2 Websites, 2 Updates
So this week Facebook and Last.fm launched new layouts for their websites. Both of these websites I use frequently, but only one of the layouts I particularly like. I feel that Last.fm have done a good job and have made good improvements. I find the new layout well spaced out, clear and easy to navigate. Being able to quickly switch between different chart types is easy and the way that comments are now at the bottom with an easy to use menu for navigating profiles makes a real difference. I never used the dashboard interface on Last.fm before but this merger with the profile works really well.
Unfortunately the new Facebook layout is not as good. Admittedly they did have a lot more to improve and they have managed to achieve this in part. The new menu bar at the top of the screen and the hiding of applications is a a real improvement. The problem for me comes with the combination of the the “Wall” and the “Feed” on each profile. I feel that these should of been kept seperate and not combined as is it has led to profiles looking more cluttered and harder to navigate. Another improvement I think should be done is to allow the “modules” in the right hand navigation bar of the main Facebook page when logged in should have drag & drop capabilities as different users will use different modules more frequently (e.g. I would of had the Bookmarks module at the top, followed by status’).
Be interested to hear what everyone elses opinions are on these new designs.
Illegal download
As has previously been noted, Virgin Media and the BPI have struck an agreement to start “educating” Virgin Media customers who download music illegal by the BPI passing on the IP addressed of anyone who downloads (even though it has been proven that the IP addresses can be wrong, read paper by University of Washington).
Today reports are coming out that letters have been sent out to 600 Virgin Media customers who have apparently been downloading and I want to point you guys to this BBC blog entry, specifically to the comments section. I have not read all of the comments but I feel that Paul Freeman-Powell makes some very valid points, as does mikearthur.
If you are interested in this subject then this is well worth a read(even though Darren Walters seems to of taken in the propaganda by the lobby companies and decided it is stealing, rather than copyright infringement. Every track downloaded does not equate to a sale!!
EDIT:
I just read a comment by vastariner who makes a very good suggestion of recording live shows and then selling these on a bands website. As a fan who has been to see the show or just wants a live copy of the band I would be very much inclined to do this. I also love this comment by Mark_WE disassembling Darren Walters point regarding why it is stealing.
Finally, I leave you with a quote by Bobsy_26 here.
Lest we forget, the anti-piracy ads shown on DVDs and in the cinema:
* You wouldn’t steal a mobile phone/car/handbag… mp3? Yes, that’s clearly the same issue.
* Piracy feeds terrorism. Oh boy, the image of a cackling Osama Bin Laden sitting on a heap of counterfeit DVDs, working his diabolical masterplan of media piracy against the west, is just too chilling.
* Piracy hurts artists. Yes, I’m sure it does under the current system, but it hurts record labels first, and harder. And that’s something I have limited sympathy for…
I promise to stop linking and referencing comments now :).
2021 prediction…
Brilliant.
Interesting game reviews (i.e. Zero Punctuation)
One of my friends randomly linked me to a video by this cheeky chappy, which was a review of Assassins Creed and I have to say it was one of the funniest reviews for a game I have ever seen (well heard). Not only that, it actually hit all the points that made Assassins Creed a great game and what actually made it a bit, well shit.
Well worth having a look at the site. All the game reviews, which are videos, should be in the articles section.
http://www.escapistmagazine.com/articles/view/editorials/zeropunctuation
Think illegal downloading is free?
Saw this on reddit earlier and it made me chuckle. Original image found here.
(How great is Communication Breakdown by Zeppelin?)
Last.fm just gets better
Last.fm, the infamous music website that logs the music a user plays to create recomendations of bands and to introduce users to others with similar musical taste, has today announced that it is the proud owner of the largest free music service available today.
This article on the BBC website goes into detail about this new service.
I personally feel that it is a step in the right direction, providing a music streaming service so that users can actually “try before they buy”. It will be interesting to see how well this idea catches on or even if it is successful, but it is safe to say that the record industry are looking for a new sales model and this venture by Last.fm could be the kick start they need.
Last.fm has a huge user base already, which should give this service a kick-start and I personally will be using the free streaming service as a way to be able to easily listen to new music without having the hassle of listening to free samplers. Just a shame Last.fm is now owned by CBS….
We wouldn’t steal
I know I promised I would actually start writing articles etc. but I am still doing University exams (did I mention this?) so don’t really have the time at the moment.
Anyway “We wouldn’t steal” is about political parties in the European Union making a stand against the copyright lobbyist groups and the propaganda they use about file sharing - you know the stuff, comparing downloading a film to mugging an old lady.
This is being backed by The Pirate Bay (of course) and if you would like more information visit the link at the bottom.
They’ve made a nice mini-advert as well, which is can be seen here (just in case you need enticing).
Quack quack went the goat
I just read an interesting interview of a German lawyer who is representing 500 file-sharers on TorrenFreak. Well worth a read. It is linked below.
