Eircom, IRMA and Internet Censorship
Posted by xero | Filed under Music, Rants, Technology, Web
What’s happened? It seems I’ve woken up in Cold War-era China! No, it’s actually Ireland in 2009 where large corporations are now seeking to control what citizens can view and access on the internet. Where is the law in all of this? Well, absent actually.
The original case has now been well discussed and reported across Irish and international media. Eircom in a world-first has come to an agreement with four major record labels represented by IRMA to suspend the internet access of any customer suspected of accessing copyrighted material ie music via Eircom’s network.
Full article here:
Internet users face shutdown over illegal music downloads
Unsurprisingly there has been a huge reaction from internet users:
Eircom to cut off Music File Sharers
Now that the dust is settling there is a growing movement to take action and protest against the government, Eircom, IRMA and of course the record labels behind this profit-motivated attack on personal freedom. Anybody who uses the internet in Ireland really needs to voice their opposition to these moves by Eircom and IRMA. Irish bloggers have been vocal, and other sites have been created especially to draw attention to the problem.
Music industry pushing for internet filtering as well as “three strikes” - what can you do about it?
As well as making your opinions known to all of the parties involved it would also be useful to contact each and every publicly listed member of IRMA by phone, post or email and let them know what we think of their organisation’s actions.
A list of members is available on the IRMA site here:
More information is available at the following links:
A sample Blackout Ireland letter to the ISPs
Irish Music: The Video Game Connection
Posted by xero | Filed under other
Interesting article from Wired.com on how Irish traditional music has infiltrated the most unusual medium - the modern video game!
Irish Music for Videogame Music Fans | Game | Life from Wired.com:
Irish Music for Videogame Music Fans
By Chris Kohler August 22, 2008
There’s a significant amount of crossover between Irish traditional music and videogame soundtracks.
Some game composers cite Celtic musicians and musical groups as direct influences on their styles, for one. Their videogame soundtracks occasionally actually go so far as to feature performances by world-class Irish musicians.
Why? Certainly there are many different genres of music from which game composers have borrowed to create musical accompaniments to videogame action. But there’s no mistaking the clear similarity between the forms, especially when we’re talking about music from older videogames. Irish traditional tunes are simple, often unaccompanied melody lines that are brief, easy to remember and loop back upon themselves infinitely.
K2 Tragedy
Posted by xero | Filed under other
Cork Week 2008
Posted by xero | Filed under Photography
Crosshaven’s Bi-Annual Boats ‘n’ Booze Fest has kicked off for 2008.
Gold Rush for Legally Unlocked iPhones?
Posted by xero | Filed under Technology
An interesting story here suggests that due to competition laws in Belgium mobile networks are not allowed to tie phones to contracts. According to this site, this means that the new iPhone 3G must be unlocked by default. If this is true (and it seems to be) then there will be a lot of European customers rushing to Belgium either physically or online to grab an iPhone if they have difficulty forking over huge amounts of cash for restrictive plans in their own countries. i.e. o2 Ireland!
Belgium’s Mobistar doesn’t waffle over iPhone 3G plans:
Belgium carrier Mobistar has offered details on its suggested iPhone 3G plans.
Technorati Tags: Apple, iphone, Mobistar, Belgium, unlocked iphone 3G
The Brown Corporation
Posted by xero | Filed under other
The Brown Corporation has only one product to sell. I can say no more. Just have a look.
The Brown Corporation
iPhone 3G free* in UK with O2 - Will O2 Ireland follow suit?
Posted by xero | Filed under other
Not likely, knowing those market -gouging toerags! However it’s an interesting precedent for the new iPhone. Unlimited data would certainly make the Irish O2 tariffs easier to swallow but I would be very surprised if O2 decided to change their position at the head of the “Rip-Off Ireland Retailers Club!”
The New Amazon MP3 Widget
Posted by xero | Filed under Music, Technology, Web
The future will be widgetized! Your widgets will have widgets! Here’s another one.
Keep the dearly departed close- digitally!
Posted by xero | Filed under other
I’m surprised that these aren’t yet available for human remains! Probably just a matter of time.
If you’re somehow able to gaze upon the Digital Photo Urn without emotion, you’ll find a fairly useful product. Still, we can’t help but be a little creeped out by the notion. Nevertheless, those with differing views can certainly procure one of their own, which was meant specifically to hold the remains (or at least some of them) of your lost pet and continually show pictures of its life on the built-in 7-inch display. In case you’re still not freaked out, the unit even supports audio, so you can “hear the precious barks, whines and purrs anytime.” At this point, we highly doubt you care about the 256MB of integrated storage space, USB connectivity or Oak / Walnut motifs, but those not shaken can secure one now for around $250.
Digital Photo Urn is just too creepy to be useful
Free Music Download : Consecration
Posted by xero | Filed under Music
Another free music download. This time from Serbian goth metal rockers Consecration. Sounding somewhat like Katatonia and Porcupine Tree this freebie is well worth a listen.
