Interesting Links for 18-03-2014

[andrewducker]

• How the Veronica Mars kickstarter used DRM to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory
  (tags: drm kickstarter fail )
• US government set to give up net oversight powers
  (tags: usa INTERNET )
• What was it like to be Fred Phelps' son?
  (tags: politics religion homophobia usa )
• The Stress Of Being A Computer Programmer Is Literally Driving Many Of Them

Comments

[gonzo21]

Wow, that was epically stupid of Warner Brothers, I was amazed how quickly a download link for the Veronica Mars movie appeared on my f-list, could only have been within hours of it being released. And it sounds like an illegal download was by far and away the easiest way to watch it.

... indeed the only way to watch it for a large number of UK backers.

I tried to get access to an ultraviolet movie once, from a movie I had the retail copy of, that came bundled with an UV copy too, but it became so much hassle I just gave up and torrented a copy instead.

[tobyaw]

I think it would be fair to say that it wasn’t the DRM that caused the pain to Veronica Mars fans, but rather that the studio used the most user-hostile video platform. The lesson here is to i) support distribution methods that your customers actually use, and ii) if you are using DRM, support more than one distribution platform.

Accessing videos through iTunes or Amazon is straightforward, and client software on devices does a decent job of hiding the DRM restrictions and making users feel as though they are in control of their media.

Ultraviolet, on the other hand, is an abomination that deserves to die.

[andrewducker]

I'd ask how well the Amazon DRM works on an XBox/PS3, but the answer is now "very well" since the switchover of it replacing LoveFilm!

(I don't have anything iTunes capable plugged into my TV)

[tobyaw]

With an Apple TV and a Wii U plugged into my TV, I have access to the mainstream digital distribution platforms: iTunes (via Apple TV), Amazon (via Wii U), Netflix (via Apple TV or Wii U), and pretty much anything else via AirPlay from my iPad to the Apple TV.

But I’m pretty sure I have no way of playing Ultraviolet video on my TV.

[andrewducker]

I think their basic problem is that they decided that Ultraviolet would be a standard that lots of individual companies would then implement as they see fit. So if nobody has produced an Ultraviolet player that supports your platform then there's no central point to complain to.