Re: [DMCA-Activists] MP3 decoding royalties

[Matthew Caron]

> You will be disappointed if you convert existing mp3 files to ogg files, as 
> you will then have all the lossiness of mp3 PLUS the lossiness of ogg vorbis

No, doing such a thing would be foolish.
.
> If your mp3s were ripped from your own CDs, I recommend strongly you re-rip 
> your CDs directly into ogg format.  It is true that ogg sounds better than 
> mp3 (at least to me), but only if ripped from a good source.

I was planning on doing so.

> FWIW converting ogg to mp3 has the same problem (I've done that in order to 
> use a portable mp3 player ... when will we finally get our portable ogg 
> players?)

I dunno. 

Here's a question: My guess would be that the Archos Jukebox has a
custom MP3 codec-on-a-chip that does the conversion.

BUT - if it's not; if it's a general purpose processor doing it in
software, then the.. what is it, RockBox? firmware replacement COULD to
Ogg instead! Such a thing would be rather nifty.

> > 4.) Writing and distributing a decoder counts as what? Patent
> > infringement?
> Only in those countries that recognize software patents (a small minority of 
> the world BTW)

Okay, here's a question for the list, given that we're talking about
countries. 

Recent US actions in the wake of 9/11, both foreign and domestic,  make
me ashamed to call myself an American. So, I'm considering uprooting and
moving. Problem is, I can't find a place to move to. What I'm looking
for:

1.) English or French (which I'd have to relearn, but I speak enough to
get by) speaking.

2.) Strong history of personal firearms ownership, as I am of the
opinion that crime rises when people are unable to defend themselves.

3.) Decent tech opportunities for someone with a sysadmin type
background.

4.) A slower pace of life than the Northeastern US. The people here are
all crazy.

5.) A country that doesn't run amok about the globe trying to run
everyone else's playground.

I was actually thinking about New Zealand, but I couldn't get a clear
answer on the firearms laws. Plus, it's far.

Any ideas?
-- 
MS Windows is only cheaper than Linux if you
steal it.
                        - Matt and Liz
~~ Matt Caron ~~