» posted on 7:52am - November 18 2008 | posted by Lev

I hate Digital Rights Management.

I hate it not only because it infringes on your personal right to privacy, or limits the way you can use a device you purchased, but even more because of the whole range of problems it introduces.

Apparently, iTunes comes with a mechanism that only allows you to use your library on up to five computers.

Besides the fact that this alone is an incredibly bold way to control your life and how you use your electronic devices, it's also stupid and completely flawed.

I spent five hours or more yesterday getting my iPhone to even be recognized in iTunes, and during the whole process I went through two different Windows installations (thinking there was something wrong with the original disc I used, so I went to another).

Well, just because I couldn't get my iPhone connected on the first install doesn't mean I didn't create the iTunes account, which is what I did, so I could at least download things through my iPhone.

Mistake #1.

It seems that by registering my account then, on the first Windows installation, that this was registered with Apple as my first authorized computer.

So, during the whole quest to get my iPhone detected, I performed another installation of Windows XP (this time using a Pro disc instead with a different service pack).

Eventually, I discovered that the problem itself was simply that the iPhone didn't like the USB port it was in, as it started working as soon as I switched it into another port (I wish I did this before having to go through the hassle of trying a new installation).

So now, I have my phone connected and working on the new Windows installation, and what do I discover?

Apparently, I am now using two of my five authorized computers.

I've read around and it seems to be confirmed that even if your computer is the same, if the installation or OS environment is different at all, it takes it as a different computer.

Wonderful, Apple... Just wonderful.

I've known that Microsoft is horrible when it comes to DRM, and I've actually tried to avoid and even boycott them based on this, but I never knew that Apple took things as far as this too.

This is just pathetic.

When the mechanisms that companies put in place to protect their interests start to interfere with your usability and how you can legally use something you own, that's when you need to start saying, "enough is enough". DRM shouldn't mean making your life much more restrictive and complicated, but as many big companies are continuing to prove - it does.

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posted by: Lev · date: 3:36am - November 20 2008

Sadly, I learned this the hard way.

Up until recently, I wasn't even aware that Apple was as aggressive with DRM as they are. For some reason I thought it was mainly a Microsoft thing (as with the stuff included in Vista and the Xbox 360), but apparently Apple is just as bad.

I don't regret getting the phone, because it serves the many purposes I got it for, but I won't deny that I'd like it a hell of a lot more had this not been an issue.

Apple just wants you to use Apple stuff to make things "less complicated"

Actually, I don't think that it is. For two reasons: 1) since I've been considering the purchase of a MacBook, I've done a lot of research on both the phone and Mac computers, and it seems as though Macs have just as many issues with the way you can use your music in iTunes. 2) I don't think Apple ever intended on doing it to make it less complicated for anyone (including them). I think the only reason they did it is to prevent "piracy", by making it as difficult as possible for accounts to share music with other accounts and ipods with other ipods. I think when it all comes down to it, it was nothing more than piracy preventing (as that is what DRM is intended for anyhow), which in the end is all about making more money.

"Don't use the rules; they're not for you, they're for the fools - and you're a fool if you don't know that." - The Clash

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newbie (34289 AP) » total items: 2075 / total posts: 2425 » 0.000 / 0.000

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posted by: Neglection · date: 1:17am - November 20 2008

That is why I dont have an iPod. I dont like apple, and I dont like iTunes. I dont like macs either. If I get an MP3 player, I'll make sure it isn't one of those damned things. They infuriate me with what both of you have just said, and there is an alternative, so I go with it. I loath the day when there is no alternative and I am forced to deal with this bullshit DRM.

if(literalists->catholicChurch()) {
Jesus = mithra(Dionosys(Osiris(...)));
}

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posted by: TuLzie · date: 9:47pm - November 18 2008

I recently bought my self an 8 gig Ipod nano. After installing itunes and registering it, i discovered that i couldn't get music off of my sister's itunes library..... meaning we couldnt't share what was already bought and dl into our desktop. So while we have two accounts running on the same desktop.... we can't swap shit, unless i directly rip a cd on to itunes..... yea it sucks, Apple just wants you to use Apple stuff to make things "less complicated"

"we are our own devil, we are our own devil.... and we''ll make this world our hell"

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