mgraham333

Ok, I guess I am the fanatic here. I picked them up at midnight and watched Star Wars early this morning. In terms of picture and sound quality, these films have never looked or sounded better. I'm learning to live with (not love) the changes that have been made. Regardless, it's great to finally have these available on DVD. As far as I'm concerned the classic trilogy was the reason for DVD technology.

Record labels and Microsoft are in discussions about ways that the next generation of the Windows operating system, code-named Longhorn, can support copy-protected CD technology. The music labels, in large part led by top executives at EMI Group and coordinated through their U.S. and international trade associations, are creating a "wish list" of CD rights protection features they want to see provided or supported by Longhorn. Microsoft, in turn, has provided its own set of guidelines for the labels, without yet promising anything, sources familiar with the situation said. The labels are far from unanimous on their thoughts about how to use, or even whether to use, copy protection technology on CDs. But sources said most are eager to avoid being locked into Microsoft technology and want to ensure that Longhorn provides a platform for copy protection that is at least as consumer-friendly as Apple Computer's iTunes Music Store. "We're asking Microsoft to put in a framework--not to say what the rules are," said EMI Music North America Chairman David Munns, who has helped coordinate discussions among the music labels. "This would solve consumer confusion and help make the whole thing a much more friendly and easier consumer experience." The discussions over copy protection and Longhorn are in some sense very theoretical, based on expectations of future technology developments and future consumer behavior. The music labels have been experimenting with ways of putting new copy controls on CDs for several years but have released only a few albums with the technology in the United States, with mixed success. Microsoft's next operating system is also far from release. The company recently pushed back Longhorn's planned launch date until late 2006, and it is still working out details of a "Secure Computing" plan that some have said would help make digital rights management technologies much stronger. However, EMI, in particular, has previously talked with Microsoft about ways to make copy protection a simpler experience by building support more deeply into the operating system, Munns said. One idea from the record label side would be to let the operating system recognize a CD, when it is put in the tray, and automatically set in motion whatever usage rules have been specified by the label itself on the CD. This might include limits on the number of copies that can be made or what rules would be associated with a digitally "ripped" file, for example. Today's copy protection technologies are more rudimentary, often including software on the CDs themselves, and have little interaction with the operating system. As a result, they are often easily bypassed and are very obvious to consumers. The most recent discussions with Microsoft were initiated by the labels, Munns said. The software company agreed to consider their requests but in turn asked that the music industry come to a consensus on its requests, other sources added. Led in part by EMI, labels have subsequently been developing their wish list for at least a month, with discussions that have included the major and larger independent labels. Representatives from the RIAA are scheduled to meet with Microsoft on Sept. 20 to discuss the requests, sources said. Labels are primarily adamant that the operating system allow non-Microsoft copy protection technologies to function as transparently as Windows Media's own digital rights management tools. They also want to ensure that the operating system avoids treating the protected CDs in any way that might prompt consumer backlash, sources said. "Longhorn done the right way could really advance that cause," one source familiar with the talks said. "Longhorn done the wrong way could significantly frustrate everyone involved." Microsoft, in turn, has communicated to the labels that it does not want to support technologies that might be viewed by consumers as aggressive or potentially related to spyware, sources said. No hard decisions have been made on either side, sources said. The meeting next week is likely to be the beginning of a series of discussions between the software company and the music business, as the operating system comes closer to completion. So far, Microsoft has been very open to working with the labels, Munns said. A Microsoft representative declined to comment on the issue. Munns said the drive would not be limited to Microsoft's operating system. The music companies have also had early conversations with Apple, and the framework of requests that develops from the industry wish list will be provided to any company that makes operating systems or digital rights management tools. "Our fate as an industry--what we offer consumers, how we protect content and how the content is played--is inextricably intertwined with the technology companies and the platforms they offer," RIAA President Cary Sherman said. "We have to be in dialogue with them." source: News.com

I just had my upper 2 wisdom teeth removed yesterday. I was under general anesthetic for the first time....kind of interesting experience... No complications, the teeth were fully erupted so the extraction wasn't that complicated. I slept most of the day after the procedure but by that evening was in pretty good shape. I'm already back at work. I wish everyone could have it as easy as it's been for me.

If you need any more proof that RIAA and it's supporters want to move away from the concept of music on physical media to a music "subscription" so that you essentially have to pay each time you listen to a song, check this out: Digital radio recording unnerves industry New technology seen as possible alternative to P2P By Alex Veiga The Associated Press Updated: 4:29 p.m. ET Sept. 3, 2004 LOS ANGELES - Technologies that let people record satellite and Internet radio broadcasts digitally are opening a new front in the recording industry's war on music piracy. Until recently, the music industry focused its efforts on the widespread sharing of music files online. But a proliferation of software that make recording radio streams a breeze now has recording companies worried. The latest trouble comes of a hardware/software combination that has catalyzed a new type of backdoor recording: A program called TimeTrax, developed to record broadcasts from XM Satellite Radio's PCR receiver, spurred huge demand for the receiver from XM subscribers. And for that reason the PCR appears to have been discontinued. TimeTrax lets users store XM broadcasts, channeled through the PCR receiver, on a computer as individual tracks in the MP3 or WAV formats. Recordings can be scheduled at different times over multiple broadcasts. Since the TimeTrax program debuted on the Internet earlier this month, XM retailers like St. Louis' XMFan.com saw a crush of demand for the PCR units, which first hit the market about a year ago for under $50. PCR receivers were selling for upwards of $300 on eBay on Tuesday, and the founder of the company that distributes TimeTrax said XM's lawyers had written him asking that he stop selling the program. XM stops selling device XMFan.com's manager, Tim Morris, said XM officials had canceled his order this month for more PCRs. He said he'd been inundated with requests from interested buyers. "If we had 5,000 in the last two days we could have sold all of them," he said. Morris said the company told him that it would not be distributing PCRs to him or anyone else. The Associated Press left telephone messages and sent e-mail to several spokesmen for Washington-based XM Radio but got no immediate response. Scott MacLean, founder of Toronto-based NeroSoft.com, which distributes the $29.95 TimeTrax, said he received a notice from XM's lawyers to stop selling it but, after consulting with his own attorneys, decided not to heed the request. He's made between $7,000-$8,000 from sales of the software since he began distributing it Aug. 13. "I have had many people say they actually bought XM because of this application," said MacLean, 35. MacLean said all his software does is simply record music off the analog XM signal. "It's exactly the same as running it off a cassette recorder," he said. MacLean speculated that XM was pressured by the recording industry. Steven Marks, general counsel for the Recording Industry Association of America, which represents the major recording companies, said the trade group did not ask XM to discontinue selling the PCR unit. Marks also distinguished between the manual recording of radio done for decades on a cassette player and the systematic, mass recording of digital radio broadcasts. "What we're concerned about are programs that essentially transform what are intended to be performances of music into a music library for somebody," Marks said. The trade group already considers the widespread recording of Internet radio as a threat to both digital radio broadcasters and the bourgeoning legal music-downloading business. Better than P2P? Software that can track the data stream from Internet radio and split it into individual song files that are then stored on the computer user's hard drive are widely available -- many at little or no cost. One such program, StationRipper, is available free of charge and had been downloaded more than 44,000 times on Download.com as of Tuesday. Other popular recording programs include TotalRecorder and ReplayRadio. In postings on Download.com, several users hailed StationRipper as a better alternative to peer-to-peer networks, which are often mined with decoy files and are monitored by recording industry sleuths. One user said the program made it possible to download nearly 3,000 songs in a 20-hour period from multiple Internet radio stations simultaneously. The recording industry has yet to devise a way to block such methods of copying music, so it has mostly concentrated its enforcement campaign on people who distribute song files. Still, in June, the RIAA submitted comments to the Federal Communications Commission, asking the panel to enact new rules to safeguard music played through digital radio receivers from being pirated. "Digital audio broadcasting without content protection is the perfect storm facing the music industry," the trade group wrote to the FCC. The RIAA suggested the FCC require digital radio broadcasters to encrypt their content or use an audio protection flag -- bits of data that would travel with the stream or satellite radio signal to denote that the content was under copyright. Properly equipped digital players or receivers would recognize the flag and, ultimately, restrict whether the content could be copied or distributed. Copyright 2004 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5880117/

Anyone care to improve upon their T-shirt design

Pretty common in these parts.

I assume you mean in design...

My email response from Mosaic: We are aware of the problem and are seeking to resolve it. We have not yet received an expected date from the pressing plant when the corrected disc #7 will be available although our expectation is approximately 2 weeks. There is no need to send back the damaged disc or to send a request. Once we receive the disc we will automatically send it to all set owners. We apologize for the error and will correct it as soon as possible.

That's asking a lot....

Does anyone have any more details on this? When will the replacements be available? Do we have to request them or will they be sent to us automatically?

Got mine this morning. #53 I'm just making my way past the Meet The Jazztet material which I already had. So far so good. I had hoped they might bump up the volume of the Killer Joe intro. I've just casually flipped through the booklet, but there seem to be some really good photos in this one.

I finally got tired of being too heavy. I'm 6'3" and was up to 250. I dropped about 30 lbs. People noticed. I didn't really notice until I came across a photo and saw how full my face was. I eat a decent lunch, drink plenty of water, cut out soft drinks (only the occasional diet dr. pepper) and for dinner, it's ususally just some fruit and cheese, sometimes a homemade smoothie with cut up, frozen bananas, milk and yogurt. And I also walk two miles every day. It was tough to break the cycle of grabbing fast food on the way home from work, or ordering a pizza. I just went cold turkey. One day I just decided to "start" and dropped all the junk food. No Atkins. I simply refused to jump on that bandwagon. The light dinner and the walking did it for me. Still doing it after nearly 5 mos. Getting through the first week was the hardest. But now it's just part of the routine.

...ummm son of a golfer... Dad played for Univ. Of Oklahoma team, won Big 8 Tournament. Needless to say those were big shoes....err...spikes...to fill. I've played a little over the years but don't have the patience required. I'm beginning to mellow just a bit though -_- With a nice course so close (though far enough away not to be bothered by errant golf balls) I'll likely pick up the clubs again and try the driving range. And if it doesn't go well........ I can always break my clubs over the mailbox

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. I like the Jimmy Smith idea, seems apropos. No stalkers please, but you're welcome to take a look.

Thanks for saving me the trouble of posting this.

By this time next month I'll be in my first house. I'd love to get suggestions from all of you as to the first CD that should be played. How about your overall FIRST and a first Blue Note if they are not one in the same. I review all the suggestions and then post the winner! Thanks

email sent re: Cliff Jordan - Cliff Craft - TOCJ w/OBI - $13 Kenny Drew - Undercurrent - CC - $12 Duke Jordan - Flight To Jordan - CC - $12

I had to go with Gettin' Around. I really do love GO! and it was one of the first RVGs I purchased, but Gettin' Around just gets me every time. And One Flight Up is right up there too! Doin' Alright is alright. Sometimes Dexter Calling calls out to be played. Usually it happens sometime on the other side of midnight. My guess is for Ed Swinnich, Our Man In Paris wins by a Landslide. Okay so I left out A Swingin' Affair and Club House.... You don't have to swing clubs at my head...

I certainly hope so, but I fear that the best we can expect would be better labeling of copy protected discs.

Actually I think it's Duck season! Rabbit season! Duck season! Rabbit season! Rabbit season! Duck season! *** kaboom *** Nothing against the French here. Lawyers are always easy targets. I should know. I am one.

Something that you never thought you would hear.... "Hurray for French lawyers!"

I have used a Sony Mini-Disc player for several years. I currently have the MZ-R90. I used itprimarily for travel. I'm using past tense because I am now using the Rio Chiba 256mb flash based MP3 player for my portable. Mini-Disc was great for good quality recordings and for portability, before you could get hundreds of songs on a device the size of pack of gum. Making Mini-Discs is a bit more difficult than copying mp3 files to a device. So now my MZ-R90 is just sitting in a drawer, along with a few dozen discs (mostly compilations) that I recorded.

ummmm..... make that 56

I agree with Claude on this. Einstein was once a patent clerk.....we could use a few more Einsteins in the patent office today. Your average government drone in the patent office is like a monkey in the control room of nuclear power plant.... So much power and no clue that they have it - nor what can be done with it.

Chris has it right: THEM