RSSMedia's NMT Blog

The ruling today by the US Supreme Court puts back peer-to-peer networking significantly. Whilst Sony weren't responsible for the illegal copying performed by users of Betamax machines in 1984, the creators of file-sharing networks are responsible for illegal activity conducted over their networks. Is this a case of corporatism versus creativity, or is it unfair to stereotype 'the men in suits'? If the statistic of 90% of peer-to-peer network traffic being illegal activity, perhaps the judges were right? Incidentally, on Saturday the Guardian had a detailed article on the perils of letting your children loose on file-sharing networks, with some useful statistics.

The BBC seem intent on pushing the idea of digital plumbers - people who will sort out the wireless configuration of your home. Such an idea is a signal that wireless networks - and the possibilties of digital media distribution around the home - are becoming mainstream.

A while ago we had news of 'Xbox leg' (okay, it wasn't called that, but it should have been) and now there's news of 'Playstation thumb'. As silly as these stories sound, they demonstrate two things: playing video games can be dangerous; and video games also have the ability to hold the attention of youg people, so often said to have very short attention spans. As reported before, videogames really are good for you.

Despite all the things you can do with new media technologies, from interacting with others socially, to sharing information, to deciding the future course of tv programmes etc etc, it seems the ultimate purpose for all new techs is to show TV programmes (well, perhaps not allnew techs). As well as BSkyB using broadband for TV, and video on mobiles, Microsoft are developing their own version of BitTorrent software. This is a welcome return for peer-to-peer networking software, so much maligned after Napster, KaZaA and BitTorrent to name just a few. Amongst other things, TV programmes can be downloaded and watched on-demand, and with American programmes often long before they're aired in the UK. If you haven't come across BitTorrent, there's a good article on the Guardian's website. The principle is very similar to previous popular versions of peer-to-peer software: users can share whatever is on their hard disc, or can locate material others have put on the internet. The only problem is that much of the shared material is copyrighted... and as parents are now starting to realise, this can be expensive. Of course the concept of being able to access virtually any TV programmes and films on-demand is a very attractive one; users will continue to break the law until a legitimate and comprehensive service is available, regardless of a few high-profile court cases. Music downloading has been transformed over the past two years or so, not as a result of legal action but surely as a result of the ease of use of services such as the iTunes store; users will pay if given the option. With broadband rates soaring in the UK, the demand can only grow.

Freeview is now in 5 million homes, giving it around a third of the digital tv market. Clearly Sky isn't the only player in digital tv revolution, probably a relief to the government who are hoping to switch off the analogue signal: if Sky's virtual monopoly of the platform had continued questions would have been asked about the legitimacy of a switch off.

Wired has more news on the replacement of radio DJs with podcasts. It offers lots of excellent examples of how the radio industry is changing as a result of new media technologies. The obligatory mention of Apple's iPod is in there, showing that even if other (arguably better) players are on the market, the iPod is culturally the most significant.

Radio 4 had a useful edition of Shop Talk this afternoon about the rise of the 'pro-am', the amateurs who crossover into the professional world. The second half of the programme had a discussion about Wikipedia and then the modding of videogames, both strong examples of new technologies bringing a more democratic flavour to the media. The programme was marred by reference to the Crazy Frog phenomenon and how that too arose from a keen amateur... You can listen to it here.

The BBC has news of a podcaster offering 'tartan rock' - apparently it's ignored by mainstream media outlets, which is why it's a great example of how technologies like podcasting can be a challenge to traditional media institutions and a democratic force. Listen here.

Disney are looking to exploit online gaming as both a revenue stream in its own right and as an advertisement for its theme parks. Given that gaming is good for you, and that the next generation of console games are certain to come ready to plug in to you broadband connection (or not plug in if you invest in wireless - extra with an Xbox 360), it looks like the South Koreans had it right all along. Or perhaps not.

If you're responsible then you should be ashamed. This is clearly what happens when songs can be downloaded in the privacy of people's homes; the 'add to basket' button never smirks at your choices, does it? To put a positive spin on the whole thing, it at least demonstrates that mobile phones are so absorbed into mainstream culture that a ringtone of all things can be the best selling single. Next they'll be making films based on videogames...

I've posted about this before, but it keeps coming up in the news. Playing videogames is good for you - surely this is close to getting an official seal of approval? The Guardian's Jim McClellan explores the proposition further, finding lots of evidence that gaming is being put to good educational use. Here's the book by Steven Johnson that's caused the recent fuss.

George Lucas' 'War of the Worlds' is the focus of a piece on Wired about digital cinema production. The article is detailed about hardware and also explores the implications for mainstream Hollywood - very useful for thinking about how institutions benefit from new media technologies. Given the recent news about digital projection technology, it looks likely that the days of using film to make films are numbered. Steven Soderbergh is also in on the act, making digital films that can be released at the cinema, on DVD and on TV at the same time. The rhetoric refers to consumer choice, but someone somewhere must think there's money in it. One thing is clear: cinema's future is digital.

Wired magazine has an excellent article on the forthcoming Xbox 360. It examines the evidence that Microsoft will beat Sony this time, and that the console is a 'trojan horse', taking over the living room and allowing Microsoft to be at the centre of digital enertainment of every type. The BBC has a handy guide, including video! It's sure to take over the world when you see the range of fronts (sorry, 'faceplates') you can buy - more to come soon, no doubt...