Next, DRM in our cameras so that we cannot photograph copyrighted works, buildings, billboards, whatever? I've been a Canon camera fan for a long time, but I think my next D-SLR will be a Nikon.
This was the subject of a Star Trek Voyager episode some 10 or so years ago, sub-orbital free-fall sky diving. So I have to ask, where did the writer of that episode get the idea? :-)
They call id DWD - Driving While Distracted. The only time I ever had an accident involving another vehicle (over 40 years ago) was when I was distracted by talking with some Latina hitchhikers I picked up on the Pacific Coast Highway in California. Perhaps we should just put the driver in a sound-proofed compartment with no view of the passenger area... Distractions happen. It is the driver's responsibility to keep their attention on the road and conditions. Nothing that outside agencies do can change that, and there will ALWAYS be things competing for our attention.
So, I guess I am saying that regulations should punish drivers ex post facto - after an accident - if they are guilty of exhibiting bad judgment, but not before the fact just because there is something distracting in their environment.
I purchase a lot of ebooks from a publisher that does get it. Books are $6 USD, available in just about every conceivable format (including online), and without any DRM whatsoever. They get my business. Amazon, B&N, et al do not. It's as simple as that.
My old Nokia (free w/ AT&T account) was the last locked phone I'll ever purchase. Now I have 2 unlocked Android Nexus One phones (one for T-Mobile, one for AT&T) and I will NEVER purchase another vendor-locked phone, no matter how much more I have to pay. Freedom has no price...
Musicians that remember that they are primarily entertainers and provide the means to entertain their fans will continue to prosper. Those that think that "only the music matters" will likely fall to the wayside. My wife and I have many, many musician friends (oldtime, bluegrass, classical, etc) and those that understand this are making a good living doing what they love.
Let's see. I wear patent leather shoes, walk 14 steps to the tap, and draw some water. In theory I COULD say that I was using a 14 step patent(ed) process... :-)
Any new product, especially one that has no antecedent, will have "teething" problems in the tech support department. I have 2 N1 phones, one for T-Mobile, and one for AT&T. They both work well, as designed, and I won't give them up for anything. I did have an issue or two, and when I contacted Google N1 tech support via email, they DID get back to me, and provided the information I needed to resolve my problem. Generally, my experiences with AT&T with regard to my old Nokia "dumb" (as opposed to "smart") phone weren't as successful. Final analysis? I think this suit should go nowhere fast, and I hope it does.
The reason why I am boycotting MS products and have migrated totally to FOSS (Free and Open Source Software). Use Linux and FOSS, and forget about this cruft!
Given that Mellencamp's middle name is Cougar, his voracious and carnivorous behavior is understandable... Personally, I think that Jackass is a better moniker for him.
In our town we have to pay for trash pickup, but recycling is free. So, the more we recycle, the lower our costs for trash removal. On our weekly trash pickups, we (my wife and I - kids are grown and on their own) generally only have a barrel of trash every other week, but 1-2 tubs of recycling material every week. If we didn't recycle, our trash removal costs would at least double, so the incentive is financial, not to mention we prefer to "keep green".
Me thinks that how an ISP acts in such cases depends a lot upon who's hands are in their pockets/pocketbooks, and who they have financial "arrangements" with. In the case of Comcast, they are not only an ISP, but a cable operator, so they have a vested interest in protecting their suppliers. Caveate emptor!
Just think of the billion$ government is losing because it doesn't charge people for walking on the public sidewalks! Outrageous! An "ambling tax" would do wonders for public coffers everywhere. Maybe even eliminate the deficit all tax authorities are currently "enjoying" because of their failure to legitimately assess these fees...
And I thought 160K miles on my '99 Camry was pretty good... :-) No major repairs, only standard maintenance, though it is about due for some new rear wheel bearings and shocks.
This is kind of like banning someone from leaving the house for life because they "borrowed" their neighbor's newspaper more than once... How stupid! These idiots should lose their license to practice law, and the right to open their mouths in public...
When I get cruft from ISP's about this sort of cruft, the first thing I do is cancel my account and get another one from another provider. Also, now I have a business account because of my consulting work. It costs more, but I don't get corned by the ISP. Seems they don't care about their consumer customers, but they also don't want to piss off the business community.
On the post: Canon Creates Keyword-Based DRM For Copy Machines?
Where does it stop?
On the post: Red Bull Cancels Stunt Dive From Space... Because Someone Sued Then Claiming It Was His Idea
No such thing as a new idea
On the post: Transportation Secretary Wants To Ban All Driver Talking (Except To Other Passengers)
Something to it - not talking while driving
So, I guess I am saying that regulations should punish drivers ex post facto - after an accident - if they are guilty of exhibiting bad judgment, but not before the fact just because there is something distracting in their environment.
On the post: Ebook Publishers Never Learned: DRM & Ridiculous Prices
No thanks
On the post: T-Mobile's Latest Android Phone Comes With Free Freedom-Destroying Rootkit
No vendor-locked phones for me, thanks
On the post: Once Again, Betting On Digital Music Sales Is A Mistake: Digital Music Sales Flat
Music - entertainment
On the post: Game Developers Can Beat Piracy By Copying Their Actual Competition
Just because...
On the post: Bagel Company Sued For Claiming It Had Patented Process For Making 'Brooklyn Water'
Well... maybe!
On the post: Google Sued For Nexus One Suckiness
Any new product...
On the post: Appeals Court Destroys First Sale; You Don't Own Your Software Anymore
The reason why...
On the post: John Mellencamp: Takes From Others, But Refuses To Give Back
What's in a name?
On the post: Big Brother In Your Garbage Cans
Pay or play
On the post: Another ISP Fighting US Copyright Group Subpoenas; Why Aren't More ISPs Protecting Your Privacy?
pockets
On the post: Apple Pulls Grooveshark From App Store, Because Universal Music Doesn't Like It
Can you spell...
On the post: Is Free Parking Costing Us Billions?
No more free walking
On the post: Patenting The Geophysical Center Of Europe?
Center of what?
On the post: The Car That's Driven 2.8 Million Miles
Pretty good
On the post: Rupert Murdoch, Pirate? Gave Away Jimi Hendrix CD Without Clearing The Rights
Co$t of piracy
On the post: New Zealand Lawyers Suggest Full Internet Ban For Repeat Infringers
Cut off nose...
On the post: ISP Accused Of Using One Unsubstantiated Strike From The ESA To Close Down Account
Best to vote with your pocketbook
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