H may just be having a bad day, but as high profile as Slashdot is becoming you'd think it wouldn't be too much trouble to run things through a spell checker. Or re-read what they write before posting it. Slashdot is fairly fast moving. Even if errors are corrected, it is already too late, many people have already seen the error.
H: I like your articles. Nice dose of non-linux/geek stuff usually. Please take this as constructive criticism and proofread.
If they use the GNU utils without modifications they aren't violating the license at all. And this has nothing to do with where the programs are available. They may still need to provide source if ask, but they maybe able to just direct people to somewhere the source is already available (I'm not sure about this though). If they actually had to modify the source to build it, then they do need to provide the modified source of GPL'ed code if asked.
Now if they actually used the linux kernel or parts of it and had to modify it. They do need to provide the source for that. Even if it is never incorperated into the main kernel. Sorry Microworkz(sp?) this is the nature of the GPL.
If they just used the GNU utilies, they are miss using the linux name. And me thinks I hear RMS starting up some GNU advocacy. Maybe iToaster/GNU.:)
Voluntary Socialism. That sounds a little better. I was going to mention socialism in my earlier post, but it's been many years since I've studied this stuff and didn't want to say something that was wrong.
Yet I still don't think that is right. OSS projects are accomplished through a community of people. And it is often volunteer work. But we aren't trying to run a country here or do many of the other things that governments have to do. We are just working together on a common goal. Much like a community working together to to build a shelter, or fixing a community building up, or sand bagging a broken levee. Sure they could have just raised the money and had Moe's construction do the work for them. But why, when they can do it themselves for less money and better quality? Yet these people aren't accused of being communists or socialists. Why? Because they aren't. Doing these things for the community have little to do with how the community is governed.
I agree. I think the other guy was comparing Dictatorship and Democracy. These things are different from Communism and Capitalism.
I do disagree that the means of production is the source code. The means of production is the computer and a compiler. The source code is the blueprint, the design. The difference between traditional production and software production is that many people have access to the means of production. In traditional production very few own/have access to the machinery and plants to produce items.
In the industrial age there were limited means of production. The people that controled those means became powerful in both capitalistic and communistic countries. As the computer age continues almost everybody has access to the means of production. This is why the community idea is able to produce a viable product in the computer age.
There are many differences between the community of open source software and communism, but some of the same basic principles are similar.
I agree with you. My original post was an impulse post. I was going on what I had seen a couple years ago. I know longer read usenet on a frequent basis. I quit largely because of all the noise. And that was before the spam got really bad.
Unrestricted trial accounts are Evil. Deja news does at least make you go through an extra step of verifing with another e-mail account before you can e-mail or post from there. Not much of check, but it is better than nothing. I only hope they aren't content with that and are looking for a better checking system.
I think aol has improved their image some, here recently. So I don't wish a UDP on them, but I hope it cause them to evaluate some of their processes, including restricted trial acounts (other than a time limit) and user education.
I wasn't speaking about spammers, but the metoo-type posters. I stopped using usenet before the spam was that bad, because of all the noise from worthless/offtopic/etc posts.
Hopefully the threat alone will cause AOL to make some changes. I know it's not the company itself, it's the users, but since they know they have the largest base of newbies they should do something.
What is that something? How about forcing users to take a quiz on netiquette that they must pass before given the ability to post. Even just a major effort to educate their users would be a step in the right direction. Most ISPs don't have to worry about this, but AOL isn't most ISPs.
You totally missed the point of what he was saying with that line. He could have just as easily used any p.c. persecuted group (gays, blacks, hispanics, jews, etc.) and said the same thing.
Telling someone to just shutup and take it like a man just because that is the way it has always been isn't the answer.
Maybe it is an effort to clear out all the little ISPs. They won't be able to afford to spend the time and money blocking every offensive site, and pay for the lawsuits/fines when one slips through. Only the major ISPs will be able to withstand this.
Does Telstra (the Aussie Telco) provide ISP services? Do they have the power and money AT&T used to have in the states? Maybe they are funding this in an attempt to become the one and only Austrailian ISP.
Think about it. It is nearly impossible to block every site with questionable materal. So every ISP could get sued. First the little guys will end up going out of business, then the larger ones will start feeling the heat. Eventually Austrailia will be without internet access because nobody can afford to block every naughty site out there.
Sounds like a case of shooting one's self in the foot. Pretty sad for country that has had a major presence on the internet for as long as I've known.
Re:SLASHDOT (GPL, LGPL, BSD, or TM?) Project? (#2)
on
Slashdot Notes
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· Score: 1
I said Perl hackers, because Slash is written in perl(from my understanding) and I was speaking about minor changes. But some python, XML/XSL, Java, etc. additions could be cool if they fit into the equation well. A Slash DTD could be pretty sweet. All the other Weblogs(?) would be jealous.:)
If you can convince Rob to CVS the source let me know. I've asked about it before, but that was some time ago.
Re:SLASHDOT (GPL, LGPL, BSD, or TM?) Project? (#2)
on
Slashdot Notes
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· Score: 1
Putting the slash engine into a CVS repository would kick ass, and save Rob some e-mail from people asking for it. If you look in Slash Code you will see the last update was Jan 15, 1999. We all know there has been quite a few changes since then.
The code is GPL see FAQ Question 27(What about the source code to this site?). Rob has put it under the GPL and is a supporter of Open Source/Free Software, why not set up a CVS? Even if Rob is the only one with write access we could send patchs in.
I'm sure Rob thinks of Slash as his baby (I know I would), but this is the Open Source Community. Why isn't our (probably) biggest forum's source open to us all? I'm sure Rob is busy, but putting it in CVS and letting a few good perl hackers fix some of the minor things, would probably free up some time for him.
Like the other guy said do you still have the message?
If I remember my studies of IP, once something is in the public domain you can not remove it from the public domain. This would give anyone wanting the information a legal leg to stand on. But IANAL.
Yeah right, unions look out for the best interest of members. They are usually just as evil as the companies. They have become as much an establishment as companies. It is in their best interest to keep employees unhappy so the employees think they are getting their moneys-worth when the union negotiates for an extra role of TP in the john. Not all unions are bad, but they are not the great wonderful things they are in the history books. Even then I bet there was plenty of skimming of the dues.
Fair distribution of profits? I don't want this myself. If I work my ass off why should some leach get as much money as me? I do negotiate my share of the companies profits. It's called my salary. And if I don't think I am getting my worth I can demand more or go somewhere else.
The Companies profitabilty? I want them to make tons of money. If they are making tons of money and I had something to do with it I can justify why I deserve that huge ass raise. And as I said before the way the market is if they don't want to compensate me there are companies that will.
No I may not get my way, but I have yet to feel any backlash for stating my opinion. I question when I don't get my way, but I realize I can't always win. You have to "Play nice with others" no matter what you do. You work for a company you have to get along with your co-workers and management. You own your own business you have to get along with employees and customers. You work with an Free/Open Software group you'll get more done if you work with other developers. Aguements are good and help groups come to the best solutions, but you have to be willing to compromise.
Back to unions because I've had another thought. Do you really want to work for a company that you had to force to treat you as a useful part of the organization? Or a company that already realizes how important good employees are? Now this is just a guess, but I think most people would be happier working for the second organization.
I don't know if you'v had a job or just work in the wrong places. But I've found I get rewarded more/better because I am individualistic. Sure they would look at me funny if I came in with green hair tomorrow, but my bosses have recongized I think differently then most of the drones. I voice my opinions. I speek up in meetings. I do good work to back up my words. I question my bosses. I don't sit idlely by. And I have been rewarded for all that, not crushed as you seem to think I would be.
Every where I have worked they seem to prefer people that think for themselves. The way the market is in our industry I don't think I can lose. If I don't agree with the company I am working for, and I can't change their minds, I can change jobs, just like that. They don't have power over me. They have to work to keep me.
This all comes back to stereotyping. If you want people to value your opinion when you talk about geeks being badly stereotyped don't go stereotyping other groups in the process. maynard and you are showeing me your almost as bad as the people you are down talking. I've known good and bad people in every organization I've ever been involved with. Good Frat guys/Bad frat guys. Good Jocks/Bad Jocks. Good geeks/Bad geeks. Simply because you were not in a fraternity doesn't make you any better, any more than my living in a fraternity makes me any better.
A lot of Fraternities and individuals do a lot to perpetrate the stereotype of Alcoholic Preppy Assholes. The media also only covers the problems and sensational things. They don't tell you about some Joe Smoe that stayed in school thanks to his house and help from members.
I thought several friends and other guys might become alcoholics. Now that we have been out of college for several years, I don't know a single one that has continued down that path. Some have quit drinking, all have learned alcohol shouldn't be a way of life. I also knew guys in fraternities that didn't drink at all.
Of course I went to a school that was practically all engineers. Most of the houses were pretty good. I've heard stories about how bad fraterities are on other campus, but I have to think that there are other good schools and even good fraternities on campus were most are crappy.
I also know A LOT of people that lived in the dorms that fit your description of a typical fraternity guy. In fact I thought in many cases the dorms could be worse. Take alcohol for instance. In a dorm there is always some guys that will buy alcohol without question. In a good fraternity a person (underage or not) usually has somebody to take care of him if he gets a little stupid or drinks too much. I've seen and heard cases where if a kid does this in a dorm they are simply ignored. Who wants to take care of a drunk person they barely(or don't) know?
I've put people to bed, checked on them late into the night, and check with them the next day. I also had friends do this for me. No these aren't actions that are only found in a fraternity and in some frats they aren't found, but of mine and many others that I know do a lot to encourage this.
Besides that, the point of these articles isn't to glorify the killers. The articles are not even really about the killers. They are about the abuse geeks/nerds/freeks/individuals are receiving in high school. The first one about the aftermath, how it got worse for kids thanks to those that hate non-conformists using the colorado killings as a battle cry in their witch hunt. The second just points out how this has long been a problem and is more likely the real problem for kids rather then the evil internet, or evil games, etc.
Yes, sometimes fraternities are the havens of the popular/abusive kids from high school. They are not all bad. Some are the havens of the geeks and nerds. Some are filled with just your average Joe's.
I was a anti-social geek in HS, but thanks to my house I learned I wasn't alone, even before I discovered the internet. We had some jocks, some rich kids, some geeks, but mostly we were average guys. While I was rush chairman I even recruited a few guys that could be considered freaks. While we had a few close-minded members question it, once we got them to actually meet the new guys they realized these guys were intellegent human beings underneath the mohawks and ratty clothes.
A fraternity is what the members make of it. It can be evil, it can be an animal house, it can be just a house, or it can be a place where you fit in. (damn that sounds like a commercial). I just wanted to remind you that stereotypes, while sometimes grounded in reality, don't fit in some or many cases.
People always say this, but I haven't heard too many cases of the suing being done. Companies just want somebody to blame when things don't work. And somebody to pay extra money to when they need a new feature rather then doing it themselves.
I like to call this the bitch factor. Basically they want the other companies to bitch at when things don't work rather then being able to fix it themselves. It easier to say to their customers "sorry we can't do that because our 3rd party vendor doesn't support it." Which is a cop-out(sp?). Customers don't care they just want something that works.
If I remember my psych classes, where we talk about the chemical reactions in the brain and how drugs work chemically, the way that _most_ drugs work isn't all that different. It is easier to get to the same level of 'high' and sustain it with drugs. Many drugs boost the production of certain naturally created chemicals in the brain. And the 'high' actually comes from these chemicals rather then the drug you are taking. So it is possible to get the same highs naturally, but not as easy. Once again as far as I can remember.
Slashdot volunteers don't need to fill out paperwork or provide a minimum number of hours of work. The work they do benefits the community. It is more of a side effect that it benefits slashdot. He could have left all the chaos alone.
If Rob proceeds where his says he will, with less restrictions on who can be a moderater, moderating becomes part of the service. The line blurs. How do you tell whether it is job-related or volunteer work.
Besides aren't these comments ours? This one mine, yours belongs to you. We are a community moderating our own discussions. Rob merely provides the forum and topics. Moderation is just another form of participation in the community. And it would suck if some one told me how I can and can't participate in a community of my choosing.
If you continue to follow their logic then isn't all of our comments and discussions a value added to slashdot. I don't think I should be compensated for being allowed to post to slashdot forums.
I don't like the idea of censorship, but I also don't think you can fault Wal-Mart or MTV. They are privately owned companies. They have the freedom to sell/show what they choose.
If I owned a record store I wouldn't want people coming in and saying I had to have copies of the album XYZ by Holier Than Thou because I sell album ABC by CrakHoSmakrs. Come on. If you like a large selection of music, you probably don't shop at Wal-Mart or watch much MTV already.
You can't even use the excuse that it's the only store in a small town anymore. Thanks to the internet you can order CD's over the web and have them home delivered.
Slashdot Mirror
H may just be having a bad day, but as high profile as Slashdot is becoming you'd think it wouldn't be too much trouble to run things through a spell checker. Or re-read what they write before posting it. Slashdot is fairly fast moving. Even if errors are corrected, it is already too late, many people have already seen the error.
H: I like your articles. Nice dose of non-linux/geek stuff usually. Please take this as constructive criticism and proofread.
If they use the GNU utils without modifications they aren't violating the license at all. And this has nothing to do with where the programs are available. They may still need to provide source if ask, but they maybe able to just direct people to somewhere the source is already available (I'm not sure about this though). If they actually had to modify the source to build it, then they do need to provide the modified source of GPL'ed code if asked.
Now if they actually used the linux kernel or parts of it and had to modify it. They do need to provide the source for that. Even if it is never incorperated into the main kernel. Sorry Microworkz(sp?) this is the nature of the GPL.
If they just used the GNU utilies, they are miss using the linux name. And me thinks I hear RMS starting up some GNU advocacy. Maybe iToaster/GNU. :)
Voluntary Socialism. That sounds a little better. I was going to mention socialism in my earlier post, but it's been many years since I've studied this stuff and didn't want to say something that was wrong.
Yet I still don't think that is right. OSS projects are accomplished through a community of people. And it is often volunteer work. But we aren't trying to run a country here or do many of the other things that governments have to do. We are just working together on a common goal. Much like a community working together to to build a shelter, or fixing a community building up, or sand bagging a broken levee. Sure they could have just raised the money and had Moe's construction do the work for them. But why, when they can do it themselves for less money and better quality? Yet these people aren't accused of being communists or socialists. Why? Because they aren't. Doing these things for the community have little to do with how the community is governed.
I agree. I think the other guy was comparing Dictatorship and Democracy. These things are different from Communism and Capitalism.
I do disagree that the means of production is the source code. The means of production is the computer and a compiler. The source code is the blueprint, the design. The difference between traditional production and software production is that many people have access to the means of production. In traditional production very few own/have access to the machinery and plants to produce items.
In the industrial age there were limited means of production. The people that controled those means became powerful in both capitalistic and communistic countries. As the computer age continues almost everybody has access to the means of production. This is why the community idea is able to produce a viable product in the computer age.
There are many differences between the community of open source software and communism, but some of the same basic principles are similar.
I agree with you. My original post was an impulse post. I was going on what I had seen a couple years ago. I know longer read usenet on a frequent basis. I quit largely because of all the noise. And that was before the spam got really bad.
Unrestricted trial accounts are Evil. Deja news does at least make you go through an extra step of verifing with another e-mail account before you can e-mail or post from there. Not much of check, but it is better than nothing. I only hope they aren't content with that and are looking for a better checking system.
I think aol has improved their image some, here recently. So I don't wish a UDP on them, but I hope it cause them to evaluate some of their processes, including restricted trial acounts (other than a time limit) and user education.
I wasn't speaking about spammers, but the metoo-type posters. I stopped using usenet before the spam was that bad, because of all the noise from worthless/offtopic/etc posts.
Hopefully the threat alone will cause AOL to make some changes. I know it's not the company itself, it's the users, but since they know they have the largest base of newbies they should do something.
What is that something? How about forcing users to take a quiz on netiquette that they must pass before given the ability to post. Even just a major effort to educate their users would be a step in the right direction. Most ISPs don't have to worry about this, but AOL isn't most ISPs.
You totally missed the point of what he was saying with that line. He could have just as easily used any p.c. persecuted group (gays, blacks, hispanics, jews, etc.) and said the same thing.
Telling someone to just shutup and take it like a man just because that is the way it has always been isn't the answer.
Maybe it is an effort to clear out all the little ISPs. They won't be able to afford to spend the time and money blocking every offensive site, and pay for the lawsuits/fines when one slips through. Only the major ISPs will be able to withstand this.
Does Telstra (the Aussie Telco) provide ISP services? Do they have the power and money AT&T used to have in the states? Maybe they are funding this in an attempt to become the one and only Austrailian ISP.
BTW, I'm not being serious.
Think about it. It is nearly impossible to block every site with questionable materal. So every ISP could get sued. First the little guys will end up going out of business, then the larger ones will start feeling the heat. Eventually Austrailia will be without internet access because nobody can afford to block every naughty site out there.
Sounds like a case of shooting one's self in the foot. Pretty sad for country that has had a major presence on the internet for as long as I've known.
I said Perl hackers, because Slash is written in perl(from my understanding) and I was speaking about minor changes. But some python, XML/XSL, Java, etc. additions could be cool if they fit into the equation well. A Slash DTD could be pretty sweet. All the other Weblogs(?) would be jealous. :)
If you can convince Rob to CVS the source let me know. I've asked about it before, but that was some time ago.
Putting the slash engine into a CVS repository would kick ass, and save Rob some e-mail from people asking for it. If you look in Slash Code you will see the last update was Jan 15, 1999. We all know there has been quite a few changes since then.
The code is GPL see FAQ Question 27(What about the source code to this site?). Rob has put it under the GPL and is a supporter of Open Source/Free Software, why not set up a CVS? Even if Rob is the only one with write access we could send patchs in.
I'm sure Rob thinks of Slash as his baby (I know I would), but this is the Open Source Community. Why isn't our (probably) biggest forum's source open to us all? I'm sure Rob is busy, but putting it in CVS and letting a few good perl hackers fix some of the minor things, would probably free up some time for him.
Like the other guy said do you still have the message?
If I remember my studies of IP, once something is in the public domain you can not remove it from the public domain. This would give anyone wanting the information a legal leg to stand on. But IANAL.
That's strange, because I have tickets to see it the 23rd at an AMC theater.
Hm that's odd, I thought Microsoft was supposed to have good documentation and support. At least that is what Mindcraft says.
Very strange...
Form a union?
Yeah right, unions look out for the best interest of members. They are usually just as evil as the companies. They have become as much an establishment as companies. It is in their best interest to keep employees unhappy so the employees think they are getting their moneys-worth when the union negotiates for an extra role of TP in the john. Not all unions are bad, but they are not the great wonderful things they are in the history books. Even then I bet there was plenty of skimming of the dues.
Fair distribution of profits? I don't want this myself. If I work my ass off why should some leach get as much money as me? I do negotiate my share of the companies profits. It's called my salary. And if I don't think I am getting my worth I can demand more or go somewhere else.
The Companies profitabilty? I want them to make tons of money. If they are making tons of money and I had something to do with it I can justify why I deserve that huge ass raise. And as I said before the way the market is if they don't want to compensate me there are companies that will.
No I may not get my way, but I have yet to feel any backlash for stating my opinion. I question when I don't get my way, but I realize I can't always win. You have to "Play nice with others" no matter what you do. You work for a company you have to get along with your co-workers and management. You own your own business you have to get along with employees and customers. You work with an Free/Open Software group you'll get more done if you work with other developers. Aguements are good and help groups come to the best solutions, but you have to be willing to compromise.
Back to unions because I've had another thought. Do you really want to work for a company that you had to force to treat you as a useful part of the organization? Or a company that already realizes how important good employees are? Now this is just a guess, but I think most people would be happier working for the second organization.
I don't know if you'v had a job or just work in the wrong places. But I've found I get rewarded more/better because I am individualistic. Sure they would look at me funny if I came in with green hair tomorrow, but my bosses have recongized I think differently then most of the drones. I voice my opinions. I speek up in meetings. I do good work to back up my words. I question my bosses. I don't sit idlely by. And I have been rewarded for all that, not crushed as you seem to think I would be.
Every where I have worked they seem to prefer people that think for themselves. The way the market is in our industry I don't think I can lose. If I don't agree with the company I am working for, and I can't change their minds, I can change jobs, just like that. They don't have power over me. They have to work to keep me.
This all comes back to stereotyping. If you want people to value your opinion when you talk about geeks being badly stereotyped don't go stereotyping other groups in the process. maynard and you are showeing me your almost as bad as the people you are down talking. I've known good and bad people in every organization I've ever been involved with. Good Frat guys/Bad frat guys. Good Jocks/Bad Jocks. Good geeks/Bad geeks. Simply because you were not in a fraternity doesn't make you any better, any more than my living in a fraternity makes me any better.
A lot of Fraternities and individuals do a lot to perpetrate the stereotype of Alcoholic Preppy Assholes. The media also only covers the problems and sensational things. They don't tell you about some Joe Smoe that stayed in school thanks to his house and help from members.
I thought several friends and other guys might become alcoholics. Now that we have been out of college for several years, I don't know a single one that has continued down that path. Some have quit drinking, all have learned alcohol shouldn't be a way of life. I also knew guys in fraternities that didn't drink at all.
Of course I went to a school that was practically all engineers. Most of the houses were pretty good. I've heard stories about how bad fraterities are on other campus, but I have to think that there are other good schools and even good fraternities on campus were most are crappy.
I also know A LOT of people that lived in the dorms that fit your description of a typical fraternity guy. In fact I thought in many cases the dorms could be worse. Take alcohol for instance. In a dorm there is always some guys that will buy alcohol without question. In a good fraternity a person (underage or not) usually has somebody to take care of him if he gets a little stupid or drinks too much. I've seen and heard cases where if a kid does this in a dorm they are simply ignored. Who wants to take care of a drunk person they barely(or don't) know?
I've put people to bed, checked on them late into the night, and check with them the next day. I also had friends do this for me. No these aren't actions that are only found in a fraternity and in some frats they aren't found, but of mine and many others that I know do a lot to encourage this.
Later,
--
Besides that, the point of these articles isn't to glorify the killers. The articles are not even really about the killers. They are about the abuse geeks/nerds/freeks/individuals are receiving in high school. The first one about the aftermath, how it got worse for kids thanks to those that hate non-conformists using the colorado killings as a battle cry in their witch hunt. The second just points out how this has long been a problem and is more likely the real problem for kids rather then the evil internet, or evil games, etc.
Later,
--
Yes, sometimes fraternities are the havens of the popular/abusive kids from high school. They are not all bad. Some are the havens of the geeks and nerds. Some are filled with just your average Joe's.
I was a anti-social geek in HS, but thanks to my house I learned I wasn't alone, even before I discovered the internet. We had some jocks, some rich kids, some geeks, but mostly we were average guys. While I was rush chairman I even recruited a few guys that could be considered freaks. While we had a few close-minded members question it, once we got them to actually meet the new guys they realized these guys were intellegent human beings underneath the mohawks and ratty clothes.
A fraternity is what the members make of it. It can be evil, it can be an animal house, it can be just a house, or it can be a place where you fit in. (damn that sounds like a commercial). I just wanted to remind you that stereotypes, while sometimes grounded in reality, don't fit in some or many cases.
Later,
--
People always say this, but I haven't heard too many cases of the suing being done. Companies just want somebody to blame when things don't work. And somebody to pay extra money to when they need a new feature rather then doing it themselves.
I like to call this the bitch factor. Basically they want the other companies to bitch at when things don't work rather then being able to fix it themselves. It easier to say to their customers "sorry we can't do that because our 3rd party vendor doesn't support it." Which is a cop-out(sp?). Customers don't care they just want something that works.
Later,
Xamot
If I remember my psych classes, where we talk about the chemical reactions in the brain and how drugs work chemically, the way that _most_ drugs work isn't all that different. It is easier to get to the same level of 'high' and sustain it with drugs. Many drugs boost the production of certain naturally created chemicals in the brain. And the 'high' actually comes from these chemicals rather then the drug you are taking. So it is possible to get the same highs naturally, but not as easy. Once again as far as I can remember.
Later,
Xamot
Slashdot volunteers don't need to fill out paperwork or provide a minimum number of hours of work. The work they do benefits the community. It is more of a side effect that it benefits slashdot. He could have left all the chaos alone.
If Rob proceeds where his says he will, with less restrictions on who can be a moderater, moderating becomes part of the service. The line blurs. How do you tell whether it is job-related or volunteer work.
Besides aren't these comments ours? This one mine, yours belongs to you. We are a community moderating our own discussions. Rob merely provides the forum and topics. Moderation is just another form of participation in the community. And it would suck if some one told me how I can and can't participate in a community of my choosing.
If you continue to follow their logic then isn't all of our comments and discussions a value added to slashdot. I don't think I should be compensated for being allowed to post to slashdot forums.
Later,
Xamot
I don't like the idea of censorship, but I also don't think you can fault Wal-Mart or MTV. They are privately owned companies. They have the freedom to sell/show what they choose.
If I owned a record store I wouldn't want people coming in and saying I had to have copies of the album XYZ by Holier Than Thou because I sell album ABC by CrakHoSmakrs. Come on. If you like a large selection of music, you probably don't shop at Wal-Mart or watch much MTV already.
You can't even use the excuse that it's the only store in a small town anymore. Thanks to the internet you can order CD's over the web and have them home delivered.
Later,
Xamot
Anyone else notice there is nothing on everything today?