Sunday, June 04, 2006

The %$^&#$! DMCA (Death by DMCA)

This one hits home. Regular readers and fellow geeks all know what the DMCA is about and why it needs reform. For the rest of you, give this one a read and consider all the cool stuff you are missing out on. (And it's a growing pile of stuff!)

I own one of the wonderful ReplayTV products mentioned in the article. It's probably the best PVR made to date, all things considered. It works with your existing stuff, has the right features and does not get in your way. No PVR sold today does what this device does and the vast majority of owners are just trying to get the best experience possible from their (rather expensive) television programming.

The DMCA lies at the core of this and the matter comes down to this:

Should we allow content creators to also control content handling devices? Don't the creators need platforms for their content to thrive in? Haven't we gone along just fine with people having the freedom to rip, mix and share their content with others? (and you can be we have!)

As long as this law continues to evolve as it currently is, we will continue to be denied the results of innovators everywhere. That's a direct and provable harm to you and me the average consumer. (Or, should I properly say citizen!)

Still think your vote matters?

Yeah, I know I just wrote about political issues being elsewhere. Let me clarify: Some political stuff will remain here. Just not the more frequent postings I've been wanting to make.

'nuff said on that.

This is an excellent piece that everyone should read. Our elections are a freaking mess. There is a part of me that is convinced this is not just a matter of circumstance. Messy elections favor those in power. Want to run this nation the way you want? Just muddy the will of the people and it's easy to say you are unopposed. Done, next.

Constructive change is needed. Almost all of us agree on that. The poor state of election affairs we are currently experiencing means we need solid numbers to exercise our check on the government, not just winning margins because the margin for error is now very high. Since the Supreme Court decided to select our president for us, a growing number of elections that matter have gone to the courts over ambigious election results.

That means pure numbers folks. Turnout is paramount if change is to come about!