Steph's Blog
Ashley's Blog
Friday, June 3, 2011
Thursday, June 2, 2011
DRM, Ebooks, and Piracy- Ethics Post #3
Many of today's generation, age regardless are interested and mainly fascinated with the new technology that enable us all to empty unwanted pounds in our bags from the heavy books we carry with us on a day to day basis. Being that technology is constantly exceeding all our expectations, ebooks have now been invented for us to be able to carry around hundreds of our favorite books on a very light device that will not hurt our backs any longer. However, within these ebooks there is a special format that is known as Digital Rights Management, or DRM that only allows us all to purchase books or other entertainment of our choice at a certain limit. DRM is software that must be compatible with each device. This now means; movies, books, movies and other areas of literature are no longer going to be free. Items that we all want on our ebooks will now come at a price, like most things in this world.
Before ebooks, we were able to buy and rent movies or library books for a certain amount of time and price, but were not prohibited to lend the items out within that time period because at that point before it was returned, we "owned" it. However, that ship has sailed. We are restricted of purchasing and reselling these items from our ebooks in which we; own, having personal copies, sharing with our friends, and even to the extreme of not being able to back up the purchase at all even when in fact WE own them! This technology came to a stand point where we no longer have the control or opportunity to decide what is rightfully ours anymore because of the DRM laws. They know what we have, what we decide to do with it, and more importantly there is nothing we can do about it as we are refrained from privacy.
The technology of an ebook is so outstanding, yet disappointing at the same time. We were all so excited to have a small device that stored our entertainment wherever we went that it now is a thought through decision by consumers' and the customers, before making an ebook purchase being that it involves all these laws and restrictions within the device. The DRM laws affect the way users and consumers' purchase entertainment within their ebooks knowing that they might not be able to do as they please with something that they invested in. Since the restrictions are so high, the consumers' are aware that there is nothing they can do about it, the cost of the ebooks in general will no longer be the issue. Consumers' will not want to be told what they can and cannot do with a product that they own.
Generally, depending on the needs of the reader, they will just want one format. Now, they are more flexible when it comes to the formats that are available. Not only can they use the e-pub format, they are able to navigate through the other formats such as, MP3 files and PDF files as well. When consumers' are shopping around for the best prices of ebooks for their devices, they are extremely limited. At times, they are often locked out of the system completely. They will only be allowed back in by unethical features and unjust blocking removals. The consequences they believe are not fair, and because of that, Congress will be looking these laws over because of the lack of freedom users' and consumers' have.
Situations can come about where a user loses their ebooks regardless if they backed up their information. However, the license states that if you lose your information they will replace the ebook purchases that have been made within the last calendar month, if the time passes, the user will need to make new purchases. If a user decides to upgrade to a newer model, they will not have to purchase new ebooks. They simply need to use the same account they were using in the previous model they had.
The publisher or device manufacturer cannot truly assure that they are compliant with the epub format if they also have DRM restrictions that are applied. For example, if someone decided to buy an ebook off of Apple, they would only be able to use that on the Ipad. If that wasn't the case, the Epub would lose its original format. However, there are many companies such as Adobe, who are trying to make the formats compatible. The results, will not make customers happy because the prices with escalate immensely. In my opinion i don't think that this will encourage the consumers to want to be a part of such regulation. There are too many restrictions that will turn away their customers, especially the younger generations and senior who face retirement; it is just getting way too expensive for a simple book! Furthermore, I believe it will be nearly impossible to crack DRM protected ebook and save it in another e-book format being that it is such a restricted system, that it would only be normal for them to make it highly protected by anyone who wanted to mess around with it. It seems like a very put together idea, that took a lot of hard work to come up with a software that people potentially hate, they are clearly smart enough that they wouldn't make it so simple to crack through it.
The only ebook that enables users' to lend digital copies of their ebooks to other users' is through the Kindle. The way to lend the book is by looking up the selected books from the publisher's that are offered for lending use. Not only can you lend these books out to the public, but they can be lended out to friends as well. All the user needs to do is enter in the book they want to lend out, type the e-mail address and write a message indicating your lend. However, this lend is not permanent. The user has seven days to accept the loan, and will only last for fourteen days. I believe that this rule is pretty fair, the loan should not be an unlimited amount, because the word loan in general never defines being permanent. As for loaning ebooks to other Ereaders, I agree as well. Each device should be compatible with each other. There is no reason for other manufacturers to go through a mess in order to make sure each ebook works with different Ereader. I assume each Ereader would want to feel more dominant than the other rather than working together.
Ebooks are now able to be created from a physical book, whether it is donated or given from a library. I don't see why this shouldn't be allowed. It's a nice gesture, and there would be not reason for the book to go to waste or unread. However, the rule that they can only borrow the book for two weeks isn't so fair. People read at different paces, and it may take someone longer to read the book. Being that it was donated, there shouldn’t' be a limit to how long someone can use it, if the ebook wasn't bought by the publisher them self. Ebooks are viewed under the same property as a physical book; however, the publishers don't feel that way. They believe that their book that they have created is very precious and should be looked upon more highly than its digital copy. However, other people disagree particularly because the rate in which technology is going is so fast that everything is now being done through technological devices rather than a hard copy of references; so it would make more sense that the digital copy is extremely useful than its original physical copy.
Harper Collin's Position regarding the renewal of a book's license completely is in no offense to the librarians in my opinion. They have to continue to make money somehow and if the library is not going to continue what they want to do with the book, and it is disregarded without its renewal than there should be no reason for the book to be available for the library's use. It is the library's responsibility to provide renewals for the readers, and if they don't cooperate with the publisher, they shouldn't have much of a say. Rules are there for reasons, and if they people don't agree there is not much else to do other than to abide by it.
To be honest, after reading all this information about the Ereader it does not enable me to go run out to purchase one. I am not a big reader to begin with, but especially knowing all the complications are restrictions that come with the purchase of an Ereader; I am not amused. However, if I was to purchase one Ereader in specific it would be the Amazon Kindle; simply because it is the only Ereader that allows lending and borrowing of ebooks in an easy process. Also because they have a reasonable policy if someone was to lose or upgrade their Ereader, they would be able to access their information at a given time. Regardless in the fact that Ereader are inexpensive, the repercussions that come along with it turn me off. If I was a big reader, I might reconsider, but since that isn't the case I am not interested.
References:
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Cyberbullying/Cyberstalking
Cyberbullying is the act in which a child is being mentally humiliated by another preteen or teen. This type of behavior involves; the child to be embarrassed and harassed on purpose by another child. In comparison to regular bullying, Cyberbullying is where the child is being bullied over the Internet, or another interactive digital devices such as a cellphone. Cyberbullying involved either a minor being attacked on both sides, or a minor must have instigated the inappropriate behavior. Once the parents become involved, it is then an act of Cyberstalking. On the contrary, "Adult cyber-harassment or cyberstalking is NEVER called cyberbullying." In some situations, the cyberbullying can be taken to another level once the sexual predators become intrigued by the behavior, and this may lead to the victim being offered sex. What is so surreal and unfortunate, is that without even noticing, the bully themselves can become the victim. Children are so unaware of their surroundings at times, that these roles can change at times, going from victim to bully and back again.
Cyberbullying has a major effect on the current adolescence generation. They can have such a traumatic experience that these young people do not know the proper way to deal with such scenarios where they will take violent action in order to cope. Besides for it leading to extreme measures, which is death, these children may potentially put harm on their own bodies and bodies of other's. As for the law of this criminal act, "Cyberbullying may rise to the level of a misdemeanor cyberharassment charge, or if the child is young enough may result in the charge of juvenile delinquency." Even though in most cases the charges may not be taken that far, there have been cases where the children will lose their privileges to have IM or ISP accounts because of the inappropriate behavior and the terms that they have violated. Another thing that could happen if "hacking or password and identity theft is involved, can be a serious criminal matter under state and federal law."
On the other hand, Cyberstalking involves threatening behavior or unwanted communication towards another person who is using the Internet and other forms of online and computer communications. This type of stalking is new being that the Internet is being used by now mostly everyone of all ages. The Internet makes its users vulnerable and more prone to being cyberstalked. Cyberstalkers are mainly targeting their victims through chat rooms, message boards, discussion forums, and e-mail. Cyberstalking takes many levels of stalking by using "threatening or obscene e-mail, spamming (in which a stalker sends a victims numerous amounts of junk e-mail),live chat harassment or flaming (online verbal abuse), leaving improper messages on message boards or in guest books, sending electronic viruses, sending unsolicited e-mail, tracing another person's computer and Internet activity, and electronic identity theft."
These young people, mainly women, can experience psychological trauma, and possibly physically harm themselves and others. Many cyberstalking situations do evolve into off-line stalking, and a victim may experience abusive and excessive phone calls, vandalism, threatening or inappropriate emails, trespassing, and physical assault. The government has taken this situation very seriously by passing The Violence Against Women Act in 2000. it made cyberstalking a part of the federal interstate stalking statue. However, no such measures have been enacted; and this situation remains at state level.
My personal advice in order to prevent Cyberharassment is to fully be aware of who you are speaking to on the other end of the Internet. More importantly, if you do not know the person you are speaking you, the best thing to do is to stop all communication, because you can never be too careful these days. For children, however, in my opinion there needs to be heavy restrictions in order for these terrible situations to continue to erupt. The Internet is a privilege and if someone is not using it in the correct way, they should not be using it at all. The Internet was invented to help us, not tear us apart and hurt anyone. Children should know exactly what type of people can be going online and more importantly, that not everyone wants to be their best friend.
References:
Cyberbullying
Cyberstalking
Cyberbullying has a major effect on the current adolescence generation. They can have such a traumatic experience that these young people do not know the proper way to deal with such scenarios where they will take violent action in order to cope. Besides for it leading to extreme measures, which is death, these children may potentially put harm on their own bodies and bodies of other's. As for the law of this criminal act, "Cyberbullying may rise to the level of a misdemeanor cyberharassment charge, or if the child is young enough may result in the charge of juvenile delinquency." Even though in most cases the charges may not be taken that far, there have been cases where the children will lose their privileges to have IM or ISP accounts because of the inappropriate behavior and the terms that they have violated. Another thing that could happen if "hacking or password and identity theft is involved, can be a serious criminal matter under state and federal law."
On the other hand, Cyberstalking involves threatening behavior or unwanted communication towards another person who is using the Internet and other forms of online and computer communications. This type of stalking is new being that the Internet is being used by now mostly everyone of all ages. The Internet makes its users vulnerable and more prone to being cyberstalked. Cyberstalkers are mainly targeting their victims through chat rooms, message boards, discussion forums, and e-mail. Cyberstalking takes many levels of stalking by using "threatening or obscene e-mail, spamming (in which a stalker sends a victims numerous amounts of junk e-mail),live chat harassment or flaming (online verbal abuse), leaving improper messages on message boards or in guest books, sending electronic viruses, sending unsolicited e-mail, tracing another person's computer and Internet activity, and electronic identity theft."
These young people, mainly women, can experience psychological trauma, and possibly physically harm themselves and others. Many cyberstalking situations do evolve into off-line stalking, and a victim may experience abusive and excessive phone calls, vandalism, threatening or inappropriate emails, trespassing, and physical assault. The government has taken this situation very seriously by passing The Violence Against Women Act in 2000. it made cyberstalking a part of the federal interstate stalking statue. However, no such measures have been enacted; and this situation remains at state level.
My personal advice in order to prevent Cyberharassment is to fully be aware of who you are speaking to on the other end of the Internet. More importantly, if you do not know the person you are speaking you, the best thing to do is to stop all communication, because you can never be too careful these days. For children, however, in my opinion there needs to be heavy restrictions in order for these terrible situations to continue to erupt. The Internet is a privilege and if someone is not using it in the correct way, they should not be using it at all. The Internet was invented to help us, not tear us apart and hurt anyone. Children should know exactly what type of people can be going online and more importantly, that not everyone wants to be their best friend.
References:
Cyberbullying
Cyberstalking
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Elana Cohen- Ethics Post #1 Text Messaging
We all know that operating a mobile device while simultaneously driving a vehicle increases the probability of causing accidents and deaths. However, when one is actually in the situation of having their phone ring while they are driving, it almost seems harmless to answer. That one second of answering the phone seems quick and easy, but in reality, it actually is likely to cause you to lose concentration on the road, increasing yourself and others to harm and severe danger. Accidents in the past, which were caused by this careless mistake, have caused many people to take action with the law to try to prevent more accidents from happening. Some citizens find the law adjustments to our new generation of technology as too severe or harsh, while others support it completely. Whether it was someone themselves, had been injured or in an accident caused by cell phone usage while driving, or had known someone who was in this position, many people feel that the harsh laws are necessary.
Drivers caught by police on the road while using cellular devices could be fined $100 or get 10 days in jail for the first offense; and be fined $200 or get 30 days in jail on the second offense. Subsequent convictions would bring a fine of $500 or a three-month jail sentence. I think that these drastic measures are completely necessary in order to make our roads safer and prevent more accidents from happening. When dealing with life or death, extreme measures must be taken. As of now texting or talking on cell phones while driving is considered to be a secondary offense. However, bills that have been passed within the past few months in the Senate addressed the issue as a primary offence, but the bill will take effect next year.
I believe that texting or talking on the phone should be considered to be a primary offense because of the severity of the careless action, which most citizens take lightly or casually on a daily basis. There almost is never a day that goes by in my life where I do not see another driver on the road that is talking or texting on their cell phones. I myself have taken matters into my own hands by forming the habit of keeping my purse in the back seat of my car so that I am not tempted to answer my phone if it should ring. I know and understand that it is an extremely tempting act to just answer a text message quickly, but the reality of it is, that it can potentially take or harm lives.
Sexting is the act of someone recieving or sending an explicit image or anything nude via picture message. If one was to receive a pornographic picture of someone who is a minor, and they choose to send it to a network of people, the sending to more and more people is an endless cycle. This kind of scenario has been occurring too often in young adolescence and can potentially ruin childrens' lives, self esteem and reputation forever. Like texting and driving, the action of sending a picture to others seems harmless, but in retrospect can cause severe damage and harm to many. This is why I believe that harsh laws should be passed in order to prevent sexting from causing more damage. I believe in such a strict action against sexting because I understand the horrific damage that it could do simply from sending a message that will never be able to be taken back. Especially for kids during their adolescence, most girls go through self esteem issues and are vulnerable to this kind of incident to happen to them. We need to take action as a nation to protect our children from being exposed.
Currently in Florida, the first offense of sexting would be punishable by eights hours of community service or a $60 fine. A teen convicted of sexting a fourth time could be charged with a third-degree felony, punishable by a maximum of five years in prison and a $5,000 fine. Forwarding a nude or semi-nude picture of an underage ex-girl(boy)friend can be prosecuted as distribution of child pornography. I agree with this prosecution because similar to texting while driving, it is an act, which is usually taken lightly or carelessly thought out, but the consequences of the act can be fatal. The strict and harsh laws and punishments for sexting are made in order to protect the citizens of the Unites States, specifically our very own young juvenile daughters during their most insecure and vulnerable age and phase of their lives. A simple picture message could easily ruin a young girl's reputation of self esteem forever. This kind of trauma is extremely hard to handle and could be permanent in most cases. We need to take action because almost every school, now of days, has an unfortunate story like this, all because of one poor decision. The extreme laws are necessary in order to prevent future scenarios from occurring. Unfortunately, these types of law adjustments are the only dependable way to make a difference on the matter. Hence, I feel that it is extremely reasonable to do whatever it takes in order to maintain a more moral society.
I believe that if a teenager is caught sexting, that they should be prosecuted under Megan's Law and be registered as a sex offender. If an adult were to have CONSENSUAL sex with a minor, they would be prosecuted under Megan's Law as a third level sex offender. If the prosecution is so strict on someone that had consensual sex with someone that was a minor, the same level of punishment should go towards someone that ruined a girl's reputation and damaged her life forever. Megan's Law would enforce a mugshot of the offender, along with their name and address to be send to everyone in the neighborhood or community in order to let the citizens know who could potentially be a threat to them and their families. I believe that someone that is involved in sexting should be punished severely in order to serve as an example for the rest of our children so that less of them should go through the trauma that is caused by sending a simple picture message via mobile devices.
References:
1. Sexting
Drivers caught by police on the road while using cellular devices could be fined $100 or get 10 days in jail for the first offense; and be fined $200 or get 30 days in jail on the second offense. Subsequent convictions would bring a fine of $500 or a three-month jail sentence. I think that these drastic measures are completely necessary in order to make our roads safer and prevent more accidents from happening. When dealing with life or death, extreme measures must be taken. As of now texting or talking on cell phones while driving is considered to be a secondary offense. However, bills that have been passed within the past few months in the Senate addressed the issue as a primary offence, but the bill will take effect next year.
I believe that texting or talking on the phone should be considered to be a primary offense because of the severity of the careless action, which most citizens take lightly or casually on a daily basis. There almost is never a day that goes by in my life where I do not see another driver on the road that is talking or texting on their cell phones. I myself have taken matters into my own hands by forming the habit of keeping my purse in the back seat of my car so that I am not tempted to answer my phone if it should ring. I know and understand that it is an extremely tempting act to just answer a text message quickly, but the reality of it is, that it can potentially take or harm lives.
Sexting is the act of someone recieving or sending an explicit image or anything nude via picture message. If one was to receive a pornographic picture of someone who is a minor, and they choose to send it to a network of people, the sending to more and more people is an endless cycle. This kind of scenario has been occurring too often in young adolescence and can potentially ruin childrens' lives, self esteem and reputation forever. Like texting and driving, the action of sending a picture to others seems harmless, but in retrospect can cause severe damage and harm to many. This is why I believe that harsh laws should be passed in order to prevent sexting from causing more damage. I believe in such a strict action against sexting because I understand the horrific damage that it could do simply from sending a message that will never be able to be taken back. Especially for kids during their adolescence, most girls go through self esteem issues and are vulnerable to this kind of incident to happen to them. We need to take action as a nation to protect our children from being exposed.
Currently in Florida, the first offense of sexting would be punishable by eights hours of community service or a $60 fine. A teen convicted of sexting a fourth time could be charged with a third-degree felony, punishable by a maximum of five years in prison and a $5,000 fine. Forwarding a nude or semi-nude picture of an underage ex-girl(boy)friend can be prosecuted as distribution of child pornography. I agree with this prosecution because similar to texting while driving, it is an act, which is usually taken lightly or carelessly thought out, but the consequences of the act can be fatal. The strict and harsh laws and punishments for sexting are made in order to protect the citizens of the Unites States, specifically our very own young juvenile daughters during their most insecure and vulnerable age and phase of their lives. A simple picture message could easily ruin a young girl's reputation of self esteem forever. This kind of trauma is extremely hard to handle and could be permanent in most cases. We need to take action because almost every school, now of days, has an unfortunate story like this, all because of one poor decision. The extreme laws are necessary in order to prevent future scenarios from occurring. Unfortunately, these types of law adjustments are the only dependable way to make a difference on the matter. Hence, I feel that it is extremely reasonable to do whatever it takes in order to maintain a more moral society.
I believe that if a teenager is caught sexting, that they should be prosecuted under Megan's Law and be registered as a sex offender. If an adult were to have CONSENSUAL sex with a minor, they would be prosecuted under Megan's Law as a third level sex offender. If the prosecution is so strict on someone that had consensual sex with someone that was a minor, the same level of punishment should go towards someone that ruined a girl's reputation and damaged her life forever. Megan's Law would enforce a mugshot of the offender, along with their name and address to be send to everyone in the neighborhood or community in order to let the citizens know who could potentially be a threat to them and their families. I believe that someone that is involved in sexting should be punished severely in order to serve as an example for the rest of our children so that less of them should go through the trauma that is caused by sending a simple picture message via mobile devices.
References:
1. Sexting
Monday, May 16, 2011
About Me
My name is Elana Cohen...My major is recently Liberal Arts During my spare time I enjoy...
- Dancing
- Catching up on movies
- Cooking/Baking
- Relax at the beach
- Going to the gym
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