Toolkit

Story: Linux 'needs DRM support' for consumer success

• 
• 

Make no mistake. DRM is about much more then just ripping out your wallet as far as music is concerned.
It's supposed to get in between video, application, someone elses data and your own personal data as well. And likely anything else they can find. Like Internet browsing experience for instance. Vendor lock-in to the max because how many alternatives exactly are out there, in use and supported by "the industry" in reality? One. Some consumer choice eh? And just see how much our politicians are concerned about that really. Ignorance is bless. Stupidity rules. Are consumers truly, completely and in full informed each and every time? No. I rest my case.

Stop jumping to the hoops you'll encounter over time and say bye-bye to be able to access your data or someone elses. Wow, it's like the bank taking the keys of your house and car because you refused to agree to their latest price increasing contract adjustment. No, we're not there yet because we're just starting this game but what's stopping them from doing so in the future? Market demands? Politicians? Court rooms? Laws? Yeah right, where have you been the last ten years?

As a Dutch citizen I've the legal right to download and use as I see fit whatever music I desire as long as its for personal use. Same goes for video. In return I pay extra whenever I purchase some blank storage medium like a CD-R. In all the music industry and the like are well composated for their "losses". But does that satisfy the greed of the happy few? It seems not. How 80's.

The French and the Germans suckered into the lobbiest game and now their consumers (I should say: voters) will pay the price. I wonder how many more (EU) politicians will sell out existing laws and consumer privileges because of ignorance on their part. Hopefully the favour will be returned with the coming elections. Remember, you're voting to power the same "bright lights" that didn't booted out software patents (as if there's something seriously wrong with existing copyright laws when compared to suggested software patent legistation) the first time it was suggested and a whole bunch of other things.

So no, Open Source (e.g. Linux) should boot out DRM and what it stands for at the moment. Don't cry along with the wolves. Make a stand on issues that matter. Stand up for your rights. Let history be the judge who was right in retrospect.

Concerning Linux. The only thing it's lacking is mainstream game support. That's all that's stopping it from taking the (home) markets within two years from then. Do some research if you disagree.

• 
• 

• 
• 
• 

Full Talkback thread