[Scottish] Fwd: [macinfo] How YOU can help make the BBCMac-friendly, again

[Philip Ward]

DRM - Digital Restrictions Management (although the media call it
Digital Rights Management).
It's a way of taking control away from a computer's users and giving
it to media companies.
For example the BBC iplayer is supposed to "expire" downloaded shows
after a certain amount of time. The only way they can do that is to
use DRM as follows:

Downloaded shows are in an encrypted proprietary format that will only
work with iplayer and cannot be viewed with other software (at least
not without some proprietary iplayer plugin for Windows Media Player
for example).
iplayer itself is proprietary and cannot be modified by users.
iplayer is programmed to REFUSE to play shows that are older than the
prescribed amount of time.

So DRM is about making your computer refuse to obey you - its owner.

Phil.

On 20/02/07, Robert Barbour <rlbarbour at castleventures.fsnet.co.uk> wrote:
> What's DRM?
>
> The one thing I hate most is TLAs!
>
> Regards
> Rob Barbour
>
>
> ========================================
>  Message Received: Feb 20 2007, 01:31 PM
>  From: "Philip Ward" <philward at bigfoot.com>
>  To: "SLUG-list" <scottish at mailman.lug.org.uk>
>  Cc:
>  Subject: Re: [Scottish] Fwd: [macinfo] How YOU can help make the BBC
>         Mac-friendly, again
>
>  Don't forget to air your views on the DRM side of it as well.
>  DRM is the only way that they can make programs expire after 7 days.
>  Without the DRM series stacking becomes a non issue.
>
>  Phil.
>
>  On 20/02/07, Kyle Gordon <kyle at lodge.glasgownet.com> wrote:
>  > Thought this would be quite relevant for us. The more people that pester the
>  > BBC for proper cross-platform support, the better.
>  >
>  > Kyle
>  > ----------  Forwarded Message  ----------
>  >
>  > Subject: Fwd: [macinfo] How YOU can help make the BBC Mac-friendly, again
>  > Date: Tuesday 20 Feb 2007
>  > From: Ian Thompson <mail at ianthompson.me.uk>
>  > To: Kyle Gordon <kyle at lodge.glasgownet.com>
>  >
>  > Also valid for linux users .... of interest
>  >
>  > Ian
>  >
>  >
>  > >To: macinfo at ncl.ac.uk
>  > >Cc: PeterSCOTT Scott <p.j.d.scott at durham.ac.uk>
>  > >From: Peter Scott <peter.scott at nottingham.ac.uk>
>  > >Date: Mon, 19 Feb 2007 22:11:42 +0000
>  > >X-Mailer: Apple Mail (2.752.2)
>  > >Subject: [macinfo] How YOU can help make the BBC Mac-friendly, again
>  > >
>  > >[FYI - From MacFormat]
>  > >http://www.macformat.co.uk/page/macformat?entry=how_you_can_help_make
>  > >
>  > >You're probably aware by now that the BBC has been given the
>  > >go-ahead for its On-Demand Online TV service. Its new iPlayer
>  > >software will enable you to watch programs online for 7 days after
>  > >they are broadcast.
>  > >
>  > >There's one big problem for Mac users - it's not Mac compatible.
>  > >
>  > >But here's the good news - there is something that YOU can do about it.
>  > >
>  > >The BBC is putting its new service up for public consultation.
>  > >Simply answers the questions, but question 5 is the key one for Mac users.
>  > >
>  > >"How important is it that the proposed seven-day catch-up service
>  > >over the internet is available to consumers who are not using
>  > >Microsoft software?"
>  > >
>  > >You'd be surprised how influential just a few responses can be, so
>  > >motivating as many Mac owners as you know to contribute would be
>  > >good. Just send them a link to this story.
>  > >
>  > >The Trust is required to pay attention to the consultation and it
>  > >really is worth making a representation. This is probably the
>  > >biggest change to broadcasting methods the BBC has had to face since
>  > >the introduction of commercial television, so they need to get it right.
>  > >
>  > >Please pass this on to all the Mac owners you know.
>  >
>  >
>  >
>  > -------------------------------------------------------
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