Microsoft added resource heavy DRM processes to Windows Vista in a move to “please” the content industry. I can’t think of another reason why they would add this kind of mechanisms if there would not be some kind of agreement between them and the content industry. Microsoft would have made such a big impact if Vista would not enforce digital rights management protections on content. The system would probably be more stable, faster and more resource friendly. Well, Microsoft decided to ensure that not only the needs of the consumers but also those of the content owners would be supported which makes me wonder which consumer would actually be pro DRM.
DRM Free Music Search
I found this interesting article at DRM Alternatives and would like to share it. DRM Free Music Search is a service that searches 19 music sites that offer – only – DRM free music. Some sites sell the music while others provide it for free to their visitors. The search uses Ajax to display the search results. Just enter a search term and watch how the results appear below the search box. Every result displays the title, the artist, the name of the album, the music site that hosts the file and the possible price of the file or album.
Remove DRM from WMV
It is relatively easy to remove drm from wmv files, all you need is the freeware called Fair Use 4 WM which you can downloaded in the latest version from yousendit. You need to prepare your system to be able to remove drm from wmv files, just take a look at the following steps. You need to uninstall Windows Media Player 11 if it is installed on your system. To do that go to the add / remove programs and check the show updates box as well.
RIAA Boycott
I’m sick and tired. Sick and tired of the RIAA, the Recording Industry Association of America, their methods, their pressure against their customers, their inability to cope with a new situation, their stubbornness and their greed. Instead of listening to their customers and possible customers they cling to their old ways of distribution and show an unbelievable ineffectiveness to cope with new technologies and ways of spreading music.
Remove DRM from your iTunes library
If you purchase songs from iTunes you will soon notice that the downloaded m4p files are protected and you will have troubles playing them in mp3 players or software players other than itunes and an iPod. Some users think that this is not the way it should be and even some governments seem to think that the connection between songs purchased in iTunes and the restrictions imposed are not legal in their country.
DRM Alternatives Blog
The following announcement is a shameless plug, I’m going to promote the new blog that I have created called DRM Alternatives. You will like the blog if you are fed up with the music industry and think that the relationship between artists and fans should be based on trust instead of mistrust which describes the current relationship.
Zune does not allow to share all songs
Microsoft’s answer to Apple’s iPod is getting some bad feedback lately. It turned out some months ago that shared songs, e.g. songs that you send another Zune user to his Zune, would only be playable for 3 days / times before they became useless. It did not even matter if the song contained DRM or not, all songs, even your own produced ones, would be limited to this.
