...more recent posts
Long time readers will remember I used to get a little worked up about the issue of Trusted Computing - "they're going to make general purpose computers illegal!" - and although I finally decided, years ago, that it doesn't really matter, I think that conclusion was a little optimistic. It does matter, and this stuff is still happening, and it will be a net loss for everyone if "they" get their way, even if it's nice to have an argument ready for why "we" will eventually win no matter what.
In any case, to revisit the subject, Tim Bray (respected software engineer and now Sun bigwig) takes on the Trusted Computing Group in this interesting article Selling Art:
Increasingly, the products of artists are digital; thus subject to essentially-free copying and sharing. Artists, just like accountants and ambassadors, need to get paid. How best to arrange this?Nice refresher course if nothing else. And it really is still happening. Wikipedia, as usual, has great info on Trusted Computing, and if you're a real glutton, here's +4 rated comments from a recent slashdot thread (actually some good stuff in there,) on Intel's plans to add this technology to their next chipsets which are due real soon now.
Sensible business advice from Gus Mueller: How to become an independent programmer in just 1068 days. Obvious stuff, I guess, but very well put. I think this would be worth reading for anyone thinking about starting a small business - not just computer programmers.