Did you get caught sharing files? Engadget's attorney/columnist says paying up is your best bet. If you're really innocent, you better start documenting your case right away.
Know Your Rights: What to do when the RIAA comes calling - Engadget
Can five CD’s worth of material really be called A Brief History of Timbaland Beats?
(5:37:06 PM) mrshl: seen any good movies lately?
(5:37:12 PM) niece: hot rod
(5:37:12 PM) mrshl: heard any good songs?
(5:37:13 PM) niece: lol
(5:37:19 PM) mrshl: you saw hot rod?
(5:37:21 PM) niece: haha that mobvie is sosooo funy
(5:37:22 PM) mrshl: i want to see that.
(5:37:25 PM) niece: omg its halourious
(5:37:36 PM) niece: but its dummber than nacho lebra
(5:37:40 PM) niece: lol..i think
(5:37:44 PM) mrshl: well, i will soon get my chance.
(5:37:48 PM) mrshl: to see if you are right.
(5:37:57 PM) niece: curse of curves
(5:38:00 PM) niece: i like that song
(5:38:16 PM) niece: cute is what we aim for
(5:38:36 PM) mrshl: i have no idea what those are.
(5:38:51 PM) niece: its a band
(5:38:53 PM) niece: and a song
(5:38:56 PM) mrshl: curse of curves is?
(5:39:04 PM) mrshl: sounds vaguely feminist.
(5:39:48 PM) niece: ??
(5:39:54 PM) mrshl: sorry.
(5:39:58 PM) mrshl: i forget you are 13.
(5:40:20 PM) mrshl: or is it 14?
(5:40:27 PM) niece: /13
(5:40:29 PM) niece: lol
(5:41:20 PM) mrshl: i’m watching the video now.
(5:41:27 PM) niece: what
(5:41:36 PM) mrshl: curse of curves.
(5:41:43 PM) niece: really
(5:41:44 PM) niece: lol
(5:41:45 PM) niece: funny
(5:41:52 PM) mrshl: thanks to the you tube.
(5:42:31 PM) niece: i use aol
(5:42:39 PM) niece: for vidoes and itunes for songs
(5:42:40 PM) mrshl: dude. this is too sexy for teh kids.
(5:42:48 PM) niece: what are you talking about
(5:42:49 PM) niece: lol
(5:42:53 PM) mrshl: i’m scandalized.
(5:42:54 PM) niece: the video
(5:42:57 PM) niece: ?
(5:43:01 PM) mrshl: yes. the video.
(5:43:10 PM) niece: i have it on my ipod the sng and the vidoe a
(5:43:17 PM) niece: mom say it
(5:43:21 PM) niece: saw**
(5:43:30 PM) mrshl: well, it’s not terrible.
(5:43:34 PM) niece: lol
(5:43:35 PM) niece: i no
(5:43:38 PM) mrshl: i mean, not my cup of tea.
(5:43:43 PM) niece: i doesnt soo anything really
(5:43:47 PM) niece: yea
(5:44:07 PM) mrshl: but similar to panic at the disco and fall out boy.
(5:44:21 PM) niece: yea very much like so
(5:44:26 PM) niece: i like them to
(5:44:27 PM) niece: both
(5:44:30 PM) mrshl: i figured.
[kml_flashembed movie="http://www.youtube.com/v/UAQcNo9yWbM" width="425" height="350" wmode="transparent" /]
Perhaps you’ve heard of the Guitar Hero, the Playstation 2 and Xbox 360 game that uses a guitar shaped controller. Its upcoming competitor, Rock Band, originally announced for just the next-gen systems Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 was just announced to now include Playstation 2 as one of it’s platforms. The difference in Rock Band is that it supports two guitar controllers, vocals, and a small drum kit all at once, hence the name. Guitar Hero has been an amazing hit, consistently staying at the top of the charts even after being out for more than a year, an almost unheard of feat in gaming. The sequels Guitar Hero II and Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80’s have also done blockbuster sales.
I still think Guitar Hero will come out on top, with it’s more intricate songs and built in install base but Rock band coming to PS2 really complicate things, especially if it supports the Guitar Hero controller and Karaoke Revolution microphones. That way, someone who already has those just has to pick up the drum kit and they’re ready to go. Since the PS2, PS3, and 360 all have USB ports, they could conceivably have just a single version of the drums.
Matt (thekassette) pointed me to Simplify Media a while back: a free program that lets you share your iTunes library with friends over the Web. Now, you can stream music to your pals in Austin and Chicago—or vice versa.
Interestingly, the software leverages capabilities iTunes has had all along. When iTunes 4.0 was first released, the included Bonjour software (then called Rendezvous) allowed users to share their libraries with friends over the Internet as long as they were connected to the Web. Unfortunately, Apple crippled the feature shortly after release when they discovered people were actually using it. Since 4.0.1, only people on a shared network have been able to share libraries. A number of software developers released plug-ins and programs that got around this restriction, but they’ve always skirted the edge of legality.
Now, Simplify has restored the lost capability and done so in a way they claim is completely legal. You can invite up to 30 of your closest friends and share your iTunes library, no matter where you are. My guess is that the 30-invite limit is part of what keeps Simplify on the kosher side of copyright law.
User limit notwithstanding, being able to check out tracks on your pal’s computer is pretty swell. As soon as your friends come online, they show up in the iTunes interface. Then, you can click on their name in the left-hand menu, and browse their library just like your own. Oh, and you know what’s really cool/scary? Your friends don’t even have to be running iTunes in order for you to see their songs. I found this out the other day:
Matt: someone should throw a band together to cover “transaction de novo” from beginning to end and do it at like the rothko or something
me: i don’t know what or who that is.
Matt: oh sorry, awesome bedhead album. i’m listening to it from yr machine right now!
me: oh! is that the new one?
Matt: no, it’s super old
me: ah. i’ve not hit it in quite a while. i downloaded that a while back and haven’t given it a shot. i love most everything by them, though. i’ve been really digging the new one a lot.
now i remember it’s called 23. easily their most poppy record.
me: wait, i’m not even running itunes, i didn’t know you could access my library.
Matt: that’s the beauty of simplify, as long as it’s pointed at yr music folder and running, i can use it
me: okay. THAT is cool.
Anyway, I’ve been using the software, and it works pretty much as advertised. If you fancy sharing music beyond your home network, I highly recommend it. If you’re not an iTunes user, the Simplify Web site promises they’re working on versions for Windows Media Player and Winamp.
I’m a lawyer and health care compliance analyst. I’m also an incredibly lazy rock musician. But I don’t write much about these things. Instead, this is mostly a place for me to engage in an occasional bit of Web dorkery / punditry.
I don't post here all that often. I encourage you to check out my more active link blog life is a thrill. It's basically a random stream of awesome, and it's perfectly calibrated for your workaday, ADD lifestyle.