Some of Joglaresa are doing a short free concert on Monday, to try out new material. I can't go, having a rehearsal in Norwich for the concert on Saturday. If anyone else would like to go, and do a review for me...
French Medieval Song
Jennie Cassidy – voice
Belinda Sykes – voice
Hugh Webb – harp
6pm – 7pm Monday 5 March
Holy Cross Church, Cromer Street, London WC1H 8JU
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Regulation, regulation, regulation
Herewith the response to the e-petition on DRM issues, with apologies for length of post and the distant wails of tortured grammar. Mercifully brief editorial comments are below.
"Digital rights issues have been gaining increasing prominence as innovation accelerates, more and more digital media products and services come onto the market and the consumer wants to get access to digital content over different platforms. Many content providers have been embedding access and management tools to protect their rights and, for example, prevent illegal copying. We believe that they should be able to continue to protect their content in this way. However, DRM does not only act as a policeman through technical protection measures, it also enables content companies to offer the consumer unprecedented choice in terms of how they consume content, and the corresponding price they wish to pay.
It is clear though that the needs and rights of consumers must also be carefully safeguarded. It is reasonable for consumers to be informed what is actually being offered for sale, for example, and how and where the purchaser will be able to use the product, and any restrictions applied. While there is good reason to expect the market to reach a balance as these new markets develop, it is important that consumers' interests are maintained in the meantime.
Apart from the APIG (All Party Internet Group) report on DRM referred to in your petition, Digital Rights issues are an important component in other major HMG review strands on Intellectual Property, New Media and the Creative Economy. In particular, the independent Gowers Review of Intellectual Property commissioned by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, published its report on 6th December 2006 as part of the Chancellor's Pre-Budget Report. Recommendations include introducing a limited private copying exception by 2008 for format shifting for works published after the date that the law comes into effect. There should be no accompanying levies for consumers. Also making it easier for users to file notice of complaints procedures relating to Digital Rights Management tools by providing an accessible web interface on the Patent Office website by 2008 and that DTI should investigate the possibility of providing consumer guidance on DRM systems through a labelling convention without imposing unnecessary regulatory burdens."
Point 1: Every time I read NuLaborSpeak, and particularly the now-debased word "choice", I look round for the soap-box which friends and relations have prudently hidden. You're in luck. I shall go and eat chocolate instead of ranting.
Point 2: The final sentence made me laugh. I'm imagining the labels. "Warning: may contain organised sound" or perhaps the all-purpose "May contain trace of nuts".
It may help to fix one system bug which allows the poor fool^Wbuyer to get all the way through, including payment, before discovering that the downloaded material comes in only one, proprietary, format. Generally, it appears to be taking a firm stance on a wobbly fence.
"Digital rights issues have been gaining increasing prominence as innovation accelerates, more and more digital media products and services come onto the market and the consumer wants to get access to digital content over different platforms. Many content providers have been embedding access and management tools to protect their rights and, for example, prevent illegal copying. We believe that they should be able to continue to protect their content in this way. However, DRM does not only act as a policeman through technical protection measures, it also enables content companies to offer the consumer unprecedented choice in terms of how they consume content, and the corresponding price they wish to pay.
It is clear though that the needs and rights of consumers must also be carefully safeguarded. It is reasonable for consumers to be informed what is actually being offered for sale, for example, and how and where the purchaser will be able to use the product, and any restrictions applied. While there is good reason to expect the market to reach a balance as these new markets develop, it is important that consumers' interests are maintained in the meantime.
Apart from the APIG (All Party Internet Group) report on DRM referred to in your petition, Digital Rights issues are an important component in other major HMG review strands on Intellectual Property, New Media and the Creative Economy. In particular, the independent Gowers Review of Intellectual Property commissioned by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, published its report on 6th December 2006 as part of the Chancellor's Pre-Budget Report. Recommendations include introducing a limited private copying exception by 2008 for format shifting for works published after the date that the law comes into effect. There should be no accompanying levies for consumers. Also making it easier for users to file notice of complaints procedures relating to Digital Rights Management tools by providing an accessible web interface on the Patent Office website by 2008 and that DTI should investigate the possibility of providing consumer guidance on DRM systems through a labelling convention without imposing unnecessary regulatory burdens."
Point 1: Every time I read NuLaborSpeak, and particularly the now-debased word "choice", I look round for the soap-box which friends and relations have prudently hidden. You're in luck. I shall go and eat chocolate instead of ranting.
Point 2: The final sentence made me laugh. I'm imagining the labels. "Warning: may contain organised sound" or perhaps the all-purpose "May contain trace of nuts".
It may help to fix one system bug which allows the poor fool^Wbuyer to get all the way through, including payment, before discovering that the downloaded material comes in only one, proprietary, format. Generally, it appears to be taking a firm stance on a wobbly fence.
Friday, February 16, 2007
Furious
So, vulture fund Donegal International has not quite won a court case to get $42m off Zambia, for a debt which the profiteers bought from Romania for less than $4m.
It's thought that "the judge will order Zambia to pay Donegal between $10m and $20m"[1]. Zambia had previously arranged to pay Romania $3m.
Makes one wonder what we can do - not only in this case, but to criminalise such businesses everywhere.
[1] http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/low/business/6365433.stm
It's thought that "the judge will order Zambia to pay Donegal between $10m and $20m"[1]. Zambia had previously arranged to pay Romania $3m.
Makes one wonder what we can do - not only in this case, but to criminalise such businesses everywhere.
[1] http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/low/business/6365433.stm
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Droooooool
Veggie and I are looking at places to buy.
I like this one and this one.
Both should work for B&B, and though I'd prefer the town-flat (I mean, just look at that stonework!), there may be leasehold problems with it. However, it's with the agent who is selling my cottage, and as I need to talk to them on Monday anyway... :)
And then there's this gorgeous place. Income from renting out one of them in tourist-season!
I like this one and this one.
Both should work for B&B, and though I'd prefer the town-flat (I mean, just look at that stonework!), there may be leasehold problems with it. However, it's with the agent who is selling my cottage, and as I need to talk to them on Monday anyway... :)
And then there's this gorgeous place. Income from renting out one of them in tourist-season!
Friday, February 09, 2007
It was a merry Yulemas
ALUG's Yulemas (2005) Dinner last night was successful in spite of sadly missing some people, because of the weather and threats of icy roads, and because of 'flu (gws Noodles), and because of imminent and late baby-arrival (good luck wildduck and quinophex).
There were 17 of us at the meal, and two more joined for beer afterwards. I think this may be a record. Not that there have been that many ALUG meals...
So many highlights. Carols, with ironchicken's beautiful bass line. Teatime stripping to display his tattoo (he claimed it means "if you can read this you're on the wrong side" but quickly changed his plea to "if you can read this you're over-educated"). Rob wearing Becca's wings and flying down the pub like a large cross between a bee and Dennis the Menace. Viv getting hooked on katsmeat's Palm games.
Where are the photos? Somebody shake paul_c!
There were 17 of us at the meal, and two more joined for beer afterwards. I think this may be a record. Not that there have been that many ALUG meals...
So many highlights. Carols, with ironchicken's beautiful bass line. Teatime stripping to display his tattoo (he claimed it means "if you can read this you're on the wrong side" but quickly changed his plea to "if you can read this you're over-educated"). Rob wearing Becca's wings and flying down the pub like a large cross between a bee and Dennis the Menace. Viv getting hooked on katsmeat's Palm games.
Where are the photos? Somebody shake paul_c!
Wednesday, February 07, 2007
Singing in the mountains
For two weeks I didn't look closely at the invitation to sing in Switzerland in May, but then Mon emailed and I had to reply... which meant of course that I said yes.
So... Ernen in southern Switz, near the Italian border. There's a train from Paris to the next town, then bus.
So... Ernen in southern Switz, near the Italian border. There's a train from Paris to the next town, then bus.
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