. that's pretty great.
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I was confused by that too. Apparently, though, Packard Bell has a fairly respected name in Europe - selling computers, wireless networking equipment, audio players, and tv applications(?) - at least, according to wikipedia.
I totally agree with this. Even most of indie labels are partially (and indirectly) controlled by their distributor which is, more often than not, owned by a major. The indies basically become a springboard for bands to get to the majors.
Basically, the users of these services are suffering today all due to this. And the stations are shifting blame to legislation (as always - and probably justifiably so). I agree it's a drag that these charges are doubling in such a short time -- but at the same time, this has been a reality outside of the US for years.
I agree that the SoundExchange deal is pretty ridiculous. I think it should all go through BMI/SESAC/ASCAP like normal radio royalty distribution - since it makes sense, and right bands get their (not quite) fair share. Anyone heard why this isn't the case?
It feels effing FAST. I'm a Mac user at home, and use Camino primarily. I've felt for a while that FF's bloat has affected its performance (as most of you have, I'm sure). I put safari for Windows (XP) on my D600 @ work and it really feels quicker. But those extra pixels at the top are strange. I almost wish that the visual interface wasn't built to look like a Cocoa/Aqua app. I wouldn't mind it having the same layout and all - but it'd be great if it blended with my Windows skin... except Apple's not going to let any "foreign" users of their software forget that it's an apple product.
You also have to remember that radio has been a player with the music industry since the 40s (and earlier). It's ingrained into the American musical culture and has a history of playing a big role in the industry.
File-sharing is relatively new and also added the bonus incentive of "physically" possessing the music in much higher quality than one can get from hitting record on their tape deck.
...that's how they're different. But I also think that it is that difference that makes this ridiculous. And what will this do to college/university radio stations? I was heavily involved in my school's station and now that I am on staff at the college, still take an interest in what they're doing. It just seems kind of... evil. But then, what do we expect from the RIAA?
Yeah, as long as it doesn't turn out to be the MTV of Web 2.0, this could be awesome.
so pretty much everything they're making on settlements goes right back into paying these court fees. Brilliant!
when was wma ever not marginalized? i mean, other than it being the default ripping standard in WM and the companies enforcing Win-DRM, who intentionally ripped their audio to wma? Did anyone here do that?
wow, sounds like my COM101 class. They had to test you guys on this?
It's interesting that Newsweek seems to have posed a question the forces the surveyed to respond to two conclusions (Evolution being supported by evidence and it being widely accepted in the scientific community) with one answer - either agree or disagree. Even more interesting is that people were dumb enough to let them pose a question like that. Having grown up in a fairly conservative Christian culture, I'd say it might be more accurate to say many fundamentalists believe that there are many holes in the theory of evolution but understand it is well-accepted in the scientific community.
This is correct. Apple doesn't try to compete in the software arena. The Mac package (OS, Hardware, design, "ambience") is great for that reason. OSX is great for the very reason that it doesn't try to support every piece of hardware out there. From my perspective of wanting to control what hardware goes into my PC, I had a hard time switching to a Mac. But from the standpoint of user-efficiency, having an OS custom tailored to the exact hardware specs in my machine has been priceless.
I think in the 90s Radiohead to a cue from that strategy. Think of how friendly Pablo Honey is. And then, many consider The Bends to be a "perfect" pop album. Sell millions of records, make your label mountains of cash, then go off and do whatever the hell you want on your next records. It's genius.
And I for one am not sad about the demise of the album, because I think it is only dying (if not altogether fading away) in the mainstream market. Those stuck in Top 40 habits are the ones that think singles take priority over the complete album. As a music lover (and amateur rock historian), I will continue to support those excellent musicians that do complete works in the form of a full-length album.
I do agree. Responsibility is not valued highly today -- I still wonder if more and more regulation will cure human disregard. I don't think it will. But arguments go on and on, till we get to the conclusion that something must be done no matter what. And the most proactive solution is what becomes culturally acceptable. I think the deeper problem rests with us relying on just anyone's "facts" or "science". The more I research this on both sides I still stay a "skeptic" -- though that's highly subjective word on either side. Ignorance and rash belief are what make these sorts of issues emotionally-charged, I believe. I would personally rather be the skeptic who has come to conclusions logically (I mean - if this is real science, global warming's apparent causes can never come to true "consensus" in a real scientific community lest it cease being just that) than believing the hype blindly. If I'm wrong, awesome. I'll admit it and move on (just because I don't think global warming is real doesn't mean I am not responsible with resources, etc.).
probably the opposite of what you said. I mean, since 20-25 years ago the mantra was Global Cooling, with the same lobbyists that are chanting "global warming" today in power. Locking Americans into spending more on energy they are using less of (cha-ching!) seems like a very self-sacrificing agenda to me. Especially when the lobbyist's wallets keep getting fatter. As soon as they say "it's for the earth!" it doesn't matter that Americans are losing their rights due to over-regulating. But it's definitely too much to expect that the American populace would turn to being self-responsible isn't it?
Unfortunately Jobs can't just rip the DRM from the entire iTS catalog. If you had read his original call to rid music of DRM, you would see that it's a matter of contractual obligation. The only way iTS can sell 90% (ish) of their music is to have DRM inflicted upon it. This is not necessarily Apple's fault. If Apple started selling their music DRM-free, the catalogs would be pulled by the labels. And then you have no music. That was the point of his original message. I'm glad to Yahoo!, who actually has a great promotions team in their music dept., voicing their support.
I think what the companies need are some proper business analysts. Free tabs are like grassroots marketing in a way. They get the word out to people who are actively searching for the product. But because, in most cases, the tabs aren't completely accurate, they point directly to your local music supply store or internet site that sells the "official" tab and sheet music books. It doesn't seem like that hard of an idea. But this way, you just make the customer mad, the tabs show up on a usenet group and nothing gets done (in the eyes of the corp.) It's ridiculous how these media companies think they can run a business.
the other thing we need to remember is that Apple just recently switched over to intel chips that are 64-bit. there wasn't much use for OS X to be fully 64-bit native while stuck on 32-bit architecture. The 64-bit transition is big - it foreshadows that Apple is taking active steps toward manufacturing fully 64-bit systems. Their timing makes much more sense than what we've seen with WinXP. XP probably should've been fully 64-bit capable when the first 64-bit procs and chipsets were releasing, but it took a while. so OS X will be 32/64-bit native when leopard releases. that's pretty great.
"Oh no! We've sold too much music!!! Raise the price and piss people off again!" Idiots.
I'm off windows because of recent problems with the paging file. Stupid system allocation in XP.