Month: June 2005

Embrace, Extend, Exasperate

Lorin Olsen

Over the past few weeks, I’ve heard (time and time again) that some major company was extending the RSS 2.0 specification. First it was Yahoo. Then it was Microsoft. Now it is Apple. And the funny thing is that most of these major companies are submitting their extensions through some form of a community process. Heck, even Microsoft is using the Creative Commons for their extensions. But Danny Ayers hit the nail squarely on the head.

Well I’m saying nothing. I’m really tired of talking about syndication formats and harping on about extending RSS, ranting about the interop problems that will arise with extensions if there isn’t a common framework up front.

All of these extensions will cause huge interop issues. I would hate to build an RSS aggregator these days. You have to support so many “open” extensions to an approved standard – as well as “closed” extensions to unapproved standards. Currently, my browser supports RSS .92, RSS 1.0, RSS 2.0, and Atom .3. I also have a podcatcher (iPodder) that supports RSS 2.0. At the same time, I now have Apple’s iTurnes 4.9 which supports their RSS extensions. Soon, I will have another browser (IE 7 beta) that supports even more variations – including RSS lists. Maybe Microsoft will also give us a new Windows Media Player that mucks things up even further.
Welcome to the buzz-o-sphere where hype becomes reality and openness becomes a cacophony.
Just because something is submitted for community review (after the fact) does not ensure interoperability. On the other hand, simply unleashing such extensions (as Apple appears to have done) does not generate enthusiasm – or long-term success. In many ways, we have to applaud Microsoft for offering the changes before code is publicly released – not after the product is in the distribution channel.
So which model works best? A spec released under community processes before the product is released (Microsoft) or a product released with extensions that have just seen the light of day? I can’t believe I’m saying this. I pick Microsoft’s approach. Think of it. Apple (who brought us OS X) is in the position of being the big gorilla forcing others into alignment. I guess when you have the dominant position in a market (the portable audio market) you can push your advantage. But when you are the newcomer (as Microsoft is with RSS), you can’t push an advantage. Instead, you spend your time getting invited into the conversation.
-CyclingRoo-

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The Times, They Are A Changin’

Lorin Olsen

Remember when podcasting first started? We used to use tools like iPodder, iPodderX and Doppler to subscribe to (and manage) RSS feeds. We used to play the MP3 enclosures with Windows Media Player, WinAmp and/or iTunes. We used to use iPodder.org and Podcast Alley as a means to find (and rate) content we wanted to hear.

As of this morning, that has all changed. My podcatcher is iTunes. My player is iTunes and my directory service is iTunes. Now I used to love the power of integrating these things together myself. But I already love the simplicity of one interface performing all of these tasks.

But there are some challenges to the new model.

1. Using Podcast Alley, I knew what was popular. Every month, I got used to the unrepentant vote begging. Well, that will change. But who will determine what is popular or good? I must assume that Apple will do this by counting the number of people who have subscribed to each feed. At least, I hope they have some objective means of determining who gets placed on the “Podcasts” launch page.

2. There will be one point for people to get attention: iTunes Music Store. This is good and bad. But it is particularly bad because there will be only one significant control point for any single (external) group to focus upon. Don’t get me wrong. I hate smut. And maybe some gross shows do need to be censored (or placed in a red light district) But control freaks can now point at Apple and have them drop the hammer. This is bad – especially when space on the “favorite list” is controlled w/o stated criteria. Yeah, I’m concerned. Mostly because I see Al Franken’s Air America on Apple’s favorites page. Al, I’m sorry you couldn’t make it on Podcast Alley through legitimate voting. Too bad you became a favorite based upon someone else’s arbitrary sensibilities. BTW, where is the Rush Limbaugh podcast on this list?

Those things said, these changes are needed. Podcasting will soon become mainstream – simply because of Apple and a man named Adam. BTW, I’m not dissing Dave or any of the technologists who have made the technology viable. But podcasting success will now come from the publicists, marketing wags and pretty boys. Let’s hope we can still find a place for obscure but worthy content. I sure hope so.

-CyclingRoo-

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The Times, They Are A Changin'

Lorin Olsen

Remember when podcasting first started? We used to use tools like iPodder, iPodderX and Doppler to subscribe to (and manage) RSS feeds. We used to play the MP3 enclosures with Windows Media Player, WinAmp and/or iTunes. We used to use iPodder.org and Podcast Alley as a means to find (and rate) content we wanted to hear.
As of this morning, that has all changed. My podcatcher is iTunes. My player is iTunes and my directory service is iTunes. Now I used to love the power of integrating these things together myself. But I already love the simplicity of one interface performing all of these tasks.
But there are some challenges to the new model.
1. Using Podcast Alley, I knew what was popular. Every month, I got used to the unrepentant vote begging. Well, that will change. But who will determine what is popular or good? I must assume that Apple will do this by counting the number of people who have subscribed to each feed. At least, I hope they have some objective means of determining who gets placed on the “Podcasts” launch page.
2. There will be one point for people to get attention: iTunes Music Store. This is good and bad. But it is particularly bad because there will be only one significant control point for any single (external) group to focus upon. Don’t get me wrong. I hate smut. And maybe some gross shows do need to be censored (or placed in a red light district) But control freaks can now point at Apple and have them drop the hammer. This is bad – especially when space on the “favorite list” is controlled w/o stated criteria. Yeah, I’m concerned. Mostly because I see Al Franken’s Air America on Apple’s favorites page. Al, I’m sorry you couldn’t make it on Podcast Alley through legitimate voting. Too bad you became a favorite based upon someone else’s arbitrary sensibilities. BTW, where is the Rush Limbaugh podcast on this list?
Those things said, these changes are needed. Podcasting will soon become mainstream – simply because of Apple and a man named Adam. BTW, I’m not dissing Dave or any of the technologists who have made the technology viable. But podcasting success will now come from the publicists, marketing wags and pretty boys. Let’s hope we can still find a place for obscure but worthy content. I sure hope so.
-CyclingRoo-

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Juicy Little Bits (In the Sealed Record)

Lorin Olsen

It’s been a busy day thus far. I have updated my various systems to utilize the new iTunes 4.9 podcatching features. And I’ve deleted iPodder from my systems – just to get the complete and immersive experience.
So as I was building my subscriptions at work, I added IT Conversations as one of the first subscriptions. [The feed and articles for IT Conversations can be found here.] Today, Doug Kay is hosting Ernest Miller in a discussion of the MGM v. Grokster decision.
With all the hysteria starting to subside, the panelists/experts had a few important conclusions:

  • This case will go back to trial. And this may not be decided for several years.
  • This case is more about trial and procedural issues than it is about copyright issues.
  • There is no new standard being created. The Sony standard still applies.
  • This eventual results in this case will probably hinge upon whether or not Grokster was involved in the “active inducement” to infringe copyrights.
  • There is intense speculation that the sealed records may contain a smoking gun whereby the plaintiffs could argue that Grokster intended to promote copyright infringement.

Head on over to IT Conversations and download this episode. It’s worth the investment of time.
-CyclingRoo-

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Apple iTunes 4.9 Available

Lorin Olsen

Well, the sources I read yesterday were right. Apple has release iTunes 4.9 to the world. While Apple has not updated their homepage yet, the folks at Slashdot broke the news. So I went and downloaded the bits from here.
What do I think of it? That’s tough to say. I haven’t played with it for long. But here are a couple of first thoughts:

  • It looks like iTunes. Duh, big surprise?
  • In the “Source” panel on the left, there is a new source type of “Podcasts” for the new media.
  • Podcast subscriptions can be added in the Advanced -> Subscribe to Podcast… dialong.
  • Individual podcast episodes are listed in what appears to be an outline form. You can see details on each download. The interface is fairly intuitive and familiar.
  • The Prefernces dialog box has a new tab for Podcasts… The best feature is that you can select whether/which podcasts are to be sync’ed with your iPod. This is paramount for me and my Shuffle. For a long while, I had iPodder drop my podcasts into Windows Media Player. That way, I wouldn’t get errant podcasts on my Shuffle. And I wasn’t patient enough to play with Playlists. So this preference is just what I need. Woot!
  • I don’t know if there is OPML support. But it would sure make sense.
  • Similarly, I don’t know if I can drag and drop RSS feeds/links onto iTunes. I suspect so. But I haven’t validated it.

So my first impressions are very positive. But I want to take a few days before I write a comprehensive review. In the meantime, go hit the mirrors and get a copy.
-CyclingRoo-
*Update* Apple’s iTunes Music Store has also been updated. New tabs for Podcasting are on the site. In addition, one click access to podcasts is provided. This is fabulous. Podcasting will be in the hands of the masses in very short order. Woot!
**Update** OK. I want to immerse myself in the experience to get a full sense of it. So I have removed iPodder from my systems. Don’t get me wrong. I have loved iPodder for a long time. But I really want to immerse myself w/o reservations. Like the conquistadors, I have burned the ships and there is no turning back. There be gold in them hills!

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Cable Wins – Do You Lose?

Lorin Olsen

In a second major decision this morning, the Supreme Court has overturned a lower court rulings and handed cable providers (and the FCC) a clear victory. While telphone companies must continue to provide equal access to their infrastructure, cable companies need not follow the same guidelines. Indeed, the justification for this decision hinges on the fact that cable companies are providing content as well as bandwidth.
Does this mean that telephone companies can close off equal access once they provide IPTV services over an xDSL infrastructure? Only time will tell.
-CyclingRoo-
Wow. The comments are really flying on sites like Slashdot. One of the most interesting observations comes from kwilliamyoungatl who said, “They ruled on the Telecom *Act*. Congress can change the act with a majority vote and the signature of the president.” That’s right. So how quickly before the phone companies and cable competitors lobby for changes?

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Hollywood Wins – Grokster Loses

Lorin Olsen

“One who distributes a device with the object of promoting its use to infringe copyright … is liable for the resulting acts of infringement by third parties using the device, regardless of the device’s lawful uses,” Justice David Souter wrote.
And with those words, the Supreme Court unanimously overturned a lower court ruling and gave Hollywood a significant victory in its fight against illegal distribution of copyrighted material.
And now, the Court will have to define the term “promoting its use to infringe copyright.” But for now, it is clear that Grokster was promoting infringement. I wonder how broadly this will be interpreted by lower courts.
Round 1 goes to Hollywood. But will they be able to swing this stick very broadly? More to follow…
-CyclingRoo-

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Next Big Thing = iTunes 4.9 Announcement?

Lorin Olsen

Now that Gnomedex 5.0 is officially over, it’s time to move on to the “next big thing” in the “buzz-o-sphere.” DaveW is dropping the hint that tomorrow is the “big day” for the iTunes 4.9 announcement. In addition to RSS 2.0 w/enclosures, Dave thinks that Apple will be announcing some big content deals as well. This would make sense. And since none of us heard Adam talk about his discussions with Sir Steve (at least, not on the record), I am guessing that Adam has something brewing on this one (and not just Senseo).
Of course, I am always concerned if/when Apple gets engaged with content developers. I would hate to see the Apple sheen rubbed off simply because some content creator got a little off-color with their content. For example, there are a lot of folks who love Dawn and Drew. But there are a lot of folks who don’t like Dawn and Drew. Or let’s pick a more universally unsettling character: Howard Stern. I support Howard’s right to say whatever he wants to say. But I wouldn’t necessarily buy products from companies that endorse him – or his message. And I am not alone.
My point is not to denigrate Howard or Dawn and Drew (or any other content provider). Rather, I hope that Apple can steer clear of the politics surrounding certain content providers. Apple’s image is based upon innovative and cool stuff – not edgy or offensive content. Don’t get me wrong. If Apple wants to get further into the content business, good luck to them. I just hope they don’t miss their core mission: building cool products that I can use.
-CyclingRoo-

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Sysadmins Held Responsible in Australia

Lorin Olsen

I got in the office this morning and checked my morning news feeds. I found an article at ZDNet Australia that really piqued my interest. Apparently, the federal court has overturned a lower court ruling and is holding a couple of sysadmins (from Swiftel) liable for infringing music found on their servers.
This is outrageous! Or is it. Let’s forget about the **AA and our visceral hatred of the position they hold. Now let’s consider this. If a theft ring was running shop out of an apartment complex, would we feel bad that the landlords were held responsible for the tenants storing stolen goods? And what if the landloards had been told by the government that the theft ring was in operation on their property?
Or how about this one… Are we incensed when members of a corporate board are held responsible for the illicit acts of their subordinates? Can and should the board be held responsible? In the United States, the Sarbanes-Oxley bill indeed holds execuitves personally liable for their corporations.
Alright. Those are extreme examples. And I do not mean to equate these sysadmins with derelict landloards or inefficient (and/or negligent) corporate officers. But you do have to ask the question whether it is appropriate to hold folks criminally liable for acts committed under their “watch.”
I don’t know the particulars of this case, but I do know that our nation routinely holds those in authority responsible for the actions of people under their purview. And just as importantly, if these sysadmins did receive appropriate notification of the alleged copyright infringements, then they really should have taken some kind of action to protect the rights of the copyright holder as well as those of the alleged infringers.
I guess the real question should be the following: what kind of notification did the sysadmins actually receive? At the same time, what kind of “protection” do the site tenants deserve? Back to our analogy, should the landlord have the right to enter the site and “censor” items in the tenants residence? If so, under whose authority can or should they act? Should they act on a simple claim from the neighbors? Or do they have an obligation to protect their tenants until the tenants are proven guilty?
Hmmm. Interesting questions. But these questions should not in any way impair the free use of distribution software itself. Just because something can be abused does not give the government to forebear all uses. Think of it. Web traffic can convey illicit content. Does that mean that http is “bad” and must be controlled? Of course not. In our society, we must prove guilt beyond a reasonable doubt. And just because one automobile owner is convicted of vehicular manslaughter does not give the government the right to ban all use of automobiles because they might be used in some future homicide.
-CyclingRoo-

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Le Tour – C’est Arrivé

Lorin Olsen

In six days, Lance Armstrong will ride the last stage race of his career. The Tour de France begins next Saturday. And my excitement is building! Will Lance win a seventh consecutive Tour de France? I sure hope so. Lance will face a number of challenges this year. They include:

– The Discovery Channel team lost an important lieutenant in the mountains when Vatcheslav Ekimov crashed during a training ride. His loss will be felt keenly during the team time trial.

– Many of Lance’s former teammates will be working against him. Floyd Landis will ride for Phonak this year. Floyd was a major reason for Lance’s success in the mountains during the 2004 tour. Roberto Heras will once again be riding for Liberty Seguros. Bobby Julich and Dave Zabriskie will be riding for Bjarne Riis and Team CSC.

– Jan Ullrich seems more committed than ever to defeating Lance.

– Ivan Basso had a great Giro d’Italia. And he wants to win le Tour. Lance will have his hands full defending against Ivan – especially since Basso has finally shown that he can time trial.

But Lance has some great assets on his side. These include:

– Six of his eight teammates are returing from previous Tour wins.

– Lance is joined by new teammates who will make a big difference. Paolo Savoldelli won this year’s Giro d’Italia. Along with Jose Azevedo, Paolo Savoldelli brings unparalled climbing credential to the Discovery Channel team.

– Lance rides with one of the most successful team managers of all times. Johan Bruyneel has led a team that has won the Giro d’Italia, the Vuelta a Espania and six Tour de France campaigns.

– Lance has won six straight Tours. He knows what it takes to win.

– Lance is the only cyclist who has stared death in the face and come out on top. He has a decided mental advantage in this regard.

– This is Lance’s last tour. I can’t think of a greater incentive to win than to go out on top.

Will Lance win? I think he can. I pray he does.

-CyclingRoo-

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