Issue 22, Volume 3

T6 Issue 22, Volume 3 is finally up after some irksome formating issues that Word decided to add and thereby screwing me royal.  I have not been able to get everything back to normal but it is close.

I also ask you to note the new email subscribe option. I am looking to end the emails from me directly and have those interested sign up directly. The feedburner version will allow me to more readily manage those email subs who do not want the normal feedburner subscriptions.   You can still subscribe to the various reader aggregators by using the 'Subscribe to this blogs Feed' option at the top of the page.

.

.

_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_



* Wifi / Mobile*

_-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_

.
.
Solar-Powered Wi-Fi
.
.
Orlando-based Solis Energy has released a plan to provide guaranteed energy to low-wattage devices, even in the event of a blackout. Customers will be able to power their 100-watt-and-under devices -- WiFi hotspots, security cameras, traffic lights, and sensors, even when grid power is unavailable -- using solar power.
.
.

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,2176043,00.asp <http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1895,2176043,00.asp>
.
T6 Commentary: Why would this be even remotely relevant you ask?  What good is having my personal network up when the ISP has gone deep six? Plenty, I reply!   Aside from the metropolitan infrastructure safety this could provide, it is also the prefect back up to insure your 802.11n wireless AV distribution system stays up in a power outage.  Such support could actually be very beneficial if your main phone is VoiP –(so long as the cable company has such back ups on place for their systems. I don’t know about you but I have cablevision and the entire neighborhood gets fuzzy reception the moment a weatherman even thinks of rain).  Plus It make the prefect compliment to the Blekin N1 Vision router_(See T6 Issue 19,Volume 3)_ with built in digital clock display, so you can accurately track just how long your power outage is and blog to your out of state friend about just how inconvenienced you are.
.
.
.

**************************************************************************
.
.
Connecting to Wi-Fi Networks Using Windows Vista      
.
.

Although the new networking interfaces in Vista may be better organized and enhanced for the majority of consumers, advanced PC users won’t care for the redesign. As you’ll see, accessing some networking configuration and connection detail windows now requires more clicks than before.
.
.

http://www.practicallynetworked.com/networking/082107vista_wireless.htm <http://www.practicallynetworked.com/networking/082107vista_wireless.htm>

.
.
T6 Commentary: I am still learning the details of Vista, all while reading the chorus of tech writers reporting on a not so smooth transition from XP for most users..  It may not be pretty folks, but this looks like a good start toward gaining insight on the processes of Vista control panels.

.
.
_-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_

* H\DTV*

_-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_

.
.
CableLabs Approves DTCP-IP For Digital Cable Products

.
.
According to a release, CableLabs’ approval of the standard allows its “licensees under DFAST, CHILA and DCAS to protect pay-per-view and video-on-demand transmissions against unauthorized copying and unauthorized Internet retransmission, while assuring consumers’ ability to record broadcast and subscription programming, in digital formats, for personal use
.
.
http://www.twice.com/article/CA6471379.html <http://www.twice.com/article/CA6471379.html>
.
.

T6 Commentary: As HD becomes more and more common on cable so do the concerns of piracy especially with PPV (Pay Per View) services which could be a huge issue as more content is created natively in HD.  I have not had a chance to read into the copy protection scheme yet, but I suspect it will be similar to the Apple DRM methods that also allowed for a few ‘personal’ back up or library copies. The inclusion of ‘personal use’ copies is a big deal and directly related to the ongoing scrum between the DVD CCA and Kalidascape.  It is also, by no small measure, a bow to the DVR time shifting revolution now lead by Tivo.
.
.
.

_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_



* Format Wars *

_-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_

.
.

Video Wars II
.
.

The industry has been abuzz all week over the back-door incentives used to induce the studios in question to abandon Blu-ray. Paramount was rumoured to have received $50m and DreamWorks $100m for making the switch. Other incentives were said to have included exclusive promotion and marketing support for the studios’ new releases.

.

.

http://www.economist.com/science/displaystory.cfm?story_id=9689600 <http://www.economist.com/science/displaystory.cfm?story_id=9689600>

.
.

T6 Commentary:  Now even the economist magazine has gotten into the act, reporting on how despite the trend and statistical sales advantage of Blu-Ray Both DreamWorks and Paramount have decided to release titles in HD-DVD formats exclusively.  Not only has the normally staid Economist reported on this industry fracas –(with some quaint Johnny- come- lately background on the early 80 VHS format war)- but has declared HD-DVD the better buy for stability, robust durability, enticing interactive features and easier programming of content!  “By comparison, writing software for HD DVD using Microsoft’s HDi interactive technology is a doddle—with one simple command doing the task of scores of lines of BD-Java". This last part was unknown to me and it convinces me further that the better man will not win here. HD-DVD is just sounding too good to not be beat down within an inch of its life. Thus giving Blu-Ray 10 years to offer what HD-DVD has now. Oh, Progress! (as a side note – the ‘oh, Progress’ tag has left me torn between referencing either Whitman or X-Ray Spec.  I tend to think ole Walt would have like Polystyrene and the band,(he was kind of funny that way).
.
.
.
_-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_

* New Media  *

_-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_

.
.
IBM: Internet to Eclipse TV
.
.

A total of 66 percent of the new survey's respondents reported viewing television programs from one to four hours per day, versus 60 percent who reported the same levels of personal Internet use. Moreover, researchers said the traditional TV set is increasingly taking a back seat to PCs and cellular handsets among consumers between the ages of 18 and 34.
.
.

http://www.newsfactor.com/story.xhtml?story_id=11300ADV5AEE&nl=2 <http://www.newsfactor.com/story.xhtml?story_id=11300ADV5AEE&nl=2>
.
.

T6 Commentary: I include this article to show how other ‘silicon Valley\Alley’ companies are effectively taking up Bill Gates battle cry of traditional media’s demise in less then 10 years. I also get to trot out the SwanniSez inverse square law yet again. (For those new to the blog, Phil Swann – an HD advocate and Broadcast TV magazine writer- has long held that ‘NO ONE’ wants to watch programming on small screens such as Cell phones and iPods have.  My take is that every time Swanni states this the number of products offering such services and their subscribers’ doubles).
.
.

**************************************************************************
.
.

IBM sees future in Second Life, Web worlds
.

‘

IBM sales representatives in Singapore, Malaysia and Australia will now staff the company's virtual Business Center in Second Life <http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20405522/> , an online world where millions of participants create alter egos called avatars, buy property and interact with one another
.
.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20405522/ <http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20405522/>
.
.

T6 Commentary: Second life has become something of paradigm shift for its participants with more and more companies looking to set up virtual establishments.  Think of Second Life (SL) as a Live version of Sims People with the social networking systems Worlds of Warcraft have spawned, but with out the hit points and broadswords. Still confused why this would show up in T6?  IBM is attempting to not only sell real equipment and services but also virtual versions of its services, as there is real money to be made on SL.
.

Notable publications like EETimes has reported on the tech manufacture entry to SL http://www.eetimes.com/showArticle.jhtml;jsessionid=CGHWWS5OPIUVSQSNDLRCKH0CJUNN2JVN?articleID=199903714). EE Time also had several online surveys asking electronic supplies and manufactures about their Second Life plans.
.

NPR’s Business Magazine, Market Place, has reported on the vast wealth being generated by owners of SL business who provide the SL avatars with all the material goods they desire - Second Life: Real Money in a Virtual World - http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6431819.
.

NPR has also reported on the growing trend of cutting edge (and not so cutting edge) companies conducting job interviews in SL- Virtual Recruiting for Real-World Jobs http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=13851345 <http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=13851345>
.
.
.
**************************************************************************
.
.
Targus Debuts Sound Enhancer For Portable Music Players
.
.
The device incorporates Phantom Technologies-patented circuit, which enhances sound quality by up to 20 percent to 25 percent, revealing instruments and voices from original recordings that are typically lost during compression, the company said
.
.

http://www.twice.com/article/CA6470927.html <http://www.twice.com/article/CA6470927.html>
.
.

T6 Commentary:  I am surprised that it has taken this long before a serious system offering to improve the ‘lossy’ quality of MP3’s to something more bearable. Slowly we claw our way back to quality with convenience.
.
.
. _-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_

* Working Knowledge  *

_-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_

.
.
MONEY and the MIND
.
.

Dr. Frank then talks about some of the ways in which the incredible gains that have been experienced by those at the very top are squeezing those in the middle. He describes what he calls a "spending cascade." For example, when those at the top start building much bigger mansions, the result is that those just below them in the income scale also start building bigger houses, and so on and so on. As a result, since the 1970s, the size of the average middle-class home has grown much larger, without a commensurate increase in middle-class families' purchasing power. Thus, people end up working longer hours, having less time with their families, spending more, and saving less. He says buying bigger houses is not really an issue of envy -- there's a frame of reference for every time and place, and if what you have stands out conspicuously on the low side, you become uncomfortable. In additional to the psychological cost of feeling you're not keeping up, there are also concrete costs -- for example, people want to live in neighborhoods with good schools, which now requires buying a bigger home than it used to. In other words, people buy what they think they need; the problem is, what they "need" depends on what other people are spending.
.
.

http://www.lcmedia.com/mind493.htm <http://www.lcmedia.com/mind493.htm>
.
.

T6 Commentary: the quote above is an excerpt from an NPR weekly show on the science of the mind and mental health issues whose topics and conversation often expand greatly beyond the initial focus of the show subject. In the August 21 show a conversation that directly relates to the automation industry is brought up to show how great a dichotomy in the average persons understanding of money and its real value (or unintended affect).  I will refrain from my normal modus and simply state that this is one to roll around in your head for a while.
.
.
.

**************************************************************************
.
Control Systems for Live Entertainment – Third Edition is now out.
.

Have I mentioned this already?  No really stop if you have heard this one already.

John Huntington's Control Systems for Live Entertainment has just been released in its third Edition.  The book is chock full of information on DMX, ANC, MIDI, Serial communications and a plethora of others all in clear concise language. The book also contains tons of useful tables. I strongly suggest that everyone obtain at least one copy of the third edition for your staff.

Check out a preview chapter at http://books.elsevier.com/us/focalbooks/us/subindex.asp?isbn=9780240809373&country=United+States&community=focalbooks&ref=&mscssid=WAQ3BACKVJ168JX2E2WCFQ6TF79MC8R5 <http://books.elsevier.com/us/focalbooks/us/subindex.asp?isbn=9780240809373&country=United+States&community=focalbooks&ref=&mscssid=WAQ3BACKVJ168JX2E2WCFQ6TF79MC8R5>

If you decide to buy, please use the link thru located on John's site - www.controlgeek.net <http://www.controlgeek.net/>  as John gets a better value from the amazon referrals then nearly any other.  So help a brother out and get your self all learned up to boot.

Well, what are you waiting for?  Open a new tab in IE and order the dang thing – the obit below is interesting enough to create a sense of anticipation for whilst you order John’s book.
.

.

.

-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_

* Obit  *

_-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_

.
.

Joybubbles phPhone phreaker extraordinaire dead at 58  – link credit to Stephen Baker & Michael Flink
.
.

At the age of four, Joybubbles became fascinated with telephones. Having perfect pitch, around 1957 he discovered he could whistle into a telephone a precise 2600 hertz tone, the frequency then used by AT&T to signal that a long-distance telephone line was not presently in use and was now available for another call. By whistling at 2600 hertz into the phone, Joybubbles told the phone company’s far end switch that the line was now idle.
.
.

http://businessvoip.tmcnet.com/topics/trends/articles/9789-joybubbles-hastened-move-intelligent-telephone-networks.htm <http://businessvoip.tmcnet.com/topics/trends/articles/9789-joybubbles-hastened-move-intelligent-telephone-networks.htm>

.

T6 Commentary:  Interesting character, Joybubbles, his horrible childhood aside he lived and influenced remarkably.  As the article details JB could open up early phone lines simply by whistling the correct frequency (at the time 2600 Hz).  The article connects how JB’s reported exploits influenced others to recreate his method, specifically one John Draper who created some of the first electronic phone phreaking devices – Blue Boxes. (The linked article does a fine job of synopsizing the short history of Blue, Red, Gold, etc boxes designed to circumvent pay phones) John Draper is reported to have taught Both Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak how to build such boxes. Draper was later hired by Apple years later when the Steve’s formed their company. The Butterfly effect indeed.  Joybubbles was also the inspiration for a legion of educated hackers who took up his form of curiosity hacking and formed the magazine and hacker group –2600 <http://www.2600.com/> .  Emmanuel Goldstein and the boys of 2600 interviewed Mr. Engressia on their radio show – ‘off the hook’ – back in 1991; Click the link and scroll down to the ‘-11/20/91-‘ listing at bottom (http://www.2600.com/offthehook/1991/1191.html <http://www.2600.com/offthehook/1991/1191.html>  ).
.
.

`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````

`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````


Check out T6’s ‘Culture Corner’ with links to bands you should know and Inspired technical links from those who inspire me.

.


Does anyone actually read the liner notes? Let me know, the comments section of T6 is now open.  At the end of every issue find the Comments link.

.

All quoted material is the copyright of the respective sites and \ or authors- except were noted or comments are clearly mine.
.


All T6 commentary opinions expressed are mine alone and are not necessarily those of Crestron Electronics, its employees, associates or even their families. Just my big mouth

T6 will  be a little late today due to a odd formatting bug myMS word has decided to implement.

I intend to have the blog published by tonight.

Thanks in advance.

In the interim  you should know that John Huntington's Control Systems for Live Entertainment has just been released in its third Edition.  The book is chock full of information on DMX, ANC, MIDI, Serial communications and a plethora of others all in clear concise language. The book also contains tons of useful tables. I strongly suggest that everyone obtain at least one copy of the third edition for their staff.

Check out a preview chapter at http://books.elsevier.com/us/focalbooks/us/subindex.asp?isbn=9780240809373&country=United+States&community=focalbooks&ref=&mscssid=WAQ3BACKVJ168JX2E2WCFQ6TF79MC8R5

If you decide to buy, please use the link thru located on John's site - www.controlgeek.net as John gets a better value from the amazon referrals then nearly any other.  So help a brother out and get your self all learned up too boot.

Issue 21, Volume 3

.

.

.

_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_

* Wifi / Mobile*

_-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_

.

.

Clearing Emergency Radio Waves

.

.

FCC Chairman Kevin Martin warns that he wants to see progress soon, or the FCC will dictate a remedy. Sprint Nextel concedes it is taking longer than anticipated to solve the problem and attributes the delay to its efforts to do it as economically as possible.

.

.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB118644768507989972.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

.

.

T6 Comment:  You know the stuttery beeping you get on your computer speakers just before you Cell phone rings? Yeah this is what the Nextel’s are doing – except it is to the pubic safety systems.  Not a good situation for the Sprint folks who are envisioning a marriage of Nextel infrastructure to the WiMax systems.  Sprint is looking to be the core technology for 4G phone | Multimedia services.  Poor Sprint, firing customers, getting told Wimax just  is a starting off place for 4G standards discussions and now causing trouble for our finest and bravest. Alas poor Yorick ?

.

.

.

**************************************************************************

.

.

Microsoft to dispute FCC on Internet over TV airwaves: report

.

.

In a document that it plans to file with the Federal Communications Commission, Microsoft Corp. disputes the agency's findings that prototype devices, designed to connect consumers to high-speed Internet over unused television airwaves, either interfered with TV signals or could not detect them to avoid interference.

.

.

http://www.marketwatch.com/news/story/microsoft-dispute-fcc-internet-over/story.aspx?guid=%7BAAF98EB6-2902-4642-BB45-C7603415E31E%7D

.

.

T6 Commentary: Oddly enough this move by Microsoft actually supports the arguments of Google against the same FCC ruling. So great are the potential profits and innovation offered by the frequency sale that such strange bedfellows are made.  Google and Microsoft only have half a leg to stand on.  The FCC, at first, was willing to rely upon unproven ‘self-discovery’ channel avoidance technology, which has yet to be proven in real world settings. The Audio Visual staging industry is extremely concerned about how this will affect them. The fear of a massive RF interference that would come from an explosion of unlicensed devices (UD)  is so great that a collection of manufactures formed  ‘White Spaces’ industry committee to fight-(successfully it appears) the allowance of UD’s to operate without further testing.    See T6 Issue 14 Volume 3, (Working Knowledge –‘Frequency frustrations’ for more commentary on the story at http://www.rentalandstaging.com/articles/publish/article_743.shtml.

.

.

_-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_

* Development*

_-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_

.

.

‘Long Tail’ author claims theory could transform design

.

.

Anderson explained the fundamental principle of the long tail and the impact it is having on software and hardware design. The long tail principle states that the falling cost of production, distribution and storage of products is allowing producers and retailers to cater to narrower market niches. This in turn increases the aggregate value of those niches and that that value will soon equal the aggregate value of mainstream products

.

.

http://www.eetimes.com/news/design/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=201500039&printable=true

.

.

T6 Commentary: I love this book and continue to refer to it and mention it here. (The only other ‘technical’ book I speak so highly of is John Huntington’s ‘Control Systems for Live Entertainment’).  As the above quote states, the book explores the idea of utilizing modern production services to feed an every growing Niche market clientele.  In direct opposition to the anecdotal Henry Ford story –(They can have any color Model T they want, so long as it is black), the author sets to show how companies can grow by providing niche products and services. Obvious examples are sites like YouTube that on the face provides generalized Video streaming, but in reality serve hundreds of niche interests groups.  HD radio carries the same model, not just to the end viewer\listener but advertisers as well.

.

.

.

_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_

* Format Wars*

_-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_

.

.

Playstation 3 kills HD DVD

.

.

According to a study commissioned by Sony in June, 72% of Playstation 3 owners have purchased a Blu-ray disc movie, and 87% said they intend to buy one in the next 12 months.  Of those who said they watch BD movies on their PS3 frequently, 82% said Blu-ray is their preferred movie format.

.

.

http://www.tgdaily.com/content/view/33444/128/

.

.

T6 Commentary:  An interesting article that points to some actual statistical data to show a relationship between sales of a particular game console and actual sales numbers for a specific HD disc format.   Despite the oft stated and generally recognized superiority of HD-DVD features, Blu-Ray is establishing a set hold on the market.

.

There is still the struggle to educate the average end-user on just what they are purchasing, as the article states –“…NPD released a study this week that found that 40% of next-gen gamers didn't even know the PS3 had a Blu-ray player”. I thought the gamer geeks poured over every feature of their $300-$500 box.   My question is what I always ask with these reports- ‘just how small a minority is the HD base who clamor for more and better?  It is blatantly clear that the Majority (especially the cable\direct TV subscribers) can only one wit about this.

.

.

**************************************************************************

.

.

Paramount picks HD DVD over Blu-ray

.

.

Paramount Pictures and DreamWorks Animation SKG Inc. will offer next-generation DVDs in the HD DVD format and drop support for Blu-ray, further complicating the race between the competing technologies

.

.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20360863/

.

.

T6 Comment:  Just when you see a story that you are sure will show you the final outcome of this silly protracted war, one like this comes along. Despite a long list of supporters for Blu-Ray and some evident statistics giving Blu-Ray a clear edge, Paramount make this announcement. Every time this happens I think of the line from the movie Duck Soup:

Rufus T. Firefly: Oh, I'm sick of messages from the front. Don't we ever get a message from the side? - What is it?
Bob Roland: General Smith reports a gas attack. He wants to know what to do.
Rufus T. Firefly: Tell him to take a teaspoonful of bicarbonate of soda and a half a glass of water

.

.

.

_-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_

* New Media  *

_-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_

.

.

Microsoft: IPTV is entry to operator business

.

.

While Internet companies like Google, Yahoo, and Microsoft's own MSN operate "hugely scaled" networks based on servers, telecommunications operators have traditionally relied on special-purpose hardware, she noted. "This is hopefully a new era" during which operators will begin using lower cost, off-the-shelf hardware components, she said

.

.

http://www.infoworld.com/article/07/08/07/Microsoft-says-IPTV-is-entry-to-operator-business_1.html

.

.

T6 Commentary:  Microsoft –(quite like the recent history at SONY)- has been accused of being slow to recognize trends, losing market share –(real or perceived) as a result. Once MS finally recognizes and releases a competing entry to the market they are accused of using brute force to establishes and solidify a presence, if not dominance. In the case of IPTV it would appear that MS would use its bully pulpit early and with an eye to being THE provider.  Bill Gates has gone clearly on record to state that the end of traditional broadcast is nigh, now he aims to fulfill the prophecy.  There are issues, as the article well states, but Microsoft’s early lead (and just as importantly, an obvious growth plan) in developing IPTV providers’ set the way for real movement.

.

.

**************************************************************************

.

.

Universal plans DRM-free downloads, without Apple

.

‘

In an experiment, Vivendi's market-leading Universal Music plans to sell MP3 music downloads for 99c without copy protection -- and they won't be available from Apple's iTunes store.

.

Although independent labels have been doing this for many years, it's a novel step for the world's biggest music publishing conglomerate, which has artists such as U2, Amy Winehouse, Sting, Stevie Wonder, 50 Cent and Black Eyed Peas.

.

.

http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/technology/archives/2007/08/10/universal_plans_drmfree_downloads_without_apple.html

.

.

T6 Commentary: I have spoken often on my support for protection on downloaded music, so much so it appears, that I have been accused of being a shill for the labels and  “..old man who still thinks music needs to be made in an official building..” Well I cannot say I am college freshman age but I do still feel that artists and their distribution managers –(be that major label, Indie startup or owner-operator music site) need some way to protect their upfront investments.  To my detractors, let me be perfectly clear – the labels, both major and indie, can be scorned and even hated for the treatment of its artists. Still, when a band chooses to sign on to a label for the chance at greater exposure you lose some rights by spending another’s money to make your art. This being said,  for the music labels to sic their attack dogs-(RIAA & ASCAP) on the providers of technology, centralized sites AND Joe average downloader; all in an attempt to put the genie back in the bottle is well just desperate.  Now the record companies claim to be David to Apple’s iTunes Goliath wanting to scare their single best legal download conduit into coughing up better percentages. The major label dreams of drawing fans to their site will eventually be far overshadowed by the all in one sites who offer variety and low cost.

.

.

**************************************************************************

.

.

ISPs to BBC: We will throttle iPlayer unless you pay up

.

‘

The Internet was not set up with a view to distributing video. We have been improving our capacity, but the bandwidth we have is not infinite. If the iPlayer really takes off, consumers accessing the Internet will get very slow service and call their ISPs to complain."

.

.

http://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20070813-isps-to-bbc-we-throttle-iplayer-unless-you-pay-up.html

.

.

T6 Commentary: The Net-will-not-be-neutral war has begun in earnest and it is the big guns facing off first.  While one would be expected to consider the main fighting points to center around the ISP’s concerns over bandwidth hogging or clogging of the ‘tubes’, this set of fisticuffs centers around just how the BBC plans to distribute content.  Rather then provide a direct download scheme the BBC has opted to go with using peer-to-peer systems to offset the heavy loads the service will create. The ISP’s are frothing about this as using local ‘volunteer’ computers makes it difficult for the ISP’s to measure or enforce bandwidth use. The bigger concern of ISP’s is just how this method robs them of getting a finger in the profits pot by charging  for bandwidth rights.  Have the ghosts of Bit-Torrent come back to claim post mortem victory? 

.

The BBC’s iPlayer –( hm, why has apple not already sent a screaming horde of lawyers over the big pond to cry foul ?) may just be the push ISP’s need to start a new tier of pricing for those IPTV users who want  cable-TV comparable performance.

.

. _-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_

* Working Knowledge  *

_-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_

.

.

What Every Consumer Should Know About Intellectual Property

.

.

Intellectual property” is a broad term for ideas or artistic creations for which the creator owns the license. In essence, whenever a product of the mind or intellect is created, the creator reserves the right to benefit from his or her creation. The law steps in to protect this right.

.

.

http://www.dvrplayground.com/article/15694/What-Every-Consumer-Should-Know-About-Intellectual-Property/;jsessionid=C2429037CE640E055699BE232A70A783

.

.

T6 Comment:  The quoted article is interesting not just for its treatment of fair use as concerning MP3’s, ripping DVD content to hard drive servers and now e-books; this also has applications in the home automation market.   Often an installer or the homeowner will assume that the code that runs on a control processor is under their ownership.  This is not always true. For the most part the programmer who writes the code has intellectual ownership and can refuse to provide it unless compensated.  What actually happens here is a transfer of the run-time license that permits the end user to run the complied code but not alter or edit it.  For the most part a programmer who is a staff employee –(who gets a regular salary, benefits, etc) – waives this right, but an Independent programmer may retain the intellectual property rights to the base code.   The devil, of course, is in the contractual details. 

.

An argument based on the quoted part of the article is ostensibly at the heart of the conflict between the manufacture Kaleidescape and the DVD Copy Control Association (DVD CCA). (See T6 issue 9 Volume 3).  To you and me the DVD CCA attempts to stop the sale and installation of DVD servers seems counter intuitive to what we know our clientele-( and the public in general)- demand. A ruling in favor of the DVD CCA would adversely affect the mass market VOD (Video On Demand), Neflix downloads (from Tivo too!) and Blockbuster online.  If not for a loophole in the DVD CCA regulations the party would already be over. 

As with the K-scape vs. DVD CCA and the independent programmer vs. dealer resolution only comes about with meeting in the middle to insure mutual success and continued business.

.

.

.

_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_

* Obit *

_-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_

.

.

Remembering Lee Hazelwood – with link to artilce audio and sample music!

.

.

The 78-year-old music-industry veteran spent most of his career writing or producing hits for others, while his own records lampooned the business. In fact, Hazlewood became legendary for his independence and for his disdain for the industry — an attitude that earned him the adoration of a later generation of rock musicians that includes Nick Cave and Sonic Youth.

.

.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=12537578

.

.

T6 Commentary:  Lee Hazelwood is one of those music industry originals like Raymond Scott and Joe Meek.  Men who only found success after being told their ideas would never make any impression. In the end they changed how things were done from then on. 

.

Lee Hazelwood also found that rejection allowed him to retain the rights to all his songs, making him self-sufficient, a trait which made him a hero to the alternative community of independent record labels and non-mainstream musicians.  Hazelwood’s hits are so familiar that even the causal music fan knows them.  ‘These Boots are made for walking’ in particular has become part of the cultural vernacular. All that fifties garage band rockabilly tamed and orchestrated, his advise to Nancy Sinatra to “… sing it like a fourteen year old who hangs out with truckers” is the perfect way to add back a growl.  Take a listen to some of the solo work include as links in the above quoted article. My very first association was to the ‘Spock Sings’ and the infamous William Shatner cover of ‘Rocket Man’.  There is an absolutely ridiculous Shatner cover of Rocket Man, which he performed live at the televised 1978 Sci-Fi Awards –(Introduced by Bernie Taupin, no less).  I had seen the footage only once at a friend’s house during the early morning hours of a long beer soaked gathering.  A few years later I lost touch with this individual never to see the tape –(or some of the truly strange, even frightening tapes he owned) again.  Of course – You Tube has it. Enjoy!

.

.

.

`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````

`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````

.

Check out T6’s ‘Culture Corner’ with links to bands you should know and Inspired technical links from those who inspire me.

.

Does anyone actually read the liner notes? Let me know, the comments section of T6 is now open.  At the end of every issue find the Comments link.

.

All quoted material is the copyright of the respective sites and \ or authors- except were noted or comments are clearly mine.

.

All T6 commentary opinions expressed are mine alone and are not necessarily those of Crestron Electronics, its employees, associates or even their families. Just my big mouth