The Null Device

2000/6/4

Apparently Islamic arch-terrorist Osama Bin Laden has two new things: connections in south-east Asia and ex-Soviet biological weapons; two more reasons to steer clear of Sydney during that big sporting event that's coming up... (The Age)

0

An interesting resource mapping colours to names.

0

Cultural jamming in action: In parts of the US, mysterious stickers are showing up, reading "APPLE PIE MAKES YOU STERILE".

0

The street finds its own uses for things: Computer-generated obsessive celebrity fandom? (Thanks Mitch!)

0

Life imitates RMS's worst nightmares, or a look at the upcoming conflict between free software and "trusted" copyright enforcement technologies: (Freshmeat)

The RIAA, the MPAA, and their associated ancillary organizations are directed by the head executives of the cartel corporations. To achieve their position, executives in the movie and recording industries must instinctively seek and maintain a position of power. Expect ego to be as important as money in their decisions; it's an adaptive trait in their environment. These people are not naturally inclined to compromise. It's their way or the highway; you will sign their contract or you'll go begging.
However, the cartels also have an inexhaustible appetite for control. If new technology threatens their current dominance, it also gives them an opportunity to extend it. If technical and legal tools can make your data act like a physical thing, they can enforce other behaviors also. They can control how you play it, and set any kind of pricing scheme. Limited play, pay-per-play, and DIVX-like schemes are some of the possibilities.
Most importantly, if computers with trusted-client copy protection become prevalent in the future, they will be deadly to Open Source. Microsoft may be able to get Windows certified to run on trusted-client hardware, but how will you get approval to run your custom-patched Linux kernel?
If we act now, we can deny the old-media cartels the opportunity to impose onerous copy-protection on us. We can blunt and eventually repeal the DMCA before it can be used in a truly destructive manner. We can make our side of the story heard in the halls of power, and educate our representatives on the consequences of their actions.

0