you had me at scrolling ♥

A rant about e-books, iPods, and DRM

2007-02-27T03:16:57Z

So I'm looking over the news at the multiple Harry Potter sites I go to daily and find myself upon a headline 'JK Rowling sues eBay'. You know what I say to that? Good for her, good for her! There are not that many people willing to stand up to something as big and diverted as eBay, not even the people who are scammed daily and have their credit cards stolen from them. I wish she could do the same with the Peer-to-Peer sharing sites, but alas, that won't be happening – unless she actually does take the time and look at the e-books that are being shared between fans on programs such as LimeWire, along with the audio files from the CDs that go from around $50 at retail price.

But what I'm really trying to get to is this, e-books, I'm pro for allowing them to be sold via the internet, but only on one circumstances. What if these files had a Digital Rights Management (DRM) on them? What if we created a special program that would allow them to be able to read these files, meaning that they would not be in the standard PDF format, without having access to functions such as copy and paste? I mean, isn't it considered plagiarism to just copy-and-paste a document into your own work? Isn't it stated that 'text in this book should not be reproduced in any shape or form'? This proves my statement; e-books should not have the ability to be copied onto a document, so why isn't a DRM reasonable?

Sure, there's an ongoing frustration on freedom of the consumer, but the customer isn't always right and people have to understand that or else it'll become something of the nature of "I want this CD for free, so I'm going to have it for free because I said so!" I'm not trying to say that what Steve Jobs is on about is bad, it's just it isn't financially correct to go towards what he wants to get to. The tags included on music files from the iTunes store are what keep me from begging my friends across the pond to send me a track that's not available on the US version of the store.

Yes, sometimes I do occasionally pirate a few files because of the difficulty of importing (which is why I'm trying to set up an import store to stop me, along with others, from continuing to lose these great artists their well deserved money) because of the fact that just one CD equals around $20 shipping-and-handling along with the price conversion. However, I will say that when a CD finally releases over here, I quickly go and split my copies and throw them in the trash, along with the files themselves.

Which is one thing I hope many consider doing: if you enjoy an album that much that you want a real copy, go and buy the actual CD with its original packaging. Trust me, they may be the highest quality online, but NOTHING compares to an official label produced CD. Not even your iPod Video or Nano can play it that good. And if you don't believe me, test it. IPods aren't the replacement for CDs, they weren't ever advertised for that, they were meant for people who don't want to carry around their CDs around the town. It's like the mobile phone, it wasn't made to replace your house phone, but instead make communication more remote.

Want a cold beer?

2007-02-17T05:32:23Z

My dad showed us this and I took pictures.

Essay Exploring the Depths of Music

2007-01-24T19:24:44Z

To me, the world is something that everyone should be exploring by the time they graduate from higher education as it provides a sense of freedom that one can devour from the experience of finding about new things and being able to identify with them in different aspects of like.

To give an example of this, I will go back to the time of 2002, during this point in my life I was afraid of many things such as opening up to people and giving my own opinion to what I thought in life. From there, I was introduced to a number of different media sources such as the BBC, Newsround, and numerous other circulated media.

Being able to communicate with my newly found friends about the things that mattered during that year helped me to understand that I had a right to speak and that I shouldn’t waste my life by trying to keep quiet about what I thought was right and what was wrong. At the same time, it was very complicated to explain how I felt about my current situation at a point that I never want to go back to. From my explorations of different areas, I was able to figure out that maybe this world isn’t as small as I thought it was, maybe there’s something out there that none has discovered.

Before 2004 I had never heard of BBC Radio 1, but yes as stated before I had used the BBC website as a reference beforehand but had never actually took the time to look deeper into it.

My first expression of the media played on the station was that it was a bit awkward listening to a different accent and style than of my own country, but I soon realized that it was more than just your average thirty minutes of music an hour, it was more than just a commercial-free station that ran off a playlist, except it was neither the two.

Radio 1 opened my eyes beyond the typical pop, R&B, and dance music that our typical US stations played constantly, and into the world of friendly people who actually cared about you and allowed you to be yourself and not make you do the annoying I JUST WON ONE MILLION DOLLARS scream—it was perfect and ranged between different variations of music and interviews that I constantly enjoyed.

If it wasn’t for this station, I wouldn’t be able to say that I liked the sound of the underground, the rocking indie bands that expressed themselves freely, and the tunes that made the eighties and nineties what they were. My life would have probably been different, as frankly, today’s popular artists in the US don’t actually have a purpose to them. They’re either short-lived, one-hit wonders who don’t take the music industry seriously and just want a quick dollar to live their life as if they had made a difference to the world.

One example would be JoJo, yes I know she has many songs that have made the top ten but is it really necessary to wear a jacket with your stage name embroidered on the back? You only have one or two hits to start with, does that automatically make you a hotshot? It’s different when it’s Jennifer Lopez or Madonna, but come on, you’re not even a teenager at that point and already have your record company to tell you to go and do that, that’s just fraud.

And then there’s actresses like that one girl from High School Musical that get signed by a label and already have some rapper singing about how amazing she is, that’s also considered forgery as you aren’t really putting yourself out there as a real person and are trying to look good so that you actually get into the charts. I just think today’s record labels are a huge sham and should listen to people when they’re told what they want to accomplish with their career and what they need to do to ensure that they get what they want out of it.

There’s also that one thing about the US record labels, they won’t sign many of the actual good people that have a lot of potential to actually succeed. For instance, The Killers, they were rejected by a US label after making a decent audience in Las Vegas, Nevada, so what did they do? They went to London, automatically got signed and gained everyone’s interest and released a chunk of their CD, Hot Fuss, as singles. So what do the US labels get from that? Oh yes, since you’re popular in the United Kingdom, we’ll be glad to sign you with our company after we told you that you wouldn’t sell a single record with a voice like that.

Well, that’s not exactly how it happened, but I think by now, the reader would have an understanding of what I wanted to express in this statement of how it is to be rejected by a record company and then them crawling on their knees to get you back overseas and make them some money with your amazing ability to generate a crowd of people who know all the words to your songs and have pictures of you all over their bedroom walls.

Of course, people over here hate songwriters and are so afraid of letting them assign the rules that need to be met by their label in order for them to sign them. They are not willing to let them have a chance at proving that they can run their own career and do not need a middle-aged man feeding them lyrics that they need to sing their hearts out to to make him a happy and wealthy man at the end. In most cases, this will probably hinder your chances of making a dime as that old guy probably gets paid more for writing the cliche piece than you’d get for putting your soul into it to make it the best record of the year and played all over the world.

I believe there is some discrimination in the music industry as instead of promoting the singers that can actually sing and make a beautiful impression on anyone’s faces, the media instead focuses on the plastic models who have to have their vocals taken into a computer and tweaked to sound better so that no one can notice that they actually lack all the talent that is needed to make a quality record.

What has happened to this world, why is everything so fake nowadays, why can’t we respect James Blunt for who he is and not exploit his voice as being girlish-sounding. Which by the way, I’m not sure why everyone thinks that as I myself think he has a beautiful voice. Music is unique and every piece has a different meaning to it, whether you understand this meaning is another story and shouldn’t be the reason why you critic is as a one star on the iTunes music store. In reality, someone’s bound to enjoy the music and I don’t think they want to hear you complain about how the song is dull and needs to be rewritten to sound better when to them it marks an important significance to them.

I’m not saying that a lot of the music today is bad, but instead, just trying to point out that many of these so called “best song ever” should be reconsidered. I mean, I used to think that every song that came out on the radio was brilliant and marked it as “best song ever” at every forum I went to, but I’ve changed since then and have allowed myself explore different areas of music and have a better opinion on the music I like and want to hear now that I’m much older and can think for myself.

School cancelled

2007-01-17T23:18:12Z

So school was cancelled today and what have I done all day? I've been laying on my arse all day listeing to the radio.

My eye problem

2007-01-15T23:49:50Z

So I'm kinda worried about next week. I have to go see the eye doctor that I haven't been to in like three years because he said he was going to meet up with other doctors and research my problem. If you haven't noticed on my pictures, I have this bump on my eye. It can be removed in most cases, but not in mine as it keeps on growing. Like, it's a type of worm that the doctors are afraid to remove because it might kill me since it's been there since birth.

Emma Watson is an idiot

2006-11-23T02:31:35Z

Yeah, so who would have thought she'd be stupid enough to let her friend post pictures of her on the internet.

Illegal drinking...

... And that's at SCHOOL!

More drinking...

Guess the HP Cast Member!

What the hell are they thinking posting this online?! I'm no longer a fan because of this, I thought they were decent people!

Hands

2006-11-19T16:54:22Z

Well, life has been good lately, but my hands are starting to act up. It all started when I got sick with the flu of some sort and then I tried to open a candy package (you know, Halloween sizes) and I couldn’t do it, my hands were just too sore. So, I ended up going to the doctor and he said it was because I’ve been typing too much (as in doing 1,000 words per minute). I’ll probably have to change my career because of this.

Bleh!

2006-11-04T06:28:34Z

Yeah, so this week has been like shite, some stupid arguments just broke out and screwed everything up. Just total crap really.

Happy Candy Day!

2006-11-01T04:10:54Z

Happy candy day!

Something is seriously wrong with my hand, it hurts like feck!

No, I didn't forget about this!

2006-10-30T01:37:41Z

My computer has been fixed for a few weeks now, by the way!

PSAT turned out to be horrible for me, hardly got through it. I only was given the standard twenty-five minutes for each section, which wasn't enough for me.

Before that I got ill for three days, and then this past week it's come back, which is really stupid and odd. Don't really know how it happened. I felt okay on the Friday before.

Oh yeah, and just check out my little MSN girl I photoshopped to look like me (besides my hair, it's a wig on her):

Besides that, nothing has really been happening. School has been very hectic, I usually don't get freetime anymore. Plus, of course, I've been in bed all week.

Going to make a mix CD now since I got some blank ones. Robbie William's new album is HAWT! I love it!

Late Friday Five

2006-08-13T05:15:22Z

1. What was the bravest thing you have ever done?

Gone through major surgeries

2. Describe the meanest thing you have ever done?

Idotoo many mean things to count, but I think the meanest was lying.

3. Tell us about the nicest thing anything anyone has done for you?

Well, this past year I was left alone on Christmas day, and someone dear to my heart stayed with me throughout it all, and that's the best thing a friend could do for you.

4. What was the most insane thing you have ever witnessed or done?

My friend running around screaming "HARRY POTTER HAS GIVEN DOBBY A SOCK!"

5. Describe the most "out of character" thing you secretly want to do?

I'm always out of character, hahaha.

Sigh

2006-08-06T12:27:44Z

Well, things didn't tuen out so good yesterday. I still haven't fixed the computer.

This family is really starting to fall apart. I remember when we could talk without shouting. My mum got into her usual state of "What are you doing?!" when I wander into the livingroom. I live there, why am I always questioned for it?

Yeah, well, yesterday my dad took my brother (ha! I don't ignore him!) with him to his cousin, or whatever. I don't know how they're all related to us, honestly! My mum argued that he shouldn't go, and this was the last time she'd let him go. She also told him he had an hour and kept calling him on the cell. Then a hour passed and she called him, telling him off for not leaving yet. Then she told him he had ten minutes to leave. So, he ended up drinking a lot. Hours passed and they still hadn't left. Then he wouldn't answer his phone and mum left messages like "FUCK OFF YOU ASSHOLE, SHIT, FUCK YOU" and so I got really mad. Oh, and like she's taking prescribed morphine and you're not to have alcohol with that stuff, and then she goes and drinks a whole BOTTLE of wine.

It pisses me off, really! I will not put up with this shite any longer. It's like, she doesn't care about me watching her to this to herself. She offered me a sip of wine too and got all mad when I said no, saying that I could make my own choices now. Well, there you go, I made my choice and wet with a no. I'm not stupid enough to listen to someone who's abusing their medication!

I'll like to introduce you to an arse

2006-08-05T05:25:29Z

Travis: *cough*Sellout.*cough*
Me: What?
Travis: Why did you sellout and sell SP?
Me: I didn't.
Me: I just had someone pay for the hosting.
Me: And who told you this?
Travis: No one.
Travis: When a screen goes from a splash page to nothing, something is going on.
Me: No, it just means you're a dumbarse who just thinks it's always something stupid.
Travis: Oh...
Travis: So we're talking about dumbasses now?
Travis: Well, maybe you should take a look in the GD mirror.
Me: :P.

What crawled up his arse, really?!

Anyway, I accidently broke my computer by deleting the boot file. I'll have to go fix it tomorrow. I'm on this fecking old laptop now. Only has around 6.04 GB and is running XP Professional!

My back is killing me!

Friday Five

2006-08-05T04:59:13Z

1. How much time do you spend on the Internet daily?

Eighteen at most. Most of the time it's less though.

2. What are your favorite 3 websites?

BBC, Google, and CNN

3. Do you eat at your computer?

YES!!!

4. Pick one and why - Reading the news online or in a newspaper?

Online - Your hands don't get black ink all over them and it's easy to make the text bigger. Plus, it's good for taking quotes from: copy and paste.

5. How many people are on your instant messenger buddy list?

441 - Most whom I hardly talk to nowadays

Yes, yes yes!

2006-08-04T05:33:52Z

Lopez Drops Out of 'Dallas'

Jennifer Lopez has abruptly quit the much-anticipated big screen remake of classic 1970s show Dallas. The Maid In Manhattan actress was set to star opposite John Travolta - who will play JR Ewing - as his alcoholic wife Sue Ellen. Shirley MacLaine is in talks to star as Ewing family matriarch Miss Ellie and Luke Wilson is rumored to be taking on the role of Bobby Ewing. Lopez's representative Leslie Sloane Zelnick confirms to American publication Star, "She is out of Dallas." This isn't the first report of trouble regarding the film - earlier this year, Legally Blonde director Robert Luketic quit the project citing "creative differences" and was reportedly unhappy with casting choices. Bend It Like Beckham director Gurinder Chadha is now attached to direct the film. The role of Lucy Ewing has also been the subject of much speculation, with many of Hollywood's top young actresses vying for the part including Jessica Simpson, Lindsay Lohan and Kristin Cavallari. The role ultimately went to 19-year-old Katie Cassidy, who stars in the US family drama 7th Heaven.

Best thing to ever happen today.

About to be Friday!

2006-08-04T05:20:20Z

My legs ache from walking a mile awhile ago.

Someone has convinced me to open my website again. Well, they've paid for a reseller account. I'm not too keen on it actually as it brought me into the experience of actually having to deal with the press. And, I'm not talking about the good press. It's just one of those things I don't really want to get into, but I guess I'll have to do it for the thousands of fans.

ATTENTION PhpBB USERS!

For some reason the recent version of PhpBB is now getting bots to register and getting through the confirm code. It seems like every forum is getting the dirty bastards. I suggest to go ahead and update the forum as stated here, just to not clog up the discussions and MySQL databases on your servers:

http://www.phpbb.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=421926&highlight=bots

Pig Dice

2006-08-03T05:22:24Z

He's giving away a pair of PIG DICE, hahahaha!

Oh, and Lily Allen is making herself look like a bitch. Madonna is not overrated! You're a loudmouth you fecking arse!

Random list

2006-08-03T05:09:22Z

Once you've been tagged, you have to write a blog with six random facts about yourself. In the end you need to choose six people to be tagged and list their names.

1. I love to look at Wikipedia and IMDB just to learn general knowledge. It works my brain and makes me smarter at the same thing. LOL.

2. I laugh everytime I listen to the Robbie Williams song "Rudebox" at that low-voiced guy: "Why you so nasty?"

3. I'll say I'll HATE a song, but then it'll end up on my iPod!

4. I can't stand when people pronounce my lastname wrong.

5. I can't stand when girls go about how they're so lonely and how they want a boyfriend so much. I happen to LOVE the single life, and I don't have to put up making time for that special someone. I'm busy all the time anyway!

6. I think sex is overrated, honestly. It bores me to death, but I'm not ready for that kind of stuff yet. I think it's something to share with one person and only that person. Yet, I hear about girls doing it with everyone nowadays, and that's just gross!

I didn't bother tagging anyone by the way. But, if you want to, you can do it.

Get a life, really!

2006-08-02T04:38:40Z

You know what, Lindsay Lohan needs a life. Honestly. She gets herself hospitalized AGAIN and yet she continues with her stupid rave-like party habits. She's a model to all girls (except to the whores that look up to Paris Hilton) and yet she acts like she doesn't care!

I absolutely agree with James G. Robinson 100% when it comes to her opinion. Hasn't she been told this many times before? Fame isn't all about partying until you get tired at the end of the day! It's about being able to do the best you can and hope that a good outcome will develop sooner or later. She won't win a Oscar like that. No one WANTS someone like that at the awards show. You don't get an Oscar for producing crap. If you did, she would have already earned one from her songs on her overrated films.

She's basically the reason McFly was never able to break out in the US; she basically treated them like shite in the media. She calls herself a respected girl and yet she can't give any credit to these lovely blokes! "Oh, they're just doing it for the publicity!" Publicity my arse! She's the one doing that crap!

Oh, and just to let you know, I'm not anti-Lindsay, but she tends to try and get away with every little thing. I know someone like that, and no one likes a drama queen. We're nice to you in person and all, but we all talk shite about you behind your back. We would like you better if you would just listen at least for once!

The Birthday Boy

2006-08-01T17:59:27Z

Me: Hey.
Matt: Hi, I'm just going out. I am from today legally allowed to buy alcohol, so my dad is insisting I buy him a beer. So, I'm going to do just that.

YAY! HAPPY 18th Matt!

Haha!

2006-08-01T04:31:07Z

Reggie Yates said whoever wrote Paris Hilton's "Stars are Blind" probably are hanging their head in shame at the moment. LOL!

She made #35 on this week's official chart in the UK. She's currently #29 in the US. YUCK!

"God help us all" LMAO!!!!

I feel like I've been plotted against

2006-07-31T19:56:24Z

Really, I hate that Jehovah Witnesses tend to come back to your houses until you become one, and it's not just because my aunt's one. She told my mum that I was evil only for the reason that I loved Harry Potter.

And now, years later, she's going to become one of them. If I was a baby, I wouldn't mind, but I've been through so many Easters, so many Halloweens, so many Christmases; I have no way of how I'll take it.

Last year I spent Christmas alone for the first time (well, my online friend from England was on), and I felt so useless. Now I'll have to spend it alone for the rest of the time I live in this household. I mean, now eeryone will think I'm evil just because I'm a normal person who's stuck to her catholic religion since she was born!

Well, there's always that English friend I can depend on. *sigh*

Wow

2006-07-31T03:28:43Z

So Top of the Pops is finally history.

Man, I wish I could have at least seen it once. I've seen so many clips and stuff in the past, but I've never seen an actual full run of it. They don't air it on BBC America, or at least it's very, very, very rare that they do.

Oh well, RIP TOTP!

Why can't people just understand the legal terms of downloadable media?

2006-07-30T17:21:09Z

Does anyone but me hate those iTunes music store iMixes that say "GET SEXYBACK!!!!" and stuff like that asking for tracks? People have no respect nowadays. When the record companies allow for it to be added for download, it'll get there! If they listened to everyone, they'd get closed down. Although, I wish iTunes would just simply state that they are unable to do that.

Also, I hate that people say they have to download their favourite indie band's stuff from illegal P2P just because it isn't on iTunes. Why can't you just ask them to consider signing up with Apple? They'd get more fans and make a bit of cash doing so! Just one e-mail is all it takes!