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gulmatan · Apr 11, 2007, 05:46 PM

In yet again another example of Gates' idiocy, his Micro$$loth dungeon has announced it too will offer DRM-free music. Just like he stole Apple OS in 1984 and plagiarized and bastardized it into Windoze; he buys every mom-and-pop business out of his paranoia of competition--and then runs them into the ground; Vista is a clear, blatant and obvious mockery of Leopard (as Mr. Jobs has shown in his keynote a few months ago). But wait, that's not enough--Gates' stupidity has run rampant yet again!!!!

As if he couldn't let Apple have the credit, Jackhole Gates has to STEAL Apple's DRM-free innovation yet again.

This makes me wonder, just how did Mr. Gates get a diploma from high school after cheating on mid-terms, final exams and pop quizes.

Let's face it, Bill Gates NEVER had an original idea in his head or even that he has a brain.

slpdLoad · Apr 11, 2007, 05:49 PM

Any link? Are they getting the content from EMI as well?

cjrivera · Apr 11, 2007, 05:55 PM

OK... I can't stand Bill Gates as much as the next guy, but didn't he say (in 12/06, before Jobs' letter about DRM) don't buy DRM music and rip CDs instead?

Mastrap · Apr 11, 2007, 05:58 PM

You don't become one of the richest men on the planet by being stupid. Get a grip on yourself

Tomchu · Apr 11, 2007, 05:59 PM

Are you 14, or something? Five more seconds of angry, frothy ranting from you, and my head would have exploded.

I'm not even going to get started on this.

moonmonkey · Apr 11, 2007, 05:59 PM

Originally Posted by gulmatan

In yet again another example of Gates' idiocy, his Micro$$loth dungeon has announced it too will offer DRM-free music. Just like he stole Apple OS in 1984 and plagiarized and bastardized it into Windoze; he buys every mom-and-pop business out of his paranoia of competition--and then runs them into the ground; Vista is a clear, blatant and obvious mockery of Leopard (as Mr. Jobs has shown in his keynote a few months ago). But wait, that's not enough--Gates' stupidity has run rampant yet again!!!!

As if he couldn't let Apple have the credit, Jackhole Gates has to STEAL Apple's DRM-free innovation yet again.

This makes me wonder, just how did Mr. Gates get a diploma from high school after cheating on mid-terms, final exams and pop quizes.

Let's face it, Bill Gates NEVER had an original idea in his head or even that he has a brain.

Vistas feature set was announced before Leopard, I don't see how vista copied Leopard.

CharlesS · Apr 11, 2007, 06:08 PM

I'm pretty sure the idea behind iTunes offering DRM-free content is to set an example for the rest of the industry. That means convincing everyone else that it isn't needed - and that includes Microsoft. Hence the whole "open letter" thing explaining why Jobs feels DRM is pointless.

If Microsoft and others start dropping DRM, it's working.

If all the different players go DRM-free, that's good for the customer. For example, if the Zune store manages to have something that iTunes doesn't at some point, if it's DRM-free, you could buy it and put it on your iPod. This also opens a lot of content to working on the Mac, since Microsoft refuses to allow protected WMV to play on non-Windows platforms.

Atheist · Apr 11, 2007, 06:10 PM

Originally Posted by gulmatan

As if he couldn't let Apple have the credit, Jackhole Gates has to STEAL Apple's DRM-free innovation yet again.

Do some research. EMI approached Apple about DRM-free music. And they never intended it to be exclusive to the iTunes Music Store.

Rumor · Apr 11, 2007, 06:14 PM

One does not become the richest man in the world by being stupid.

Regardless of the means to his end, it was successful. Once you reach that level of success, then you can preach. Until then, shut up.

nonhuman · Apr 11, 2007, 06:14 PM

Also, DRM-free music is hardly an innovation. It's been around for much longer than music with DRM protection has been...

My god! Steve Jobs stole Beethoven's DRM-free music innovation!

Jawbone54 · Apr 11, 2007, 06:21 PM

I don't mean this in a sarcastic way, but I really don't care either way. I've been going back to CDs anyways. I just rip them.

Kenneth · Apr 11, 2007, 06:45 PM

Oh.. I thought Bill is a wise man.

brassplayersrock² · Apr 11, 2007, 06:53 PM

nah, he shook his finger to much and got caught.

Aron Peterson · Apr 11, 2007, 07:00 PM

DRM-free means more iPods will sell. They'll have more music stores to buy music and whatever else from and still choose the best portable media player. Apple could easily add support for DRM free WMV and WMA files. Some time back icons for WMA files were found buried inside iTunes.

torsoboy · Apr 11, 2007, 07:29 PM

Originally Posted by gulmatan

In yet again another example of Gates' idiocy, his Micro$$loth dungeon has ... blah blah blah without reason

And how again is he stupid? Because he is moving his company in a direction that everyone wants to go? He doesn't sound too stupid, but your rant sure sounded stupid.

shinji · Apr 11, 2007, 07:34 PM

ARNnet - Microsoft changes tune on selling DRM-free songs

Railroader · Apr 11, 2007, 07:42 PM

What I want to know is if the Zune will still add DRM to DRM-free songs that you "squirt"?

I hate to say it, but I saw a Zune in the wild for the first time last week and I was mildly impressed. It's video capabilities exceed the iPod's from what I could see.

Atomic Rooster · Apr 11, 2007, 07:50 PM

Originally Posted by Mastrap

You don't become one of the richest men on the planet by being stupid. Get a grip on yourself

He was at the right place at the right time and some people fugged up and handed him a pot of gold,

IBM and Steve Jobs.

nonhuman · Apr 11, 2007, 07:55 PM

Originally Posted by Railroader

What I want to know is if the Zune will still add DRM to DRM-free songs that you "squirt"?

Yes, even if you use an unprotected MP3 the person you squirt it on will only be able to play it for three days.

I hate to say it, but I saw a Zune in the wild for the first time last week and I was mildly impressed. It's video capabilities exceed the iPod's from what I could see.

I've actually heard a lot of good things about it, technically. If it would sync with iTunes, and didn't have the ridiculous copy protection on squirted songs I'd consider getting one over an iPod. I have no particular intention of buying any MP3 player in the foreseeable future (nor do I own one now), but really the only reason I'd favor the iPod is because I manage my music with iTunes and no other player will sync with iTunes so nicely. I don't buy music through the iTunes Store or any other digital distributor, so there's nothing stopping me from playing my music on other players (except, I suppose, the fact that I rip my music into Apple Lossless, but I'd convert it to AAC, MP3, or OGG before copying it to a player anyway).

ghporter · Apr 11, 2007, 08:43 PM

<personal opinion>Ummmm It's a market? And if the market changes, vendors have to change? Or does that even occur to you? Bill Gates is not the snappiest dresser in the world, and his home decor is probably not as stylish as Steve's, but he IS a huge philanthropist and he is also NOT 'the devil' as so many Mac enthusiasts seem to portray him. Lighten up.</personal opinion>

Chuckit · Apr 11, 2007, 09:26 PM

I think Bill Gates' business tactics and the company he keeps are abominable, but the OP is complete nonsense. Once Apple (or whoever) talked EMI into dropping DRM, is Microsoft just supposed to refuse to sell the unprotected music that's now available to them?

mac128k-1984 · Apr 11, 2007, 09:50 PM

If Bill Gates is stupid - then I want some of that stupidity, he's laughing all the way to the bank.

Love Calm Quiet · Apr 11, 2007, 10:10 PM

I don't think Bill himself is calling all the shots there any more. So if it's stupidity... it's collective.

Anyway, it's never been conventional wisdom that "plagiarism is the sincerest form of *stupidity*" but "...of flattery".

Might also be worth looking up the old saying about "the wannabees plagiarize, but the geniuses steal"

pcguy1 · 10:45 PM

I am not going to comment on how smart or stupid Bill Gates maybe since I don't even know how many zero is in 50 billion, but I do understand that he and his wife use their wealth in way that benefit a lot of people thru their foundation/research.

In the long run, that is much more important then coming out with the next great gizmo.

As for DRM free idea, I don't think it come from Apple/Jobs nor end with Apple/Jobs.

Railroader · Apr 11, 2007, 11:10 PM

Damn Bill Gates and his rugged good looks.

tboparis · Apr 12, 2007, 01:20 AM

Bill Gates is not stupid.
He is uncreative though.

But giving DRM free music has nothing to do with being uncreative: it's just about keeping up with the market.
DRM free music isn't even really an idea of apple itself. Apple gave DRM free music because of pressure of the EU (and other stuff).
DRM free music has been going for a long time.
This has nothing to do with Bill Gates' stupidity

Chuckit · Apr 12, 2007, 01:29 AM

Originally Posted by tboparis

Apple gave DRM free music because of pressure of the EU (and other stuff).

Jobs has been an opponent of DRM on music from the very beginning.

King Bob On The Cob · Apr 12, 2007, 02:42 AM

Originally Posted by Railroader

What I want to know is if the Zune will still add DRM to DRM-free songs that you "squirt"?

I hate to say it, but I saw a Zune in the wild for the first time last week and I was mildly impressed. It's video capabilities exceed the iPod's from what I could see.

Eh? How so?

♥ · Apr 12, 2007, 03:25 AM

You don't become one of the richest men on the planet by being stupid. Get a grip on yourself

Hear, hear.

analogika · Apr 12, 2007, 04:38 AM

Originally Posted by Aron Peterson

DRM-free means more iPods will sell. They'll have more music stores to buy music and whatever else from and still choose the best portable media player. Apple could easily add support for DRM free WMV and WMA files. Some time back icons for WMA files were found buried inside iTunes.

No, they couldn't.

The reason DRM-free WMV and WMA files are not supported on iTunes and the iPod is because Apple would have to pay LICENSING FEES to Microsoft.

Which they're sure as hell not about to.

So yes, this DRM-free thing is a good move, as it also means that Windows users could switch to iTunes and iPod eventually (since iTunes for Windows can already access the system's WMA libraries to convert WMA to MP3 or AAC), but it doesn't automatically translate into more sales for Apple as long as MS sticks to WMA.

Once other services start offering DRM-free mp3 files, that's a different matter. That, however, has ALSO become more likely now.

sek929 · Apr 12, 2007, 11:39 AM

Isn't this exactly what everyone hoped would happen?

Jobs pioneers DRM free music and the industry follows. I give Bill props for actually doing what's right for a change.

olePigeon · Apr 12, 2007, 11:42 AM

Originally Posted by sek929

Jobs pioneers DRM free music and the industry follows. I give Bill props for actually doing what's right for a change.

Well, I think it's more that any endeavor into the music business for Microsoft would a futile effort if they stuck with DRM.

I'm surprised he could say it with a straight face considering all the DRM in Vista.

Dakarʒ · Apr 12, 2007, 11:45 AM

Must have been the botox.

You know, to help him keep his rugged good looks.

sek929 · Apr 12, 2007, 11:50 AM

Originally Posted by olePigeon

Well, I think it's more that any endeavor into the music business for Microsoft would a futile effort if they stuck with DRM.

I'm surprised he could say it with a straight face considering all the DRM in Vista.

Indeed, quite a double standard with him.

It's obvious that Jobs won the music war and you better believe that Gates is taking notes. As someone else already said here. Bill didn't get to be the richest man on Earth by being stupid.

MindFad · Apr 12, 2007, 11:50 AM

Dakarʒ · Apr 12, 2007, 11:50 AM

I was waiting for it.

sek929 · Apr 12, 2007, 11:55 AM

Originally Posted by MindFad

This image always makes me laugh

Wiskedjak · Apr 12, 2007, 01:07 PM

Originally Posted by nonhuman

Also, DRM-free music is hardly an innovation. It's been around for much longer than music with DRM protection has been...

My god! Steve Jobs stole Beethoven's DRM-free music innovation!

And, it wasn't even Apple's hardly-an-innovation ... it was EMI's.

Railroader · Apr 12, 2007, 01:15 PM

Originally Posted by King Bob On The Cob

Eh? How so?

Quality, size, orientation, wide-screen, implementation...

Just about everything that matters when it comes to video.

Wiskedjak · Apr 12, 2007, 01:21 PM

Steve Jobs on "borrowing other people's ideas"
'Mysterious company' censors unflattering Steve Jobs video

residentEvil · Apr 12, 2007, 02:24 PM

how is this not a violation? posting and running?

isn't this what all asshats bitch about when a few other people do it?

you all have been reported.

Dakarʒ · Apr 12, 2007, 02:26 PM

Everyone in the thread?

residentEvil · Apr 12, 2007, 02:28 PM

yup; and twice for you. er, make that 3

Chuckit · Apr 12, 2007, 02:29 PM

Originally Posted by residentEvil

how is this not a violation? posting and running?

isn't this what all asshats bitch about when a few other people do it?

you all have been reported.

Er…wha?

Dakarʒ · Apr 12, 2007, 02:32 PM

Originally Posted by residentEvil

yup; and twice for you. er, make that 3

Can you pass me the joint?

residentEvil · Apr 12, 2007, 02:33 PM

the OP created a thread and left. it's only purpose was to the rial up the natives.

other members get banned when they do it.

how is this not the same thing?

Chuckit · Apr 12, 2007, 02:43 PM

Originally Posted by residentEvil

the OP created a thread and left. it's only purpose was to the rial up the natives.

other members get banned when they do it.

how is this not the same thing?

1. It's only been 21 hours since he first posted the thread. Not everybody keeps the site open all day and pounds reload like a madman.

2. I don't recall anybody who got banned for posting-and-running one time.

residentEvil · Apr 12, 2007, 02:50 PM

1) but why would you post something that is obviously angst ridden and then leave right after that and not contribute? if it wasn't on purpose then it would fall under the pointless thread category as it brings no real discussion.

2) yup, there were even threads in the feedback on this. said user(s) got banned. i think both are back again.

Railroader · Apr 12, 2007, 02:53 PM

Originally Posted by Chuckit

1. It's only been 21 hours since he first posted the thread. Not everybody keeps the site open all day and pounds reload like a madman.

Blasphemy!!!

Jawbone54 · Apr 12, 2007, 02:54 PM

Glad to see that this thread is FINALLY getting completely derailed. Took long enough.