Before the dust settles on this thread, I'd like to put in my two cents. First,
even though the list moderator started this, I commend him for letting the
debate continue. Now my opinions. I agree totally with James statements on the
underhanded tactics of the RIAA who not only gave us his views, but eloquently
stated facts to back them. Instead of the RIAA embracing the industry and
changing with it, they're fighting it. If you think about it, this is nothing
new. The same thing happened with the film industry when video tape came out
and now two generations later, people are still going to the movies. The RIAA
says they're only trying to protect the artist when they tell us not to pirate
music. What a smoke screen. That's bull. If its true, why haven't some of the
major labels even paid what they owe to their artists for there work from the
sixties. I'm glad the Internet has come along for musicians to freely
distribute and market there music. There are also a lot more indee labels then
they're used to be. I'm a musician myself, and I know a lot of musicians who
freely put some of there music on line for download. Then look at a group like
the grateful dead who actually encouraged recording at they're concerts with
special sections reserved for recording. It hasn't hurt there success or album
sales at all. I think its actually increased it. I've downloaded music both
legally and illegally myself, and if I like something I may buy it after the
download. As for NLS and the new BARD download system, what alternative method
would you have suggested? I think that was the best way to go. I for one would
much rather be able to download books that I could keep indefinitely rather
than having them disappear after a given amount of time like they do with
overdrive. Also we get a good solidly built player that's portable, free of
charge, and with great audio. Now. as far as the accusations made that the
player is making some people "tuns of money", that's just paranoid thinking.
Can you prove that? Who is making all this money? Do you have figures? The
players cost NLS $150 each.The last four track players built cost double that.
So NLS will actually be saving in the long run. I also think they'll eventually
save the tax payers even more money when all books will be borrowed by way of
download eliminating the need for mailing of containers and cartridges. And as
I said before. These players are provided to us free of charge. Also, were not
the only ones using a special player. What about sighted people who use the
kindle.Then If you want to talk about a real rip-off, compare that to the over
priced player recorders made by plextalk and others. They don't even sound as
good and cost more than double what the NLS player costs. I really applaud the
open source idea and the people who are developing rockbox. Then,Compare that
with the greedy attitude of rip-off scientific and look at the price of Jaws
and the fact they have the exclusive government contract for screen readers in
colleges. But that's another subject and it would be off topic.
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