The websites on our servers are initially block EU access across the board for safety sake. Some sites chose not to but surprisingly the majority elected to use the script. Main fear is the EUs attitude of trying to sue everybody for any minor discrepancy and since bloggers and news type sites are easy targets, its best to play safe. The local impact is minimal but saves possible litigation by any 2 bit EU organisation. In the end its more of an impact on small to medium business who can't afford to spend $$$$$ to comply with the EU paranoia. The loss really is to the EU users.
Just tried to get adblock plus on chrome and seemed to still be available from the Chrome store!
Seem strange they pull it only from android play store!
Anyway it's still readily available from other app sites such as appszoom etc
I assume it interferes with the adds that are bombarded within most apps - paid or free. Possibly interfering with app developers income etc. I assume that is where google are concerned.
I must admit I find the bombardment of adverts in IOS and now android getting beyond acceptable and maybe these mobile systems need to look at alternatives to large banner adds across apps!
I don't see a problem with the ISP blocking ads, providing it is an opt-in system. The isp should also offer links to existing services that some users may not know of, for example link to adblock or similar so end users can install and run.
I personally think advertising has become too intrusive. Its not just the product they sell, but the tracking, and monitoring that is also embedded.
Now advertising has near wrecked the mobile systems (IOS and Android) it is now hitting the desktops (Windows 8, OSX)
Advertising itself is becoming a privacy and rights concern.
The problem with ebooks etc is they are too clinical. No real feel,or character; and staring at a screen for hours on end is a lot harsher than reading from good print.
Secondly you don't own the ebook. You can't lend it to a friend, or share it with others as such. Can't leave an ebook for your grand kids etc, or get a signed message from the author on the inside cover etc.
Ebooks are just mass produced consumer items, may be cheaper but the quality shows in the content.
Ebooks are fine for non fictional technical or informative type reading. Reference material etc, but not for a good story to get lost in.
The printed word as such is becoming a lost art!
What would happen if companies just ignored all these silly patents?
Smaller developers and companies have to ignore most patents because otherwise you couldn't do anything! Zero! They can only hope that they make enough money before the trolls attack!
Heres an example!
Apple: "I'm going to sue you for breaching my patent unless you stop"
Any small tech startup: "Stop What?"
Apple: "Breaching our patent!"
Any small tech startup: "What patent?"
Apple: "Its a secret!"
Any small tech startup: "What do I have to stop?"
Apple: "Its a SECRET!"
Any small tech startup: "What happens now?"
Apple: "We go to court, cost you millions!"
Dead small tech startup: "You win, we quit!"
Apple behind closed doors: "Quick get a patent on this, before the small tech startup does! We'll keep them tied up with legal mumbo jumbo if they try anything! - We love the patent system!"
And apple still wonder why they can't get into real businesses and enterprises. There are far better alternatives than apple.
The smart money will be on Android and its OPEN structure.
The apple tax strikes again.
The U.S., Australian and no doubt other governments are trying to hide the atrocities they have been involved in. The information SHOULD be public. If a government has nothing to hide then there is nothing to fear!
The US should look at their own security and where access to such a vast array of so-called "Secret" documents can easily be given to wikileaks or anyone else in the first place.
I commend wikileaks for at least trying to open the worlds eyes to what is REALLY going on!
Ebay charge for every little option, and then paypal rip a fair chunk out of the final payment, THEN take days to actually transfer moneys to a real account so it can be used.
Secondly, ebay is getting to the point where its just a rip off in general. Too many shonky people, no real support, and no comeback, warranty or any backup for the buyer. I think the whole system needs a revamp from head to toe!
The problem with many startups (especially in Australia) is the ridiculous copyright and patent laws of countries such as USA and the power of the corporates in manipulating these laws.
In Australia, the average person CANNOT get a patent on software, or web app ideas etc. Its not part of Australian IP laws.
If I come up with some ubeaut fantastic idea but don't have the resources or lawyers to protect it world wide with American and European patents etc, then the instance I show this in public, some bright spark patent trawler will steal it, and sue me for using it. (Or charge me fees for continuing to use a product I created?)
I have to have a finished proven product before I can even attempt to protect it.
Its basically a no win situation in some countries, hence the reason of the slow down in innovation in many fields.
I assume, like the iPhone you will need to have Apples approval for everything you do on it. An allow report back back to apple for compulsory updates and verification of applications etc.
Also Apples DRM and strict rules will always deter many , and people will eventually realise that open formats will always be the better business model for media makers.
Why sell media to a very small market, when you can sell to a far greater audience for less cost..
No iDevices in this household!
I quite often dump a ripped version of a legit DVD onto the hard drive for the very reason shown.
I store copies of the legal movies I've bought, onto the drive and can select what I want.
Running 2 x 1TB drives in the entertainment system lets me store a few hundred movies, music and games and other info with immediate access from any computer.
Illegal? probably but I have the originals. (Grey area!)
Cutting out the adverts, and extra crap means full movies take less than 4 gig a piece. (I've got approximately 40 movies at the moment and barely touched the space avaialble.)
I can watch movies when I want, without the propoganda and adverts.! AND I can stream to any devive in the house.
This would be good for Australians seeing Conroy and the Labour dictators are trying to bring in filtering, and numerous laws to limit Australian online content, both access and posting. It has to be approved content! (Great wall of OZ)
I think if they also setup hosting plans and VPN networks they could attract a lot of people from countries like China, Australia and the like!
My long time concern with Apple in general is their disregard for the end user or owner of their products.
They charge over the top prices for their items and then charge ongoing "Taxes" to use them. They also insist that the owner follow THEIR rules to a tee or they'll "brick" the unit, regardless of what it cost.
If I buy a mobile computer (laptop) then I want the right to put whatever I want on it, from any source I please.
The iPad seemssilly to me, with Apple tax, restrictions, small screen, limited applications, and limited use.
Buy a laptop for $500 if you need mobility, and at home I'll stick with a nice big clear 22" - 24" screen and full size keyboard.
In a imaginary world, simply pay him out with imaginary money so he can get on with his imaginary existance.
Imagination!
"Close your eyes and imagine you just won a billion dollar law suit, and imagine you have a real life ........"
Imagine we had no silly copyright and patent laws and we could expand and grow with technology rather than idiots suing everyone for the mighty dollar and stifling technology...
Just imagine how good that would be..
But then again: Thats not the AMERICAN WAY!
Sue, sue, sue, sue em all!!! THATS the American way!
Patents are killing innovation in all areas but especially software and computer services.
Companies like Microsoft and Apple get ridiculous patents such as for "Mouse clicks" and Apples "finger or touch gestures" which attempt to stop any other company or individual in expanding on simple ideas.
I say great for anybody that can get something out of these monolith money hungry dictators, but over all the patent system is clearly killing the industry, especially the smaller developments. Future advancements are limited due to the U.S. Patent system.
Don't worry about developing innovative technology! Grab a simple and nasty patent and go sue the ones that are trying to create innovation! Why innovate when you can litigate, decimate and incinerate any opposition! Its the American way!
If it wasn't for Adblock and IEPro then many sites are just unusable. Bombarded with in your face advertising that not only detracts from the content you want, but definitely put users off revisiting sites.
I commend Google for promoting speed in advertising as generally its the ads that are causing the slow page loads, but they should also limit numbers of ads per page.
Putting a couple of relevant ads along the side of a page is okay but having ads embedded into the middle of content is ridiculous.
Techdirt has not posted any stories submitted by Dazza.
Blocking EU countries by default.
The websites on our servers are initially block EU access across the board for safety sake.
Some sites chose not to but surprisingly the majority elected to use the script.
Main fear is the EUs attitude of trying to sue everybody for any minor discrepancy and since bloggers and news type sites are easy targets, its best to play safe.
The local impact is minimal but saves possible litigation by any 2 bit EU organisation.
In the end its more of an impact on small to medium business who can't afford to spend $$$$$ to comply with the EU paranoia.
The loss really is to the EU users.
Advantage of Android - app still available!
Just tried to get adblock plus on chrome and seemed to still be available from the Chrome store!
Seem strange they pull it only from android play store!
Anyway it's still readily available from other app sites such as appszoom etc
I assume it interferes with the adds that are bombarded within most apps - paid or free. Possibly interfering with app developers income etc. I assume that is where google are concerned.
I must admit I find the bombardment of adverts in IOS and now android getting beyond acceptable and maybe these mobile systems need to look at alternatives to large banner adds across apps!
Personal choice.
I don't see a problem with the ISP blocking ads, providing it is an opt-in system. The isp should also offer links to existing services that some users may not know of, for example link to adblock or similar so end users can install and run.
I personally think advertising has become too intrusive. Its not just the product they sell, but the tracking, and monitoring that is also embedded.
Now advertising has near wrecked the mobile systems (IOS and Android) it is now hitting the desktops (Windows 8, OSX)
Advertising itself is becoming a privacy and rights concern.
You don't own an ebook!
The problem with ebooks etc is they are too clinical. No real feel,or character; and staring at a screen for hours on end is a lot harsher than reading from good print.
Secondly you don't own the ebook. You can't lend it to a friend, or share it with others as such. Can't leave an ebook for your grand kids etc, or get a signed message from the author on the inside cover etc.
Ebooks are just mass produced consumer items, may be cheaper but the quality shows in the content.
Ebooks are fine for non fictional technical or informative type reading. Reference material etc, but not for a good story to get lost in.
The printed word as such is becoming a lost art!
Ignore patents?
What would happen if companies just ignored all these silly patents?
Smaller developers and companies have to ignore most patents because otherwise you couldn't do anything! Zero! They can only hope that they make enough money before the trolls attack!
Its a secret
Heres an example!
Apple: "I'm going to sue you for breaching my patent unless you stop"
Any small tech startup: "Stop What?"
Apple: "Breaching our patent!"
Any small tech startup: "What patent?"
Apple: "Its a secret!"
Any small tech startup: "What do I have to stop?"
Apple: "Its a SECRET!"
Any small tech startup: "What happens now?"
Apple: "We go to court, cost you millions!"
Dead small tech startup: "You win, we quit!"
Apple behind closed doors: "Quick get a patent on this, before the small tech startup does! We'll keep them tied up with legal mumbo jumbo if they try anything! - We love the patent system!"
Ask Siri!
I thought Apple products were perfect?
Ask Apple!
Ask the sheep!
Ask Siri!
Very good
Love it! "But but piracy" sounds like some politians in Australia
Yet another deal breaker
And apple still wonder why they can't get into real businesses and enterprises. There are far better alternatives than apple.
The smart money will be on Android and its OPEN structure.
The apple tax strikes again.
US & Aust running scared!
The U.S., Australian and no doubt other governments are trying to hide the atrocities they have been involved in. The information SHOULD be public. If a government has nothing to hide then there is nothing to fear!
The US should look at their own security and where access to such a vast array of so-called "Secret" documents can easily be given to wikileaks or anyone else in the first place.
I commend wikileaks for at least trying to open the worlds eyes to what is REALLY going on!
Paybal is a ripoff!
Ebay charge for every little option, and then paypal rip a fair chunk out of the final payment, THEN take days to actually transfer moneys to a real account so it can be used.
Secondly, ebay is getting to the point where its just a rip off in general. Too many shonky people, no real support, and no comeback, warranty or any backup for the buyer. I think the whole system needs a revamp from head to toe!
Copyright / Patent Laws
The problem with many startups (especially in Australia) is the ridiculous copyright and patent laws of countries such as USA and the power of the corporates in manipulating these laws.
In Australia, the average person CANNOT get a patent on software, or web app ideas etc. Its not part of Australian IP laws.
If I come up with some ubeaut fantastic idea but don't have the resources or lawyers to protect it world wide with American and European patents etc, then the instance I show this in public, some bright spark patent trawler will steal it, and sue me for using it. (Or charge me fees for continuing to use a product I created?)
I have to have a finished proven product before I can even attempt to protect it.
Its basically a no win situation in some countries, hence the reason of the slow down in innovation in many fields.
Too Expensive and its an Apple
I assume, like the iPhone you will need to have Apples approval for everything you do on it. An allow report back back to apple for compulsory updates and verification of applications etc.
Also Apples DRM and strict rules will always deter many , and people will eventually realise that open formats will always be the better business model for media makers.
Why sell media to a very small market, when you can sell to a far greater audience for less cost..
No iDevices in this household!
Legal copying.
I quite often dump a ripped version of a legit DVD onto the hard drive for the very reason shown.
I store copies of the legal movies I've bought, onto the drive and can select what I want.
Running 2 x 1TB drives in the entertainment system lets me store a few hundred movies, music and games and other info with immediate access from any computer.
Illegal? probably but I have the originals. (Grey area!)
Cutting out the adverts, and extra crap means full movies take less than 4 gig a piece. (I've got approximately 40 movies at the moment and barely touched the space avaialble.)
I can watch movies when I want, without the propoganda and adverts.! AND I can stream to any devive in the house.
Great idea for Australians
This would be good for Australians seeing Conroy and the Labour dictators are trying to bring in filtering, and numerous laws to limit Australian online content, both access and posting. It has to be approved content! (Great wall of OZ)
I think if they also setup hosting plans and VPN networks they could attract a lot of people from countries like China, Australia and the like!
Apple Tax and Rules
My long time concern with Apple in general is their disregard for the end user or owner of their products.
They charge over the top prices for their items and then charge ongoing "Taxes" to use them. They also insist that the owner follow THEIR rules to a tee or they'll "brick" the unit, regardless of what it cost.
If I buy a mobile computer (laptop) then I want the right to put whatever I want on it, from any source I please.
The iPad seemssilly to me, with Apple tax, restrictions, small screen, limited applications, and limited use.
Buy a laptop for $500 if you need mobility, and at home I'll stick with a nice big clear 22" - 24" screen and full size keyboard.
Get a life! A real one!
In a imaginary world, simply pay him out with imaginary money so he can get on with his imaginary existance.
Imagination!
"Close your eyes and imagine you just won a billion dollar law suit, and imagine you have a real life ........"
Imagine we had no silly copyright and patent laws and we could expand and grow with technology rather than idiots suing everyone for the mighty dollar and stifling technology...
Just imagine how good that would be..
But then again: Thats not the AMERICAN WAY!
Sue, sue, sue, sue em all!!! THATS the American way!
Patents kill innovation
Patents are killing innovation in all areas but especially software and computer services.
Companies like Microsoft and Apple get ridiculous patents such as for "Mouse clicks" and Apples "finger or touch gestures" which attempt to stop any other company or individual in expanding on simple ideas.
I say great for anybody that can get something out of these monolith money hungry dictators, but over all the patent system is clearly killing the industry, especially the smaller developments. Future advancements are limited due to the U.S. Patent system.
Don't worry about developing innovative technology! Grab a simple and nasty patent and go sue the ones that are trying to create innovation! Why innovate when you can litigate, decimate and incinerate any opposition! Its the American way!
Ads are killing sites
If it wasn't for Adblock and IEPro then many sites are just unusable. Bombarded with in your face advertising that not only detracts from the content you want, but definitely put users off revisiting sites.
I commend Google for promoting speed in advertising as generally its the ads that are causing the slow page loads, but they should also limit numbers of ads per page.
Putting a couple of relevant ads along the side of a page is okay but having ads embedded into the middle of content is ridiculous.