"as it'll probably give you a chuckle for putting into words what you've thought many times..."
chuckle? perhaps. But I never had such thoughts.
As for pseudo-children's books "It's A Book" by Lane Smith was well worth the $. What this article brings to mind is the old truism that the "you get what you pay for". This particular item is not worth the paper it's printed on, imo.
So is copying a pdf really stealing if people are only downloading it because of curiosity and have no interest whatsoever in displaying the thing on their coffee table? Does piracy take place if "no harm" was in fact done, and the volume of sales will be the same regardless of the availability of a preview copy?
Case in point: I can go to the bookstore and read the entire book without buying it. Does that make me a criminal? This isn't freaking Harry Potter. Releasing content before its actual release date... is it really going to matter?
There is something missing from all the discussion here. Allow me to explain:
I am a parent of four. My oldest daughter is 26 and is a professional 3D environment artist in the video game industry. The 18 year old is an aspiring writer, is hard at work on her first novel. My 10 year old son designed a board game (in classic civilization development style) for a school project. It's good enough I may copyright it.
I mention all of this because my kids all have something in common. They all grew up around computers, games, and books. The technology has changed over time, so the medium requires them to adapt. But they all are extremely comfortable around technology. I believe this gives them an edge. I hasten to add that this access to technology includes a Wii, PS3... you know, devices that are notorious for mindless entertainment and almost no educational value whatsoever.
None of them is overweight, most likely due to a balance in our lifestyle between exercise (hiking/biking), healthy eating and the aforementioned techie stuff.
This brings me to the 5 year old. He is completely bored with his Leapster Explorer. It engages him for about an hour and then he's had enough. When I asked him why he doesn't like it... direct quote: "Mommy, I can't drag with my finger. I need an iPod." I observed him playing with a few applications on our iPad recently. His adeptness with this interface puts me to shame.
But as a mom, I am looking for a device for him that is designed with a small boy in mind (you know the type, throwing/banging/jumping). So it needs to be able to withstand a 1 meter fall without the screen cracking. It should have rubbery outer edges, soft and rounded... perhaps even waterproof. It needs to have that "kid's toy" pricetag. (Something less than $80). Buying applications for it had better not break the bank either. But it also needs to have some of the capability and functionality of its adult counterparts.
I am a mom and a computer technology educator in K-12 settings. It is vital that our children grow up literate and adaptable to the mediums in which communication takes place. VTech is "in the neighborhood" with its InnoPad Tablet coming out this fall. Leapster may be on the right track with its LeapPad Explorer Tablet (but only if kids can drag items and views). Only time will tell what manufacturers of adult versions will bring.
Techdirt has not posted any stories submitted by Mary R.
From the wtf department
chuckle? perhaps. But I never had such thoughts.
As for pseudo-children's books "It's A Book" by Lane Smith was well worth the $. What this article brings to mind is the old truism that the "you get what you pay for". This particular item is not worth the paper it's printed on, imo.
So is copying a pdf really stealing if people are only downloading it because of curiosity and have no interest whatsoever in displaying the thing on their coffee table? Does piracy take place if "no harm" was in fact done, and the volume of sales will be the same regardless of the availability of a preview copy?
Case in point: I can go to the bookstore and read the entire book without buying it. Does that make me a criminal? This isn't freaking Harry Potter. Releasing content before its actual release date... is it really going to matter?
*Shrug* Whatevah.
An Amazing Opportunity
I am a parent of four. My oldest daughter is 26 and is a professional 3D environment artist in the video game industry. The 18 year old is an aspiring writer, is hard at work on her first novel. My 10 year old son designed a board game (in classic civilization development style) for a school project. It's good enough I may copyright it.
I mention all of this because my kids all have something in common. They all grew up around computers, games, and books. The technology has changed over time, so the medium requires them to adapt. But they all are extremely comfortable around technology. I believe this gives them an edge. I hasten to add that this access to technology includes a Wii, PS3... you know, devices that are notorious for mindless entertainment and almost no educational value whatsoever.
None of them is overweight, most likely due to a balance in our lifestyle between exercise (hiking/biking), healthy eating and the aforementioned techie stuff.
This brings me to the 5 year old. He is completely bored with his Leapster Explorer. It engages him for about an hour and then he's had enough. When I asked him why he doesn't like it... direct quote: "Mommy, I can't drag with my finger. I need an iPod." I observed him playing with a few applications on our iPad recently. His adeptness with this interface puts me to shame.
But as a mom, I am looking for a device for him that is designed with a small boy in mind (you know the type, throwing/banging/jumping). So it needs to be able to withstand a 1 meter fall without the screen cracking. It should have rubbery outer edges, soft and rounded... perhaps even waterproof. It needs to have that "kid's toy" pricetag. (Something less than $80). Buying applications for it had better not break the bank either. But it also needs to have some of the capability and functionality of its adult counterparts.
I am a mom and a computer technology educator in K-12 settings. It is vital that our children grow up literate and adaptable to the mediums in which communication takes place. VTech is "in the neighborhood" with its InnoPad Tablet coming out this fall. Leapster may be on the right track with its LeapPad Explorer Tablet (but only if kids can drag items and views). Only time will tell what manufacturers of adult versions will bring.
Techdirt has not posted any stories submitted by Mary R.
Submit a story now.