A
As I see em!
I found this comment regarding a review of a music CD and store bought CDs.
Can any let me know if this is bogus or if there is some truth to it?
Thanks in advance!
Cheers!
56 of 57 people found the following review helpful:
This CD installs invasive, unremovable software on your computer, November
5, 2005
Reviewer: Clayton (Burnaby, BC Canada) - See all my reviews
I have no problem with Van Zant's music, but I believe it is important to
review a music CD as a whole, taking into account not only the music but
also such matters as sound quality and usability. So, I rate this 1-star to
reflect the actual value a consumer would get from buying this product --
which is very low due to the invasive "Digital Rights Management" software
the CD requires you to install when you play it on your Windows computer and
the other limitations imposed by the poorly-thought-out copy protection
scheme.
Here are some facts:
- The software uses "rootkit" or "cloaking" techniques to make its presence
undetectable even to antivirus programs. Only very specialized tools can
detect it. Such techniques are typically used by hackers to control a
machine without the owner's knowledge.
- The software replaces your computer's CD-ROM device drivers with its own.
- The software uses techniques that experts say are poor programming
practice and can interfere with the stability of your computer.
- The software uses up a fraction of your computer's speed (for example 1%)
all of the time, even when you are not playing a CD, by scanning all running
programs every two seconds.
- The software cannot be safely uninstalled from your computer except by
experts with advanced technical skills.
- The software communicates with Sony's computers every time you play the
CD. It tells Sony which CD you are playing and identifies you by your
computer's IP (internet protocol) address. (It is not known whether Sony
keeps or uses this information.)
- The license agreement for the software does not mention any of the above
facts, and also implies (falsely) that the software can be removed.
- The software prevents you from copying the music on the CD to your iPod.
It lets you make mp3s but only low-quality ones.
- After these facts were publicized, Sony has downplayed and also lied about
the nature and extent of these problems. Sony has not apologized or admitted
wrongdoing in any way.
- After these facts were publicized, Sony released an update for the
software. After installing the update, the software no longer "cloaks"
itself, but the other problems are still present. It is still impossible
(except for experts) to remove the software. What's more, the update adds
more files to your computer and still doesn't tell you what any of this
stuff is doing.
Can any let me know if this is bogus or if there is some truth to it?
Thanks in advance!
Cheers!
56 of 57 people found the following review helpful:
This CD installs invasive, unremovable software on your computer, November
5, 2005
Reviewer: Clayton (Burnaby, BC Canada) - See all my reviews
I have no problem with Van Zant's music, but I believe it is important to
review a music CD as a whole, taking into account not only the music but
also such matters as sound quality and usability. So, I rate this 1-star to
reflect the actual value a consumer would get from buying this product --
which is very low due to the invasive "Digital Rights Management" software
the CD requires you to install when you play it on your Windows computer and
the other limitations imposed by the poorly-thought-out copy protection
scheme.
Here are some facts:
- The software uses "rootkit" or "cloaking" techniques to make its presence
undetectable even to antivirus programs. Only very specialized tools can
detect it. Such techniques are typically used by hackers to control a
machine without the owner's knowledge.
- The software replaces your computer's CD-ROM device drivers with its own.
- The software uses techniques that experts say are poor programming
practice and can interfere with the stability of your computer.
- The software uses up a fraction of your computer's speed (for example 1%)
all of the time, even when you are not playing a CD, by scanning all running
programs every two seconds.
- The software cannot be safely uninstalled from your computer except by
experts with advanced technical skills.
- The software communicates with Sony's computers every time you play the
CD. It tells Sony which CD you are playing and identifies you by your
computer's IP (internet protocol) address. (It is not known whether Sony
keeps or uses this information.)
- The license agreement for the software does not mention any of the above
facts, and also implies (falsely) that the software can be removed.
- The software prevents you from copying the music on the CD to your iPod.
It lets you make mp3s but only low-quality ones.
- After these facts were publicized, Sony has downplayed and also lied about
the nature and extent of these problems. Sony has not apologized or admitted
wrongdoing in any way.
- After these facts were publicized, Sony released an update for the
software. After installing the update, the software no longer "cloaks"
itself, but the other problems are still present. It is still impossible
(except for experts) to remove the software. What's more, the update adds
more files to your computer and still doesn't tell you what any of this
stuff is doing.