scary flash video

[TJ_Tigger]

Ok, not scary as in I am going to wet my pants scary but scary as in someone too the time to actually make it.

Moon Song (http://www.rathergood.com/moon_song/)

[Corey]

I like it. I find it more creatively raw than most art I see from people with university art degrees. If Picasso proved that art is all about confidence, not pure technical ability, then this piece certainly supports itself.

Corey Milner
Creative Director, Indigo Rose Software (http://www.indigorose.com)

[JimS]

Wow! Only $23.99 + shipping for the long sleeve T-Shirt. I notice that they don’t have a CD available yet. They must be waiting to see if the new Sony copy protection scheme works. Probably afraid of all the money they’ll lose to the P2P networks. I’d bet if they did release a non-copy protected CD, the RIAA would claim another million $$ in lost sales because of P2P.

[Corey]

I’d bet if they did release a non-copy protected CD, the RIAA would claim another million $$ in lost sales because of P2P.


Please explain, I'm not in the know about the Sony issue but I have been advising my roomates band somewhat on a commercial CD audio release lately so it might be very relevant to them.

Corey Milner
Creative Director, Indigo Rose Software (http://www.indigorose.com)

[JimS]

Sony has come up with a new form of copy protection called SecuRom for CD’s. They are releasing first disks in Germany. Notice that the files can only be copied to audio devices that are licensed by Sony. That ought to make the iPod people happy. Sneer.
Check out
http://www.newscientist.com/news/news.jsp?id=ns99994368

more at

http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&edition=us&q=Sony+Copy+protection

[Corey]

But I still don't get why the RIAA would be affected?

Corey Milner
Creative Director, Indigo Rose Software (http://www.indigorose.com)

[JimS]

I suppose that I’m way off base here, but it’s my understanding that the RIAA has been blaming p2p networks and the people who use them as the sole reason for the drop in CD music sales. I do believe that they have overstated their case somewhat. I for one don’t buy as many CD’s as I used to, because I don’t hear much new stuff that appeals to me.

I am also appalled at the fact that the recording industry charges nearly $20 for a new CD. It costs much less to release a CD, than to release a cassette tape, yet they charge substantially more. I refuse to pay that sort of money. Since all the major labels have, until the last month or so, moved in near lock step in charging these ridiculous prices, the whole thing smells of price fixing to me.

Personally, I have never resorted to un authorized downloading of copy written music. In my book it would be stealing. I realize that my view isn’t the popular view, but that’s the way I see it.

Because of what I see as heavy handed tactics taken by the RAII in pursuing it’s attack to stop unauthorized coping, I assume, that they support anti copy schemes. I suppose that this assumption might be wrong, but I’d be quite surprised if it was.

I am against these copy protection schemes, I believe that they tread on my fair use of material I have purchased. Specifically I believe they violate The Audio Home Recording Act of 1992. If I buy a CD of music, I think it would be fair to copy a couple of the songs onto a MP3 player that I can take with me. Back in the days of vinyl, I would often make a copy of a record onto a cassette tape, and play that, instead of playing the vinyl. I have several CD’s that only have a couple of songs on them I like. I see nothing wrong with burning compilation CD’s that contain music culled from multiple masters. I only have one set of ears, so I can’t listen to more than one copy at a time.

On the other side of the coin, when I have advised small bands on using technology, namely the Web, I suggest that they make MP3’s of their music and upload it where ever they can. Offer it for free on their website, etc. I see it as a great way for them to build publicity for themselves.

Other than Steely Dan, most recording artists make most of their money from concerts, not record sales. The way the contracts are written, very few new artists make a dime off their first three albums. All the money goes to the label and the promoters. It’s often times worse than that. Newly signed artists usually have to sign nearly all rights over to the labels, and if the label puts your stuff on the back burner, you’re scr***d. They get to decide where, when and if you are going to perform. They decide if the music gets released, or if it and you are forced to just sit on the shelf.
I’m not a big fan of the RIAA, I think they generally take advantage of young unsuspecting talent. My advice to small unsigned groups is to look at the practicality of it. Whether they get signed or not, they probably aren’t going to see a penny from their first couple of releases, so it is a viable option to just give it away, by letting people freely download and distribute the MP3’s. At least that way they get to retain more creative control over their work, than a label is likely to give them.

Does the RIAA have a interest in copy protection schemes for music CD’s, I can’t say for sure, I have no hard facts and figures to support that, but my gut feeling is most defiantly yes.

The above statements are my personal opinions on the matter. I do not posses any hard proof to substantiate these opinions. You are all free to agree or disagree with any or all of my opinions, no big deal.

[JimS]

Wow, I’m shocked over the lack of responses to my remarks. I don’t care to argue my opinion on this matter, but as ‘hot’ of an issue as it is, I expected that many people would chime in and give their differing opinions. I’m used to the idea that most people don’t happen to share my views on most issues, and was sort of looking forward to hearing what other people had to say about the matter. Anyone care to share your take on this?

[Corey]

Not sure about the others, I'm adapting a less outspoken approach to the forum.

Corey Milner
Creative Director, Indigo Rose Software (http://www.indigorose.com)

[JimS]

That’s probably a smarter idea Corey. My mouth does tend to run faster than my brain. Although I might not be particularly intelligent, and am probably wrong in my views more often than not, at least I’m honest, and rather upfront about stuff. Many people have told me that my lack of tact is childish, but those are traits I quite admire about children. It forces me to spend a lot of time apologizing when I hurt other people’s feelings, but I don’t think I’d want to trade my spontaneity for the more ‘grownup’ approach. Just me I guess. I’ll try to keep a bit better handle on my mouth in the future though. I enjoy this place and wouldn’t want to irritate too many others. I’d sure hate to get myself banned because of my mouth.

Jim’s new Mantra: Think it through, then write…Think it through, then write.
Hope it works.

[Corey]

Eiher way Jim. You are certainly not in any danger of getting banned for the types of things you say. Let me qualify what I meant. I didn't mean I won't joke around and be fun. What I meant was that I don't want someone to make or break a purchase decision based upon non-product related factors.

I've worked very hard to make this forum fun and inclusive so please avail yourself of that freedom and say whatever you usually do. I'm not going to change my outlook or anything, I'm going to still have fun with everything I do, it's just that we've reached the point in our evolution where a lot more corporate developers are going to be coming onboard (I hope) and I want them to be confident in us. Since the new users seem to be coming from all cultures the best way for me to do that is focus my forum humor in a different way. That's all. I'm just trying to be more efficient in the objective which is to convert people to AMS.

In an ideal world that process would involve lots of things which, in reality, it doesn't. Ke sera, maybe I'll start a blog. :) The fact is that sales is not about creative communication anymore, maybe it never was. Consistency is going to be the big thing for 2004 more than anything else, and you can quote me on that. It's the sole force keeping most products on the market nowadays...

So basically nothing's really changed overall but I'm just fine tuning the forum experience as IR evolves. I should have made that clearer, busy day... Either way though you're gold Jim so don't sweat it. :)

Corey Milner
Creative Director, Indigo Rose Software (http://www.indigorose.com)

[AGRO]

That is just a riot!!

I have that song in my head now. elbow- independent woman.


the destiny child kittens in the U.K.

[Corey]

I think they are bush babies.

Corey Milner
Creative Director, Indigo Rose Software (http://www.indigorose.com)

[TJ_Tigger]

I had to resurrect this thread because the these guys are on a Quiznos commercial.

[Corey]

Good for them. I hope they can keep it in perspective. There's a tendency for some young people to equate reward with achievement and that would be a shame to see these guys get diverted from becoming better artists. Anyhow nice to see some crumbs trickle down from the fatcats to the little guys. :)

Corey Milner
Creative Director, Indigo Rose Software (http://www.indigorose.com)

[eric_darling]

Hey, yeah! I caught this commercial out of the blue - actually, I heard it first. And then I came running into the room to see it because I know I had heard it somewhere before (besides my nightmares). Lo and behold, there the bush babies were, spinning eyes and all.

Funny... I still don't get it. Quiznos is obviously out to prove they're "different." There's one right around the corner from my office. I'll tell you what - the only thing that makes them different is the toaster and about $2 more per sandwich.

[Corey]

There is absolutely zero chance that you will ever receive quality food from a fast food franchise, it simply doesn't fit into the food cost formula which every single fast food franchise on the planet uses as their one and only guide in creating their menu. In the case of Quizno's I would guess that they are running at 15%-20% food cost, why? Because people let them... :)

Even at the very best restaraunt in town you will never see higher than 30-35% and even then, I doubt you'll find that anywhere anymore.

My opinion is that it's all about cheap, it's the classic ad guy ploy, eccentric chic, inexpensive enough to please the client and it gets the teens in. That elusive demographic they crave so badly. I'm sure Eric has seen this one come and go a few times. From, "Where's the Beef" to "Ernest Paints a House" to "Taco Chihuahua" they get results time after time with these super cheapies.

Corey Milner
Creative Director, Indigo Rose Software (http://www.indigorose.com)