Quote: billwill @ March 17 2010, 4:51 PM GMTBig Brother is watching you all on this page.
Your joke would have been for naught had I posted a slightly larger version of the "leprechaun scuba diving in a pint of Guinness" illustration. 
Status report Page 1,980
Quote: Aaron @ March 17 2010, 12:24 PM GMThttp://www.38degrees.org.uk/page/speakout/extremeinternetl
Done...
Quote: Dolly Dagger @ March 17 2010, 5:03 PM GMTIt seems Big Brother is watching and getting it wrong.
http://uk.news.yahoo.com/21/20100317/tuk-man-thrown-off-train-over-set-list-6323e80.html
Oh FFS!
Quote: SlagA @ March 17 2010, 4:57 PM GMTGoing by the reality TV fad, it seems people are more worried that Big Brother isn't watching them, as opposed to watching them.
There's a halfway decent horror film with that very premise. I can't remember what it's called, though.
EDIT: I remembered what it's called. My Little Eye. Not brilliant, but interesting.
Quote: DaButt @ March 17 2010, 5:04 PM GMTYour joke would have been for naught had I posted a slightly larger version of the "leprechaun scuba diving in a pint of Guinness" illustration.
It's not the length that counts its the number of times you use it.
Begorrah!
The final 6 paragraphs or so are particularly interesting: http://www.zdnet.co.uk/blogs/communication-breakdown-10000030/rights-holders-vs-digital-rights-activists-who-wins-10015352/
Quote: billwill @ March 17 2010, 5:06 PM GMTDone...
I'm still confused about this theft issue. Sometimes it's good why?
Theft issue? WRT the record companies?
Sorry Aaron I really don't know the issues involved, what does WRT mean.
I guess with regard to,..?
No text speak, Aaron.
With regard to.
So I'll take that as a yes.
Well. There are numerous points and factors to consider.
First, yes, stealing is wrong. We all know that, we all accept that.
Second, the record companies claim that the music industry is dying. This is totally disingenuous. The record industry is struggling because it is continuing to insist on out-of-date business practices and content delivery methods. The MUSIC industry has never been stronger.
Despite all of this piracy apparently taking money away from the corporate hands, single sales were at a record high in 2009. It's also a fact that so called "pirates" spend on average 40% MORE on music purchasing than people who don't partake in free downloading.
Similarly to singles, merchandise sales and in particular live performances, are more popular than ever, continuing to grow and grow. Unfortunately, the record companies see little to none of this money, so they ignore these facts. But in real terms, artists are earning more than ever.
Quote: zooo @ March 17 2010, 11:04 PM GMTNo text speak, Aaron.
I honestly am not sure what the issues are, all I know is if someone rips off one of my ebooks off the net for free then I lose out.And presumably all new writers do, especially those trying to break in.
Edit. Cheers have read your post now... I guess music is different/ It's just with Google trying to nick copyright I am not nervous but suspicious.
Quote: Marc P @ March 17 2010, 11:09 PM GMTI honestly am not sure what the issues are, all I know is if someone rips off one of my ebooks off the net for free then I lose out. And presumably all new writers do, especially those trying to break in.
Unfortunately, that's the black-and-white view that the record companies take. I don't know what the statistics for books are like; e-books are such a new/niche arena that I've not seen any figures, but I would doubt it's much different.
The thing that they don't understand - or perhaps more accurately, refuse to - is in line with the 40% statistic quoted above: that (not all, no, but hugely significant numbers of) people download as a taster. If they like it, they go and buy it. Study after study and quote after interview after research shows that people who download often then go out and buy.
If I were you, I'd be more worried of Costa and Starbucks branches opening up, with their nice comfy chairs, in the corner of every other Waterstones branch. Much more chance for someone to devour your book than nicking an e-version. But the end result is still very similar: if they like it enough, they'll still buy it.
Yeah but have you read my books Aaron.... the chances are they won't! ! 