This post is just a test to see how well Windows Live Writer works with Blogger...
Monday, June 30, 2008
Is the "final frontier" getting more dangerous?
Due presumably to the fact that I work "with computers", people often ask me about things like internet file-sharing, DVD copying software, etc. Typically, they want to know if whatever they are thinking of doing might be illegal. Of course, since I work "with computers", that makes me an expert on US and international copyright laws... Anyway, I generally tell them that this is a very gray area and that the best course of action is to steer clear of anything questionable.
As the Internet has matured, lawmakers have been slow to address the changing techno-landscape, due in small or large part to a lack of understanding of the possibilities/dangers that exist. However, in recent years, lawmakers at all levels have enacted a hodgepodge of legislation creating a whole new category of potential criminals who use their computers instead of guns. The problem with these laws is that they seem (in my opinion) to have been fueled largely by pressure from the entertainment industry as well as fears of terrorism. Laws created out of pressure from industry are going to naturally represent the interests of that industry and not necessarily the best interests of the legislators' constituency. Furthermore, laws created out of fear are going to tend to be overreactions that are not necessarily the most well thought out.
What we now have are a lot of laws that can indeed be enforced to punish legitimate offenders. However, there is also a great deal of room for otherwise honest, law-abiding citizens to be caught up by laws that allow a great deal of latitude for interpretation or by laws that they didn't even know existed. The point I am trying to make here is that in their attempt to regulate the "final frontier", lawmakers have (arguably) made it a more dangerous place for the average person.
TechRepublic has published a short summary of recent cyber-legislation that reinforces my viewpoint that it is just best to steer clear of anything even remotely questionable. The summary is entitled "10 ways you might be breaking the law with your computer", and can be found here. I would strongly recommend reading it and deciding for youself of the "final frontier" is getting safer, or more dangerous.
As the Internet has matured, lawmakers have been slow to address the changing techno-landscape, due in small or large part to a lack of understanding of the possibilities/dangers that exist. However, in recent years, lawmakers at all levels have enacted a hodgepodge of legislation creating a whole new category of potential criminals who use their computers instead of guns. The problem with these laws is that they seem (in my opinion) to have been fueled largely by pressure from the entertainment industry as well as fears of terrorism. Laws created out of pressure from industry are going to naturally represent the interests of that industry and not necessarily the best interests of the legislators' constituency. Furthermore, laws created out of fear are going to tend to be overreactions that are not necessarily the most well thought out.
What we now have are a lot of laws that can indeed be enforced to punish legitimate offenders. However, there is also a great deal of room for otherwise honest, law-abiding citizens to be caught up by laws that allow a great deal of latitude for interpretation or by laws that they didn't even know existed. The point I am trying to make here is that in their attempt to regulate the "final frontier", lawmakers have (arguably) made it a more dangerous place for the average person.
TechRepublic has published a short summary of recent cyber-legislation that reinforces my viewpoint that it is just best to steer clear of anything even remotely questionable. The summary is entitled "10 ways you might be breaking the law with your computer", and can be found here. I would strongly recommend reading it and deciding for youself of the "final frontier" is getting safer, or more dangerous.
New Blog...
So, I have switched blog services (again). I was using Windows Live Spaces, which certainly had it's good points (like integration with Windows Live Messenger). However, I never really liked the advertising at the top, or the sort of 'heavy' feel that the whole thing seemed to have. A lot of things just seemed to bog down the overall experience. I also wanted to move to something a little more customizable. Not that I will end up finding time to actually do it, but at least I have the option...
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