“Stealable” Digital Files?

An article by Nate Anderson published by Ars Technica outlines the idea of “stealable” digital content in place of traditional DRM.  While I recommend reading the short article, the basic idea is that all digital content would have two components – a title folder and a playkey.  The folder could be easily copied any number of times and given to anyone (family, friends, or strangers).  In order to access the content, they would also need a link to the playkey.  This key would be stored on your machine or in a central key vault.  Unlike the content, the playkey could not be copied.  The catch is that anyone who has the link to your playkey could move it from your vault to their own, and there would be no way for you to move it back (unless they sent you the link to what is now their playkey).

While it still has an element of DRM (the inability to copy the playkey, for example), I have to admit that the idea is interesting.  It’s the closest analogue I’ve heard to what happens with physical goods.  Consider lending your favorite physical DVD to someone.  Typically I only lend to family and friends; I know these people well, and I expect to get the DVD returned at a later date.  The same could be said about this playkey.  If you’re only sharing with those you trust, then there really shouldn’t be an issue.

From my own experience with technology and computers, there would need to be some way to revoke a playkey from someone you’ve shared media with.  In other words, how do you “un-share” content?  I’m assuming this would be part of the final implementation.  The owner of the playkey (whoever that may be at any given time) could revoke other shares.  Sure, the media would cease to function, but you wouldn’t be left with 50 people that all have access to this playkey.

While the concept may sound good, you have to consider the ability to crack or otherwise circumvent any digital protection scheme.  Even if something like this is implemented, I’m sure it would only be a matter of time before the playkey technology is decoded and rendered useless.  When that happens, a new version of the playkey would need to be created, and the cycle just starts all over again.  I still think the best solution is to give consumers a reason to purchase the content rather than steal borrow it from someone else.  I’m not sure I know what that reason is, and I don’t know that it’s any one thing.  Until the industries so concerned with DRM figure that out, there won’t be a solution.

Smells Like Rotten Apples

I’m sure most of you have heard the news about Apple (or AT&T, or a combination of the two) rejecting the official Google Voice application and removing all applications from the iTunes Store that utilized Google Voice.  It’s gathered so much attention that the FCC has launched an investigation.  They’re not only asking about the Google Voice application, but they also want to know what the approval/rejection process is for iPhone apps.

The latest news is from a developer that was forced to censor their dictionary application and remove “illicit” words (including “ass”).  While that in itself is bad enough, the censored dictionary application, according to Apple, still necessitated a 17+ rating.  I’ll be the first one to say that I’m a fan of Apple and of the Mac brand, but this is just craziness.  Can you imagine what would happen if Microsoft would have pulled such a stunt?  I think the EU might have imploded.

It’s bad enough they censored the dictionary, but what about their own dictionary built right into OS X?  Well, as it turns out, you can find all of those illicit words there – just as they should be.  Maybe Apple should look-up some words of their own, in any dictionary.  I’d love to see how the idiots jokers over at MacDailyNews put a positive spin on these two issues, but they’ve been oddly silent.

I admit it, I’m a Mac fan.  I own a new MacBook Pro and quite a few iPods (Touch, Shuffle, and Nano).  If it weren’t for AT&T, I’d own an iPhone as well.  However, this lunacy with the iTunes App Store just has to stop.  I thought the whole point of building ratings and enhanced parental controls into the iPhone OS 3.0 was to enable mature (and I use that term loosely, since Apple and I have different definitions of the term) content in the Store.  I never thought I would hear myself champion the FCC, but I have to say that I hope someone lays some serious smack-down on Apple (and probably AT&T as well) in response to these Orwellian developments.  Isn’t this the same type of thing everyone always complains about with Microsoft?  I guess what they say is true – power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.

Update [August 6, 2009 - 5:30 pm]: It looks like Apple’s Phil Schiller has responded to the dictionary debacle.  Apparently, the developers did originally submit their application to Apple before the iPhone 3.0 OS was available.  Instead of waiting, they went ahead and censored the application.  After the updated OS was released, the application was then assigned the 17+ (mature) rating.  While this somewhat absolves Apple, it continues to highlight the point that interest everyone – what is the process Apple uses to approve/reject applications from the iTunes Store?

Nikon D40

Nikon D40

I just picked up the fantastic Nikon D40 (my first DSLR).  While I’ve used other Nikon cameras (the Coolipx 5200 being my most recent point-and-shoot model) and a film SLR camera (an old Canon), I’m pretty excited about upgrading from the point-and-shoot model to something that gives me a little bit more control.

While the D40 certainly isn’t the newest model Nikon has in its pro-sumer line, a lot of people think it’s pretty darn good. The D90 is Nikon’s latest offering, but at over 2.5 times the cost ($1200 versus $450 for the D40) it’s not really worth it.  Sure, the D90 has Live View (if you’re into that sort of thing), but I find the control I get by keeping the camera close to my body far outweighs the ability to hold the camera at arms length away.  I wanted to try to keep the purchase less expensive.  I’m not a professional photographer, so many of the features I’ll never miss.

I found most of my information on Ken Rockwell’s great website. He has a ton of useful information, including an entire section on how to make great photos.  It’s reassuring to know that the camera doesn’t matter!  If you’re looking for a new camera (any type of camera), I highly recommend doing some research on his website before you buy.

I’ve had the D40 less than 24 hours, so I’m still not comfortable with all of the settings.  Once I get a little more practice in, I’ll start posting some photos for your comments.

Time Warner Discontinues Cap Tests

After a plethora of public outcry about Time Warner’s stingy bandwidth caps ($75 for 100GB/month), it looks like they’re pulling the plugs in their test markets.  I won’t repeat what you can just read for yourself in the linked article from Ars Techinca, but I will say that this is a win for not only consumers in those test markets but broadband subscribers everywhere.  Sometimes, when my faith in the system seems to wain, it takes something like this to keep my hopes alive.