Posted by Doug Jacobs on 10/11/06 21:33

In alt.games.video.sony-playstation2 Technobarbarian <Technobarbarian-ztopzpam@gmail.com> wrote:

> > Read about Sony's rootkit incident.

> Isolated incident - red herring

It's a perfect example though. In order to exercise my rights to play the
CD on my PC, I would have to have this software installed on my PC - with
out my knowledge. Had Sony informed consumers up front what software was
going to be installed and what its purpose was, those who still chose to
install it would at least be making a conscious decision to do so.

> > This was software that was installed on machines without the users'
> > knowledge or permission. As such, this actually violates some fledging
> > laws regarding computer privacy.

> Exactly my point, your rights have not been reduced.

Why, because Sony isn't the government? You are aware that private
entities are perfectly capable of violating laws and private rights.

> > Oh yeah, and there was no indication on the package that the CD would
> > prevent you from ripping it, so people ended up trying to return what
> > they thought was a "defective" CD to stores - who only gave them an
> > exchange or store credit.

> Smart consumers learn from these experiences. The first time this
> happens shame on them. The second time shame on you.

So, if you're not reading all the latest tech news everyday, then shame on
you? Sure, I'm a technology geek. I read the web, try to keep myself up
to date on new technology and such, but I also think it's unreasonable to
expect everyone else to do the same thing. What, you're going to tell
your mother whose computer just got pwned due to the rootkit "Shame on you
for not knowing about Sony's Rootkit, ma!"

And even though I do try to keep current, I still think it's unreasonable
that I even have to be AWARE of such things. Why do I have to know how to
edit my Windows' Registry just so I can "fix" what other companies'
products break? Why do I have to know how to scribble on the backs of CDs
with a sharpie because some lame company thought it'd be keen if they
tried to stop me from using the CD in an intended method?

Do you agree that people should be allowed to use the technology without
having to spend hours and hours poring over technical manuals and articles
and such? I drive a car. I don't know entirely how the car works, nor
would I know how to fix it. That's why I take it to a mechanic. But by
your argument, you think we should all become professional mechanics?
That's completely unreasonable.

Even today there's news about the latest ploy to try to make DVDs
unplayable on computer DVD players. Sure, there's a hack already, but I
find it more and more tiring that I have to continually fight this war
against the stupid media companies just to use the license I legitimately
purchased from them in the first place.

Yeah, sure, there's always the ultimate option - just stop buying media
altogether. At the rate things are going, that's looking more and more
attractive.

> > And if it's the only game in town, are you willing to stop buying music
> > altogether?

> I'm sorry. I assumed you live on planet Earth. Here we have LOTS of
> choices. I can't speak for your planet.

Other than not buying the product, what are these "choices" you speak of?
If someone wanted a CD published by Sony, it's not as if they can go
across the street to, say, Virgin and ask them to press you a copy.

iTunes or something similar (but still legal)? You assume that the music
in question is actually available. Not all of the publishers have
embraced the online world.

So that leaves either illegal downloads or other forms of piracy. Not
really an option, and, will just play into the hands of the RIAA and MPAA
who claim it's because of piracy that publishers NEED to put more and more
restrictive DRM on their products. It makes sense in a twisted way. They
certainly can't do a whole lot to the folks who are pirating their work,
but they can certainly make their legitimate customers suffer...oh
yes...make them suffer a lot...

> Easy, after the first purchase of this sort you have been educated.
> Those who are too slow to learn their lesson are fair game.

Again, you presume that the consumer has to basically become a technophile
in order to learn about these things in the first place. Even then, the
longer term effects of having Starforce on your machine took weeks, even
months, to manifest. Even if you were a PC mechanic, the LAST thing
you'd normally suspect is that game you deleted off your HDD last week...

Yes, now we know. Fortunatly, I didn't lose any hardware to Starforce,
but I know friends who did, not to mention the hours and hours they spent
trying to fix their machine due to a problem that shouldn't have even
occured in the first place.

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