Thinkcorps

1. MPAA wins its stupid suit against 321 Studios, makers of DVD X Copy (specifically tailored for making movie-only DVD backups). This is another reasons the DMCA must be struck down. Regardless, software development is easy these days. The only reason that 321 was taken to court is that they circumvent the CSS copy protection on DVDs—other DVD-backup software doesn’t touch the copy protection, leaving that dirty job to small, simple ripper programs like DVD Decrypter. It makes DVD backups an extra step, but with a huge hard drive, who cares?

The lesson here is: as long as there’s kids in the world, and those kids have computers, Hollywood is screwed.

2. iTunes removed their switch to mini player button from the window interface – those three buttons in the top right corner. It used to be that clicking on the sized/maxmize button (or whatever it’s called) switched between big and mini player views, but now it just switches between a sized large view and a maximized view. This is really freaking stupid. Now, I have to use a key command, Ctl + M, when iTunes is clearly designed for mouse clicks.

I have heard argued that making that button switch to miniplayer breaks with Windows conventions. Well, buddy, screw Windows conventions. Apps never used to have miniplayer views, first of all. And our screens are much bigger these days, obviating the need to maximize anything. If Apple is such a leader and innovator and their shit smells so sweet, then please, please pray that they put that miniplayer view back into the window controls.

That’s all for today. I’m going to APE in SF today and gonna pick up some cool comics and zines.