Good Copy Bad Copy is a documentary about modern copyright and its effect on the progression of culture… or should that be progression of culture’s effect on the future of copyright. Shared by the Pirate Bay, naturally.
Good Copy Bad Copy - XviD - The Pirate Bay
Does this mean the MPAA is in violation of the DMCA? Can you copyright and legally prevent the publication of a number? What about publishing the offset in Pi where this sequence exists? What about the content of a web page who’s hash is the AACS key? What about this two dimensional representation? Or this fantastic t-shirt?
Presumably, its not the key itself that is contestable, but rather the provision of information that informs one on how to use the key to bypass DRM, such as HOWTOs and software. However, these are just a sequence of numbers to, and they can be represented in a multitude of ways to. So how many layers of abstraction must there be before the actual information or tool is non-obvious, and can be published or linked to without fear? What if a DRM-breaking tool’s documentation and purpose is obfuscated using DRM, would that render the establishment of its purpose ‘illegal’?
In my, rather obvious, opinion, AACS, like all DRM, is a waste of time and money. Ultimately, it increases the cost of the product and decreases its usefulness.
The fact is, it is often faster and easier to download a DVD rip of a movie than it is to rip it from your own DVD. When competing in the market, you must assume your competitors are always trying to out-do you, and ‘internet piracy’ (for want of a better phrase) is just another competitor; the terms were set by economy, not by teenage file-sharers.
CIS, who own the Cooperative Bank, are well known for their ethical and green policies. Now they are cladding their entire building with solar panels, and installing wind turbines on the roof. I bank with these guys and have always been impressed by their service and their values.
“An unmanned hydrogen fuel cell powered jet made history this week as it took to the skies over the hills of Bern, Switzerland. The Hyfish astonished its creators as it flawlessly performed vertical climbs, loops and other aerial acrobatics at speeds reaching 200 km/h.”
A 747 produces about 65MW or power, which at an energy density of 1.5W/g, would require a fuel cell of about 43 metric tonnes. Given inevitable optimisation of this technology, they could perhaps, one day, be used in commercial airliners.
“Chemists at the University of California, San Diego have demonstrated the feasibility of exploiting sunlight to transform a greenhouse gas into a useful product.”
Device Uses Solar Energy to Convert Carbon Dioxide into Fuel
BBC NEWS | Science/Nature | Homes to get free energy monitors
This is very cool. A ‘free’ device that monitors and displays your power usage (and production) at any given moment. I want one.
This article describes a breakthrough in using dyes in solar cells rather than silicon, mimicking the natural process of photosynthesis much more closely. This results in cheaper, more environmentally friendly and efficient solar cells, which work in low light conditions as well (so great for Blighty!).
Solar power breakthrough at Massey - New Zealand news on Stuff.co.nz
Hydrogen Solar also have some interesting tech. Direct solar electrolysis. Basically, their solar cells convert water directly to hydrogen and oxygen without the niggly middle step. The upshot is efficiency in energy conversion as well as efficiency in power storage (i.e. as hydrogen which can be converted into electricity via fuel cells). One would still need to implement hydrogen storage as well as a fuel cell stack, but its one step closer to an integrated solution for residential or mobile use.
The Apple TV looks like an amazing piece of hardware, we actually have one, but overlooked the fact we would need a HDMI or component adapter of some kind, damn. However, I would love this device to be able to play other codecs, and to be able to playback from a regular samba or appletalk share. Seems I am not alone, however, since the product has already gone an overwhelming degree of hackery. Apple TV Hacks has a summary of new hacks as they come out; every time I have been there, something new has been achieved!
This device may well replace our trusted (but unsightly) xbox+xbmc solution as the media centre of choice within a few weeks.
Print-your-own counter-marketing stickers for Windows Vista.Painting A Day
Date: 02/22/09
Fact x Importance
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