Comment Re:Audio Copy Protection (Score 1) 549
He's the only idea that I have for preventing companies (and individuals) from lobbying legislation. Change your consumer habits. In the pseudo-capitalist society the world is turning into, the only real vote we "the people" have left is through our spending habits. Since the Sony rootkit story broke, I have decided I will no longer buy a Sony product, even if the alternative is more expensive. If an alternative does not exist (yeah right), I simply will not indulge my "want". I only need food, shelter, clothing, and slashdot, so anything that falls outside that umbrella, is a "nice to have". If the company that produces it likes to screw their customers, they don't get my business.
Of course, that's the ideal. The reality is I have many products from companies that I don't agree with... Verizon is a prime example. I bought one of their Motorola e815 camera phones, under the misguided assumption that like ANY DAMN DIGITAL CAMERA, I would be able to download the pictures off the phone to my computer. I thought such a feature would be expected by any REASONABLE consumer, but no. They wanted a quarter a picture to transfer it through their "service" (now this is my intellectual property they're charging me for). So I hacked it. Well actually, I used tools developed by another fine soul, to hack it. I can now download my pictures. This is my little rebellion against the system. If Verizon wants to fine me or come after me, I WILL fight it. I know, bold words, but at least in my head it sounds great.
I am also very vocal with the people in my life that seem too lazy, apathetic, clueless or plain dumb to keep abreast of issues that affect them in the long run. Most don't listen, or don't care, but all I can take care of myself. If the world falls apart AND I did what I thought I could, I can sleep better knowing it wasn't my fault. I might have to sleep better in the Verizon Concentration Camp for Intellectual Subversives (cosponsored by Sony), but I will sleep well.
Of course, that's the ideal. The reality is I have many products from companies that I don't agree with... Verizon is a prime example. I bought one of their Motorola e815 camera phones, under the misguided assumption that like ANY DAMN DIGITAL CAMERA, I would be able to download the pictures off the phone to my computer. I thought such a feature would be expected by any REASONABLE consumer, but no. They wanted a quarter a picture to transfer it through their "service" (now this is my intellectual property they're charging me for). So I hacked it. Well actually, I used tools developed by another fine soul, to hack it. I can now download my pictures. This is my little rebellion against the system. If Verizon wants to fine me or come after me, I WILL fight it. I know, bold words, but at least in my head it sounds great.
I am also very vocal with the people in my life that seem too lazy, apathetic, clueless or plain dumb to keep abreast of issues that affect them in the long run. Most don't listen, or don't care, but all I can take care of myself. If the world falls apart AND I did what I thought I could, I can sleep better knowing it wasn't my fault. I might have to sleep better in the Verizon Concentration Camp for Intellectual Subversives (cosponsored by Sony), but I will sleep well.
