Wednesday, August 16, 2006

Real to Open-Source Windows Media -- 4:10 pm CST, Update by A.T. Hun

RealNetworks will be releasing open source versions of Windows Media codecs as a part of their antitrust settlement with Microsoft. This functionality will be added to their Helix Player. I'm guessing that it will be able to be added to other players too, but I don't know what license they will use. Granted, you can play these files now with proprietary codecs, but still. Thanks Slashdot.

Pondering the Imponderable -- 10:05 am CST, Update by A.T. Hun

Sometimes I really wish that I had Phil to back me up.

The Master comments: I always wonder if cell phones were really such a wonderful invention. This strikes me the hardest when I see an obviously overworked mom trying to shop at a grocery store while maintaining what is obviously a very personal call at the same time. Usually at a volume that is reserved for sporting events. Ugh. This is why our cell phone is never on.

A.T. Hun comments: As with most "advances" there are good and bad aspects. Since I have four children, I like to be able to call for help if there would be an emergency while traveling. People can easily contact me in a similar situation. Unfortunately, it can become an electronic ball-and-chain. Thankfully, it has an "off" button.

Monday, August 14, 2006

RIAA: We Sue Dead People . . . Or Their Children -- 9:02 am CST, Update by A.T. Hun

The RIAA has brought a lawsuit against a man who died before the suit could be heard. Rather than do what a sane organization would do (like drop it) the RIAA has moved to give the family 60 days to grieve, afterwards they will depose the dead man's children. Perhaps one of my long-held beliefs is not true. Perhaps some people simply have no soul. At least they had better hope they don't. Hell's going to be awfully hot. I saw this one on several websites.

The Master comments: I can't help but think when those *people* die, they'll try to sue the devil for cutting in on their action.

Update! The RIAA has dropped the suit altogether, saying "out of an abundance of sensitivity, we have elected to drop this particular case." Note that they didn't say what they were sensitive about. Most likely, the heaps of bad press that this ill-advised suit was getting.

The Master comments: They always wuss out when they get a beating in the press. And it's only when they do stuff like this that anyone speaks up in the mainstream press. "Find out just what any people will quietly submit to and you have found the exact measure of injustice and wrong which will be imposed upon them"

No Old News

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