You crazy kids... If you don't stop, you're really gonna get it!

Over the past few years, many people have read about the RIAA and their mad cap movement to curb P2P networks and the illegal sharing of music and movies. In fact, there has been a lot of news over the past few years on how the RIAA has been sending threatening letters to the most egregious offenders. It seems as though they are at it again.

The RIAA said Monday that it had sent out an additional 408 letters offering to settle with students from 23 different American universities. Pay the noted fine, and the entire issue just evaporates. Lovely...IF you happen to have an extra $2000-$3000 (or so...I'm guessing really) sitting around, doing nothing just waiting to be wasted. Anyway, these letters are a simply a continuation of the same program the RIAA kicked off earlier this year.  The idea was to hit the big P2P fans at college campuses around the country and, uh-hem... curb their enthusiasm.  Since this is the middle of summer break, the RAIA will be giving targeted students receiving additional time to respond and cough up the required dough.  Aren't they just sweet..?!

While those who ignore their letters are likely to be hit with larger law suits and fines, the RIAA continues to point out that sharing copyrighted material (outside of fair use interpretations and other stipulations allowed by law) is illegal and punishable by fines and jail time.  They also point out that there are too many easy and affordable ways of getting digital music legally. Using P2P networks to get the music on the Q-T is silly now-a-days.

As a closet musician and as a consumer, I decided long ago not to support pirated music. Having the naughty kind is just too dangerous, even if I don’t agree with what the RIAA is doing or how they are doing it.  Unfortunately, they have legal precedent on their side, and as such, the Courts are likely going to side with them. Unless, you count that one news story of that mom who counter sued the RIA and won...but that was the odd time out.

Word of advice: buy your music and movies. RIP them if you want for your own use to iTunes or whatever, but make sure you can support the purchase with a hard copy somewhere. Otherwise, you're really just courting trouble. While I think the RIA is just a bunch of greedy, over paid, money grubbing music mongers, the degree of trouble isn't worth the effort required to make the trouble go away. Get off the P2P networks before you Kazzah yourself into trouble!

Like the Midas Muffler guy used to say, "you can pay me now; or you can pay me later..."

Microsoft sheds some light on the next version of Windows scheduled for release in just a few years...

One of the biggest problems with Windows Vista is the overly-long release cycle, is that most enterprises are too deeply ingrained into the Windows XP paradigm to successfully make the migration. I can't tell you how many companies I've heard of migrating BACK to Windows XP because users on the client side just can't cope with the many different changes made to the Windows UI. 

Productivity is in the toilet, and the Boss Man is ticked off.  Unfortunately, that's what you get when you have an OS on the market for 7 or so years... People get used to it, and have their work methods optimized for that OS.

Interestingly enough, Microsoft has shared a few details of its next-generation operating system. The OS is tentatively named "Windows 7;" and is due sometime in 2010. The next version will support both 32 and 64-bit version; and will come in both business and consumer flavors. As an added item of interest, Microsoft is also looking into the idea of subscription services as a way to extend the functionality of the operating system. They've been threatening to do this for years; and Windows 7 may actually bring that to market.

Of more of an interest to users who have made the migration to Vista (and are still using it), is the work that Microsoft is currently doing for Windows Vista Service Pack 1.  Some news sources are saying that the update may be available by the end of the calendar year.  While I haven't heard too much grumbling from consumers (other than Vista is so totally different), those enterprises that have stayed the course will be interested to see the update. 

A few years ago, TV listings on your handheld made a huge stink.  Companies like TV Guide were up in arms because people were scraping their site, taking their published data and using it outside of their interface. One program, Pocket TV Listings (or PTVL), originally made use of TV Guide's data until the company sent the author a very nice, but stern, cease and desist letter. Shortly after that, the author reengineered the app so it used an alternative source of data from Zap2it Labs, and/or XMLTV.org.

Provided you don't sell an app that uses the data from Zap2it Labs, you can use their data for free. I've been using PTVL for about 4-5 years, and love what it can do. My biggest use comes during Pro Football season, as I like to have most of the games on my calendar so I know who is playing whom at what times.

I found out today that Zap2it Labs is shutting down, effective 01-Sep-07:

"Tribune Media has announced the termination of it's Zap2IT Labs service on September 1st. This will disable the tvgrabna_dd grabber.

A non-profit organization has been formed Easy TV DATA to replace Zap2IT Labs in offering data to users of free and open source applications. We expect to have a solution in place before the Sept 1 deadline. Stay tuned to XMLTV.org for more updates."

 I originally saw this over at PPC Thoughts, and had to pass this one. If you've been keeping up with the news on the Ultimate Series from i-mate, you're probably a little disappointed. Things have been very quite lately; but this is somewhat encouraging.  The 6150 has at least hit the FCC Site.

I've taken a look at one or two of the PDF's and the pictures are at least worth the download.  I liked all the shots of the internals of the device. Its interesting where they've shoved the antennas and to see what they look like.

While the device showing on the FCC site doesn't necessarily indicate that it will make it to the States for certain, its definitely a step in the right direction.  I've been pestering Judie about getting one of the Ultimate Series devices for review, and Judie did as I am just as hungry as everyone else to get my hands on one of these babies.  We've had some coverage on these devices, but like everyone else, not much.

If you've got some cool information on the i-mate Ultimate series, please comment below, and let us know what you think of the devices and how they would be received here in The States.  I'd love to know everyone's opinions!

I saw this over at Mobility Site, and just had to pass on the news... This is a way cool development, and might help me with some mail related issues with my POP accounts.

Consilient today released a Push Email Application for BlackJack owners; and the best part is that it's FREE! Check out some the features listed below. If you're interested in the app, Consilient’s website has more information...

Push Features include:

• Push-based technology: no polling or configuring required
• Yahoo!(r), Hotmail(r), AOL Email(r) & Gmail ™ - Plus POP3 and IMAP4 access
• Easy-to-use Account Management Profile
• Photo attaching, saving, sending, receiving
• Device email “wipe clean” - if lost or stolen
• Attachment support for all file types
• Easy to set up: download sent via SMS
• Secure - 128 bit encryption