- Re: Copyright alternatives?

- Screen protectors

- netbook Pro digest

- UIQ writer wanted

- Nokia 9500 & Internet via IP Passthrough

Date: 23 May 2005 08:26:46 +0700
From: Rolf Brunsting <address truncated>
Subject: Re: Copyright alternatives?

Dear Phil,

<< I have not spelt out any alternative because, unlike you, I am aware
of my ignorance in this area >>

First, that I spelled out the alternatives referred to the problem you
raised - that the copyright status of software, books, recordings, etc.
changes from one day to the next - is because you didn't take the
minimal energy to look further than the tip of your nose.

Secondly, I don't pretend to know all there is to know about copyright
as I'm an engineer, not a lawyer. Reason that I know more about
copyright than the average person is because I was involved in a
multinational software development project which raised some questions
concerning the copyright of the final product. It was my job to find
out what copyright law said in the respective countries, what it would
mean for user licenses, etc., etc.

<< I think one of the reasons copyright runs out is to free writers to
quote *usefully* without penalty >>

Writers quoting from other people's work is no problem as long as
quotes are clearly marked as such and reference is made to the
original.

<< In software terms this might well imply that copyright should cease
when the software becomes obsolete >>

That's not the case as the basis for software copyright is the same as
that for books, works of art, etc. in the sense that a number of basic
rules apply. Obsolescence isn't part of these rules as the novels by a
particular writer may have a limited audience at first. They're printed
in a first edition of 1,500 to 2,000 copies and then go out of print. A
situation which can radically change (say) 20 years later in that the
novels are rediscovered, find a new audience and become best-sellers.
If copyright would extend to the first edition only - as the novels are
then considered 'obsolete' - the author wouldn't gain anything from the
revival of his/her works. Nor does technological change make
intellectual works obsolete as it would mean that the music of the
Beatles is now obsolete because their recordings were made before the
introduction of the CD.

<< This would neither be never nor immediately nor in 70 years nor even
in 10 years - apparently the only alternatives you think possible >>

I never said that it was either 70 or 10 years. What I said was that
the UK copyright period for software was 10 years at the time I had to
make enquiries. Different copyright periods were mentioned for such
things as compositions, song lyrics and recordings. I no longer know
what these periods are as it was six years ago that I made these
enquiries and was mainly interested in software copyright at that time.

<< Further I wholeheartedly disagree that the true moral question is
whether to grant copyright or not. It is just one question among many
>>

I'm sorry, but that there are additional questions doesn't necessarily
make them moral questions. Your question "How long does the most
popular consumer OS last?" is a practical rather than a moral question,
for example. That people are still happily using a Psion Series 3c,
despite its age, isn't a moral question either.

<< Is it moral for me to quote as long as it’s for me alone? Is it
moral for me to quote to you? If it is, how many people can I morally
quote to? >>

Which is complete and utter nonsense as the question to quote a text
from another writer depends on what it is you're writing yourself. And
you're free to quote Shakespeare, Voltaire, Dickens, Hemingway or
whoever you like. Publish what you've written, including the quotes,
and you're requested to clearly mark the quotes and make references to
the originals. Whether the originals are still in copyright or not.

<< How long does the most popular consumer OS last? 10 years - no. 5
years - no. 3 years - no. 2 years - maybe. But even 10 minutes can be a
long time! >>

Sorry, guy, but this, and what you write about quoting, illustrates
that you're behaving like a Troll rather than a person who has a
modicum of grey matter between his ears.

---
Rolf Brunsting - Kirkwall - Orkney

Date: 2 Jun 2005 16:16:57 +0700
From: Ed Kaneen <address truncated>
Subject: Screen protectors

Having just bought an "as new" MC218 from Ebay, I'm anxious to keep it that way. Therefore, I'm trying to find screen protectors, although I note from the archive that not everyone uses them.

The obvious upside of them is that you have a screen that isn't scratched. However, I can imagine that some screen protectors could have the downsides of:

- cutting down on screen brightness.
- giving a less than ideal surface for writing/tapping.
- leave the screen in a mess when removed.

Are these the reasons why people don't use screen protectors, or am I missing something?

Does anyone have any recommendations for good protectors? I've only found two which are explicitly for the Psion 5mx/MC218. I've read good reports of the G3 from www.pdascreenprotectors.com. Any idea how they compare to the offering from Expansys?

Many thanks,

Ed Kaneen.

Date: 3 Jun 2005 07:33:47 +0700
From: Dave Thomas <address truncated>
Subject: netbook Pro digest

Hi guys

Is there a netBook Pro digest?

Maybe  someone  will know of a good image viewer and MP3 player for the machine as the built in programs aren't that great


--
Kind Regards

Dave Thomas
Product Manager
Psionet

Tel +27 21 683 1192
Fax +27 21 683 1196

Web: www.psion.co.za

Date: 3 Jun 2005 10:44:00 +0700
From: Steve Litchfield <address truncated>
Subject: UIQ writer wanted

Hi all,

As you may know, one of my 'hats' is writing content for http://www.allaboutsymbian.com/

Now, I don't actually use UIQ much in real life, preferring Series 60 and (most of all) Series 80 (i.e. the 9500). We (AAS) were wondering if there were any budding writers/contributors in here who use a P900 or P910 and would be willing to help create UIQ-related news items and do occasional reviews?

In return, AAS can arrange free, review copies of almost any software, which you can keep at the end of the review/article.

If you're interested, please email<address truncated>(Ewan Spence, you all know him, of course) and volunteer. Oh, and welcome aboard!

Thanks for listening,

..........................
Steve Litchfield, 3-Lib, http://3lib.ukonline.co.uk/
Software and features for Psion/Symbian handhelds and smartphones
Also PocketInfo, useful files - http://3lib.ukonline.co.uk/pocketinfo Journalism: sub-editor and/or senior contributor to:
Palmtop User - http://www.palmtop.co.uk/
PDA Essentials - http://www.paragon.co.uk/mags/pdaessentials.html
PC Basics - http://www.paragon.co.uk/mags/pcbasics.html
Reviews editor, AllAboutSymbian - http://www.allaboutsymbian.com/

Date: 3 Jun 2005 21:05:11 +0700
From: Rolf Vonau <address truncated>
Subject: Nokia 9500 & Internet via IP Passthrough

to Steve Litchfield:
you wrote at your page "9500bugs.htm", that IP Passthrough doesn't work. You can correct your site:
Nokia wrote at least the RNDIS driver. It is available now on Forum Nokia website under the name "NetWorkBridge".

--
BR

Rolf