Note: The following posts were imported from my previous blogs.

First Napster, now Scour  #
Friday, 03 Nov 2000 08:47AM
First Napster, now Scour
listen.com buys Scour. But from what I understand of how Scour works, there isn't anything to stop you using it as it doesn't use centralised servers like Napster.

Why watermarks
I've been trying to figure out why the music industry is so focused on watermarks (signatures in audio which are innaudiable, but uniquely identify the source of the music). Just because you can proove where a CD came from (ie. the promo of Radiohead's Kid A ends up on Napster) it won't stop people copying it. Everyone knows that any copy of Faith No More's 'Sweet Emotion' on MP3 on the web definitely came from the Kerrang FlexiDisc of 89. Big deal?

The only thing I can think of is that they can write computer based MP3 players that won't play MP3s with a watermark in it, or a particular 'CD only' watermark. But again, there is nothing to stop you using old versions of 'Winamp' to play the files.

When will traditional companies learn to bend to what customers want instead of trying to force customers into their ancient ways of thinking? This method of customer manipulation will not work on the internet.

The book I've recently read said that the internet is the one factor that will bring about the next rapid evolution of human culture, to one that is used to easy access to information, is very tuned in to their personal freedoms, and one that thinks globally, for all people instead of their own country. I wish.

Unfortunately everyone can't get/afford the internet. And so many people are so attached to the little piece of land they live on... or the pieces they can't have.

Pre_Shrunk cover Bee Gees
That fantastic little Pre_Shrunk page, Creation has put up a sample of Shrunk's excellent cover of the Bee Gee's 'You Should Be Dancing', dubbed 'Feel Like Dancing'. Funky stuff. Check out the original if you get the chance too.