Ok, the first real topic: Can "file sharing" (stealing music, etc.) ever be stopped?

[destined_wind]

Well can services like Kazaa or eDonkey ever be shut down?

[Sam Williams]

As I understand it, at least some the current generation of peer-to-peer networks (Gnutella, for one) are inherently impossible to "shut down". I don't think they'll ever be shut down as such, since they run on such a broad base of hardware and prosecuting every user is impossible. The only realistic way to stop people using them is to provide a superior alternative.

There are two approaches to dealing with a threat like this: the industry could ask itself why p2p has sprung up and proliferated to the current level, and try to address the root causes of the problem by pricing itself back into the hearts of p2p users; or it could take what appears to be the current approach, which is far less constructive - trying to eradicate p2p systems as they spring up, maintaining a higher-than-fair pricing policy across the board, and obsessing over DRM.

With Palladium/TCPA, however, it could become a great deal harder for people to use p2p (or any software that Microsoft and Co. don't want them running). As I understand it, Microsoft will be able from the next release of Windows (ETA 2005) to revoke software and information of any kind and prevent it from running within the Windows environment.

This protection, and all the rest, whatever they might be, will inevitably be worked around by some people, but it may drive p2p into a smaller domain than it finds itself in now - the Linux / open-source hardcore, who will always be one step ahead.

So I don't think p2p will be shut down or stamped out totally; but it may decline significantly in popularity if TCPA is implemented as planned from '05.

[destined_wind]

Hmm, good answer. But, let us suppose that Microsoft does go ahead with what it is planning, I doubt that it will be effective, in the end, Microsoft will just end up driving away more customers. See, Microsoft WANTED to end piracy with Win XP...boy, what a joke that attempt was...pirating of windows xp has become more widespread than ever. From my point of view, there is no WAY that MS can stop piracy, EVER... for its own software or for music in general...p2p will live on, no only in Linux, but in Windows as well...

[CanaMacPod]

This Palladium/Longhorn thing has got me very worried and even scared. But what really boggles the mind is how is Microsoft going to pull this thing over on people? From what I hear of it, no software on your computer will work unless it has been okayed by some identification software or something online. I really don't see people standing for this kind of "1984" crap. I sure hope this doesn't become a reality anyway.

[Impulse29]

I think that file sharing over the internet cannot be shutdown. Many (probably most) people who buy cd's don't listen to them directly. They rip them to their computer where they can make playlists and stuff. The industry makes it possible to rip to mp3, and other formats so that the file size is smaller, but the people also have the chance to share the music. If the record companies would work with the computer companies to make a non-rippable file, then not only would they lose purchases, they would also get a bad reputation. Although file sharing over Gnutella, Morpheus, etc. are very popular, hardcore music fans won't download them for two reasons: one, they want better quality music, and have the original album, and two, they want to support the bands to make more music. Apple also favours the try before you buy idea with the whole iTunes sharing thing. They let you listen from someone's computer, but when it's time to buy, they have the store.They use a format other than mp3, but I see not how it cannot be shared.

Apple's idea that lets users put songs onto the iPod, but not take them off because they think that you are 'stealing' music is WAY off. First of all, if someone were to share songs using the iPod, they would drag it onto the iPod (as a harddrive), and use it like that. Also, if you you have the song when you put it on, why can't you take it off? Luckily we have smart people that make our lives better by making programs that go around that.

No matter how much technology advances, there will always be hackers ahead of it. What may seem impossible to change now, will be simple in a few months.

[Impulse29]

And as a response to the whole microsoft thing. . . I think that TONS of people will switch to Mac, Linux, and the other operating systems in Microsoft makes this new thing. It would be an invasion of privacy if you cannot run programs not certified by microsoft. We aren't in kindergarten anymore!. . . GET A MAC!