DRM

~ 63mago 
Or: How to ruin anything.

I have to confess that I did not understand “DRM”, when I learned that it stands for “Digital Rights Management”. I always thought about “digital rights”, like perhaps something connected with publishing, authorship, or maybe in connection with the Snowden (Ger., Eng.) papers or such. But its more about the management of rights, digitally.
Let’s assume you want to buy a car. And because the idea of a combustion engine is a bit too steam punk for you, you choose an electrical vehicle. Maybe by Renault or such, because you do not want to get fried in a Tesla. You buy the car, the battery is leased only. The advertisement people tell you that it’s okay and brings only advantages, if for example there is something wrong – no hassle, will be changed easily, no problem.
There is a problem when you can not come up with the leasing rate, because Renault is enabled (and seemingly entitled) to manipulate your battery digitally so that it will not recharge anymore. End of mobility. The company can do this from a distance via the electronic gizmos in the car – which is in fact a rolling computer. A data collecting rolling computer. This is no sci-fi but reality. I have only two German articles (here and here), but who is interested will surely find English texts about this.
And it’s really easy to connect your iphone to the “car”; don’t know whether it comes with a top notch navigation system too. :)

Published by 63mago

Want better dingaling ? No.

10 thoughts on “DRM”

  1. DRM? I’m still steamed about software “shrink wrap contract” license agreements from the 1980s!

    Auxiliary Peeve: the phrase “WARRANTY OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE” that was inevitability part of the contract in the box!

    Of course, in all fairness, I must admit that no software manufacturer ever came to my house and demanded their software back.

    Sorry.

  2. I read somewhere the other day that micro chips in white goods are now capable of giving your computer a virus… no I don’t know how… but one day my Smeg fridge freezer will probably start a conversation with your oven and they’ll cook up a storm.
    Beggars belief.
    Did I go off topic?
    Sx

  3. Just in case planned obsolescence wouldn’t work, they had to do something to keep you spending money. Hence, DRM *grrrr…*

    My advice: ride a bycicle. We’ll be soon thrown back to the Middle Age.

  4. I have read through the wiki article, Akku LX, and thankfully this never came to me – or I simply went over it. Sorry, I never read these contracts. There is talk about consenting adults. I understand that.

    I stumbled over “In general, a user is not legally obligated to read, let alone consent to any literature or envelope packaging that may be contained inside a product; […]” That’s fine, because I’m one of those who just tore the thing open and used it – IF there was something to be torn open. Most software simply came on unmarked 3,5s …

    What you cite, this specified “warranty for a particular purpose” – that means the software seller says / defines what you use the software for? *BRUWAHAHAA* *cough* sorry … they can not be serious about this, can they?

    Today if one “bought” a rolling computer (aka electrical car), they can switch off one of the main functions, and one owns a stationary computer with a lot of inbuilt connections. In windows its called something-services, forgot, but switched off.

    It goes so against the “idea” of “car”, of “buy” and “possess” I grew up with, I learned and that determine my view on the world. It’s the first time I get an idea of that “digital revolution”‘s backside And all of a sudden the new digital world looks pretty failiar: No cash, no move. Kah Göld, kah Musiek.

  5. No MsScarlet, it’s not off topic. I think its called RFID or something. It is even possible that cards you carry with yourself are read by devices in some distance. Sorry, the amount was transferred, would you please balance the account?
    Cars also carry these things. I own a microwave oven, but I guess it is too old to have a conversation with your SMEG. AND: They’d need web access. Hm …

    I use public transport and walk. Still the cheapest and most healthy way to come around here, Hipster Yaya. For longer distances its the train. And yes, I think the middle ages are not that far away as we think. Oh God, do I have to read SPENGLER now?

  6. “planned obsolescence” Hipster Yaya – You know that electrical motors, batteries etc – the whole thing – is used in heavy duty machinery in the industry, just think about electrical fork lifters. A young Mago worked for years in a Spedition while studying, among other things driving fork lifts. The Technik is all available – cars would simply not break down after perhaps hundred thousand kilometers. They have to find another trick, and the battery is the weakest point.

  7. I have a small second-hand hybrid Auris, Young man. Grytviken is a large city and after my hip replacement I’m not as fit as I was to walk a long distance.
    As far as I know, Toyota has not yet hacked the battery.

    Spengler? Oh come on, dear boy. Don’t be so pessimistic! In my humble opinion, given the situation it’s more recommendable to read Toynbee.

    Sleep well and have sweet dreams.

  8. “Krieg und Kultur”, lingers somewhere on the philosophical shelf, an 1950 edition, paper becomes pretty sauer and bristled / delicate.Given all those recent wars no bad idea!

    Sleep well, Hipster Yaya.

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