Undolog.com

Lately I've received several requests for inclusion of banner ads within undolog.com. I decided, well, to formalize and rioganizzare advertising space on this blog, perhaps the least invasive available. In banner ads (like Google AdSense) and donations via PayPal does not try some extra income, but a blog requires resources and some help is always very welcome.
However I have always tried not to "papering" the blog banner all over the place and of any kind, maintaining a layout as clean as possible and leaving the article as a central element.

The idea that came to my mind, trying to find the right balance between banners spread and the possibility of sponsorship, is to adopt a post! In practice you can apply for certain posts (which are mostly viewed in the list at the end of this blog) the insertion in the head and / or post at the end of your advertising, possibly inherent in the post itself.

For example, in the reminder of this writing remains one of the most viewed post How to put Google Maps in your web , with 17410 views. If you have services or products related to Google Map or otherwise affecting the Internet, development and technology, you can make the request for inclusion in the head and / or post at the end of your advertising, the maximum size of 640 × 80 pixels.

Continued ...

Let's see how the 'advertising (hereafter Adv) is involved in the new dynamics introduced by Web 2.0 (as a user-generated) and mobility. As we mentioned, a first element in common that the Adv and DRM is the need to be present on devices Player.
The Adv plays an important role in the scenario of mobile and Net TV. New technologies have enabled an unprecedented Advaita, making it dynamic, interactive and "intelligent."

Continued ...

Audio

Continuing the discussion on DRM I would like to do now some considerations on the file formats and what can be "actually bought" and how the Internet and a PC.

First you need to keep in mind that not everything can be "really" bought with the Internet, at least not with the rapid and efficient formula for the download. When the MP3 format began to become popular, it went from 20Mbyte of a song, excerpt from an audio CD, compressed file to 2M, a time-saving download 10 times lower (with variations depending on the length of the song original and the type used MP3 compression). At the time, then, was the standard dial-up modem or 56K, so the MP3 format was a real revolution that has produced all that we see today in music on the Internet radio streaming, iTunes , P2P Applications, ability to listen to hundreds of songs in our car and mobile phone, etc. ...

MP3s downloaded to a PC, these can again be converted to audio CDs and burn, so be played just like an original audio CD and without obligation to the particular devices that can read MP3 compressed format (even though today all latest devices and not only recognize MP3, DivX, AVI, JPG, etc ...). At the same time the network has been able to even find all the kit to play an original disc coopertine so who had time and inclination, could "rebuild" at home a remarkable facsimile of an audio CD, similar to that found in any store. The evolution and the low cost of inkjet printers (as is happening with photography-digital) of blank CDs and cases, have resulted in an increase of Piracy Audio esponensiale is that the "do-it-yourself production" of CD! You can even recreate the print on the blank CD superfiecie, making the final product substantially identical to the one purchased in the store (or purchased by mail)!
In practice, in short, with minimal expense to recreate the complete package of an audio CD at home, without discotics too original. We understand how all this has had and still has a considerable impact on the entire recording industry worldwide. Hence the protective systems become a central element, probably lagging the phenomenon itself.

Software Applications

I purchase and download the procedure has its maximum expression with the software applications. When you purchase software, of course, what matters most is just the "file" box and kit, in this case, are completely irrelevant. In the DRM software applications are conducive atmosphere as the only device that can work is the Personal Computer. At the time of purchase, in addition, the end user indicates the type of personal computer and operating system that has, so "verticalization" all security procedures: how the activation keys, often working only for that special "edition "application.
In the near future, however, the inclusion of operating systems in mobile devices (see the Apple iPhone) could impact on the procedures for software protection. It is clear that, in short, you can use, for example, Adobe Photoshop on our phone (or something similar, given the evolution of next generation mobile phone)! In this thing we will be forced to purchase separate licenses for use on personal computers and various mobile devices (and not) in our possession?
The breath of fresh air brought by Web 2.0 has given way to a series of "beta" designed to "move" the software, as we know, directly on the network. Adobe, for example, has announced a version of Photoshop can be accessed via your Internet browser. Different devices accessing the network will have the opportunity to use the same software. And the licenses? How is this managed?

Film video

For video, or a movie praticolare, the speech is very different! First of all, you have not found a compression format that it can be really compared to MP3. Although significant progress has been made, the video, at least to a certain quality (comparable to the famous VHS), is "heavy" and difficult to treat, both in terms of memory usage both in terms of computing time. A piece of music lasts a couple of minutes, the second less than the second, a film, by contrast, reaches an average of 90 minutes! In the end it was the reason for the development and dissemination of the elder brother of the CD: the DVD. The CD was designed for music, so basically 700Mb were sufficient, but with the video we wanted something bigger and the DVD was the answer!
When we have to do with the video the only task of scanning (conversion from raw format to a compressed video format such as AVI or MP4) computation time required machines and out of the reach of most people. Download a movie from the Internet to be able to burn still requires discrete time, which often discourage the most from even trying.
In the movies in DVD format, then digital has opened up new forms of presentation and content. In a DVD, in fact, is not normally present only the film but are placed in support subtitles in various languages ​​(which occupy space), audio tracks in different languages ​​(which take up space ..), special inserts, additional content, final altertnativi , custom framing, cards of the characters, usable sections of a normal PC! So a great amount of data that, if they should be downloaded from the Internet quickly, require a banda "dream"! However with time, when the connection speed will increase and the computers will be faster, but these obstacles are overcome and the ability to "buy" a movie from the network may become feasible. Do not forget, however, that the era of high definition is practically begun. A high-definition movie evidently contains much more information than those available today. We witness, therefore, to a spiral between the increase in the size of the video and the Internet bandwidth available.

The metamorphosis of the CD into DVD, which has initiated the era of digital video, is to be found today in the transition from DVD to Blu-Ray (Sony) or HD-DVD (Toshiba), technological advances required by the amount of data that high definition brings with it!

Most likely, therefore, in the short term, the convergence of the Internet / DVD will be difficult, at best restricted to a few privileged users, as already happens with Sky (which offers its high definition) in respect of DTT, without the traditional resolutions.

The first steps, then, moved by the latest Microsoft Xbox 360 and Sony Playstation 3, indicate that HD is ready to spread like wildfire, helped by information already disseminated in PC monitors 19-inch resolution 1280 × 1024 a little 'everywhere!

Publishing

The publishing industry, on the other hand, has certainly suffered less damage than everyone. Replicate a book, in fact, it is not convenient. A book lives because of its shape, the quality of its paper, the size of layout, for the peculiarity of the press, all features difficult to replicate in today's home environment. Recreating a book, after downloading from the Internet, is far from simple. Also "digitize" a book is not so easy, unless someone invents a "3D scanner" able to "copy" a text without opening it! Despite these characteristics peculiar happen to find some "chunk" of text on the net! But the damage is minimal, even on the Internet, because it is still very uncomfortable, at least for certain content: essays, novels, comics and more.

Experience of publishing in the end we see some indication of the possible solution to the problem of DRM in audio, video and software in general. Protecting a file compartment has long been a result. There is always someone ready to undermine the sophisticated safeguards are used. It is obvious that if you can not protect a file from the copy, then worth prevent the use, forget it and concentrate instead on the "why" you buy an original product. Entice the end user to purchase a legal copy of a CD, a DVD or software, can be done by offering those features that can not be replicated by a "pirate copy"!
For software, for example, assistance, access to restricted areas on the network, gadgets, special promotions on other products, free invitations to events and presentations are some of the "technical" or activities that can lead to ' purchase of an "original" an end-user.

So I think that the solution of the problem may lie in the same end user. This must be willing to buy a product, make sure you get the "service" at the end, could not possibly get because they do not "replicable."

Continued ...

Premise

Since the topic long enough, I decided to divide it into several posts I will publish as.

Introduction

From the IT point of view, and in relation to new technologies, advertising and DRM (Digital Right Management) have much in common, especially today where they both play a key role in building the Net TV platform. In particular, they need to exist, to play an active yet non-invasive.

Both try to not be "bypassed"!
Both protect investments!

These problems, in the end, there have always been, but what has changed today?
Why is it so difficult to protect a resource or place an adv of a brand?

The main feature of the Net TV is to be an Internet-based technology, is extremely accessible for those who do, both for those who are benefiting. The absence, therefore, of particular devices for its existence make it a very open system, subject to the known rules of the Network.
The tools to deliver Net TV are all available directly on the Internet: Video Player, streaming systems, director of rooms, etc. ... Capture a video, then, with a webcam or mobile phone, an activity that is within everyone's reach. In this beta, so everyone can contribute to the evolution of Net TV, developing components or simply giving their views on whether or not a particular system.

DRM

Protecting digital content from copies indiscrimanate is an ancient problem, going back to the early days of computing. If at first the issue was essentially the so-called applications, computer programs to be clear, today - in an era of mass digitization - where everything is precisely Digitized (photos, movies, music, books, ...) the problem is taking on the appearance of a nightmare, both for the authors of the Work and for end users!
Although it is possible to protect digital content, new forms of use of these contents have completely disjointed system that, despite some limitations, has allowed so far to limit illegal copies of movies on DVD or Playstation games, and has guaranteed economic transitions on the Internet or ATM citizens. The question, therefore, is not so much in the protection system, intended as a cipher, but in its location.

The software (understood as an application), contained in an environment like the Internet has completely changed the system of standards adopted to date. The standards, in fact, have provided a real opportunity to market a product while helping security systems.

When Philips invented the Compact Disk (CD), to understand, this was adopted as the new standard for support - and listening - music. Any electronics company could create their own CD players (paying the patent to Philips), but had to respect certain formats: standard indeed! If the electronics industry to adopt each of our standards, that is, its unique features and techniques in the production of a CD - and therefore also for the discs themselves - no one would listen to more music! Depending on the type of CD you purchased, you should find the corresponding disc and the end ... hell!
The standards are therefore essential for the market and the spread of a product, as they ensure the end user. Any CD player will be able to read our favorite record without forcing us to change the whole - or almost - stereo!
Recently, for example, the controversy Blu-Ray (Sony) and HD-DVD (Toshiba), focused in the right direction to create systems that, although different, would allow not to require such a drastic end users. Moreover, not always the best technology is the one that will prevail in the market. There are so many, in fact, the variables that come into play in the affirmation of one standard over another, as happened, for example, with the system in VHS VCRs!

To date, however, despite the electronics companies are certainly not a few, proposals for new technologies and standards are maintained in a control. Not all companies, in fact, investing in "research push" and "pure research". So in the end, are a little 'always the same companies to innovate in a swing that gives time to the market to consume the old technologies and open doors to new ones.

In doing so, it has an important opportunity to agree on where to put the protection systems and choose what type of protection taken. All CD, for example, are equal, as they are in fact the readers. It becomes, therefore, quite natural to find an agreement to enter code and controls in these devices.

What would happen if each of us to realize a new standard?

In fact it is exactly what is happening today in the Internet age. Technology has simplified both in terms of Hardware and Software from the point of view. The audio formats available today (such as video) are numerous, nonstante - then - only a few can really define standards.

If we add that the "real world" has gone to the "virtual" - or digital - the Internet, we understand how easy it is for anyone to access, quickly and globally, to technologies previously unthinkable. Today anyone with a little effort, can achieve its Video Player on the Internet. At one time, on the contrary, make their own laser reader in the garage was an investment to say the least risky, both in terms of cost and time!

Last but not least, then, all this is added the problem of cross-media, or the possibility of using the same digital content across multiple physical devices and various even once! The explosion of this exceptional ability was occasioned by the spread of the MP3 music format (and derivatives) and the simultaneous increase of devices able to read it. An MP3 file, in fact, can be heard on a personal computer, a gaming console, a DVD Video, a stereo with CD player, portable CD player, an Apple iPod, a cell phone and all other devices - mobile - in continuous production (USB keys with built-in headphones, like iPod, ...). In short, a real boon for the end user, a nightmare for Authors!

Attempts to put the DRM in the neo-musical world has proven quite disastrous. The use of protective systems, such as that offered by Apple's iTunes, in fact limit the freedom of the end user can use the "purchased product" as it sees fit: if you buy a song on a particular store, I can not be forced to listen only with special tools (hardware or software), the only ones to determine its authenticity. This way is not the concept of "acquisition of rights of use" of the song, in this case, it would be more correct to say that you buy a service (limited) listening to a song with special hardware and software . All this brings with it the additional problem: the guarantee - minimum - the temporal continuity of what you bought! Some people, for example, can still hear the "old vinyl" to 33 laps, paradoxically, are proving more longevity than you might think. If the store I must provide the player (that binds me to certain ways of listening to validate the DRM), when the player is no longer available what happens to the piece I bought? If I find myself in circumstances, which can not meet the required mode of listening, how can I listen to my song? From this perspective it would be more correct to speak of "throwaway songs", with a maximum charge of 5 cents and the euro - and more - today!
This scenario is devastating in cross-media perspective: if you buy a piece of music I want and pretend to listen to him on the phone instead of on your home stereo, or any other device available. If not "kill" this era of mobile daughter fantastic opportunity! Mobile, therefore, does not mean "mobile" or "phone". More and more devices "mobile" laptops, iPods, notebook, pen-drive, etc. ... It is therefore not possible in this scenario, buying the same piece of music for different devices, just to give "credit" to DRM . No one and no one would, in fact, it will.

Today it is not possible to know with certainty where and with what content will be enjoyed! (A matter of extreme importance that invests, as we shall see later, is the type of content that advertising)

Moreover, all these mobile devices, along with the fixed (such as personal computers, next-generation TVs, DVD / CD / DivX / xxx-Player), are interconnected in various ways: through the Internet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, P2P with a lead in peer-to-peer!

Mobility also becomes co-operation between devices or aggregation of different devices, so you can use the iPod as the audio player and send the music to a notebook or un'impianto stereo!

It is therefore unlikely to find the uniqueness of the device in this era!

That alone would be sufficient to demolish the DRM forever, as rights to operate the system must be present on both the device and the digital content. On this last element, then the question becomes even more complex. First of all, we speak broadly of files, they both audio, video, applications, PDF documents or whatever. Second, by definition, a file copy, and is extremely easy to carry anywhere, as we have already mentioned. Third, the attack of a hacker, then altering the file itself, it is more affordable than ever!

At the end of the scenario that you paint the eyes of the authors is as follows:

• Inability to act on the device, as this is too diverse and changing the lock would be the end of the hall portability understood as mobility
• Inability to act on the file, as this too can be manipulated and accessible

In short, being a human being, in the end, the purchaser (the person, the end user, who buys the rights to use), for having to engage fineremo under the skin (or take with us) to validate an RFID Our digital content! This way only someone who has this "digital-signature" can enjoy that content on any device. However, even this solution, which apparently simplifies the issues of device and file-content, may have important drawbacks, such as to prevent the use of the content in our absence - that is, in law and therefore the approval of DRM. In practice, if someone wants to enjoy the content we buy, we are forced to lend our RFID-DRM, colleague, friend or relative who is! But depriving yourself!

All devices, therefore, should support RFID, performing a cross-check between digital content and information contained in RFID itself. A third inconvenience, however, that does not solve the problem! It would not take much to hack the system, either on the file-content, or RFID.

Moreover, in case of software devices, as Player on your Internet browser for example, the 'hacking would be immediate!

The experience gained from years of software piracy (piracy in general or in any case, the DVD and other formats) now makes it possible to know, at least in advance, what can be bypassed or not. Excluded, therefore, proprietary systems or weak diffusion (such as Freeview or Sky prepaid card), which are now a world apart, protect digital content from the network, it is audio or video, which seem difficult, if not impossible.

Continued ...

Following the presentation of the book by Thomas Tessarolo , " NET TV: Internet TV will change forever , "was particularly interesting for those who have been lucky, like myself, to be present. All very nice: refresh (good ones of Italian Farm - bold initiative-see), plasma screens, guests and actors!
This event offered a rare opportunity, if not only, for discussion of a topic more relevant than ever, the new Net TV, precisely!

Interventions in commenting on the book and the dynamics related to it were all, without distinction, very interesting and enlightening: the same Tessarolo, who commented on the chapters of the book, guests have said according to their respective points of view .

Particularly significant, in my opinion, was the speech by Roberta Enni of RAI ( see interview event by Antonio Pavolini of RadioImago ), which managed to shift the focus to a higher level, thanks to his experience RAI, broadcasters - public and mass - for excellence.

The prospects and issues raised in the book of Tessarolo, the potential of a non-linear TV (on demand) questions related to 'advertising and DRM (Digital Right Management), involving all participants, even those most skeptical of an imminent turnaround of television as we all know it - or we used to know. This phenomenon, therefore, interested in, is observed and followed closely, but not necessarily cry out to the revolution, as pointed out - rightly - by David Bogi, Head of New Projects Digital Terrestrial Mediaset .

Roberta Enni, in his speech, he highlighted some important issues, both regarding the current state television (DTT, Sky, broadcast, public) is linked to a possible scenario - also - the Net TV. This, of course, still suffers from some important shortcomings:

• This technology is "somewhat" evolved, at least for the average computer-cultural in our country, which makes it articulated, not so much in the realization (after all it is easier to Net TV and traditional TV), as in use. We, therefore, a country with a low technological culture (Enni thank you for the compliment made ​​all of us participants, stressing that "if a bomb exploded at the presentation of the book Tessarolo, the cultural level-Italian technological stoop much") not always, however, because of us end users.
• The Digital Divide, which flows from the previous point, makes the issue even more sensitive. It is so embarrassing - point blank - to invest large sums of money and time on a technology that has, at the base of its operations and its spread, need for broadband connections. Despite the increase (fortunately) of broadband connections, we are still a country at 56 Kbps and, in some areas, not even that!
• It is not entirely clear, and perhaps even wrong, as they embark on a migration from the PC - the desktop - to a TV (or monitor) from the living room. The Net TV to replace traditional television?
• I am not clear about the rules of the market to 'advertising, publicity and sponsors! All the dynamics applied to traditional television (and others) can not - and probably should not - be applied in this context, otherwise break up, as has happened in the past.
• DRM, as happened with the music, undermining content that, apart from the experience UGC (User Generated Content - the Web2.0 revolution) still remains poor, with few exceptions.

Judge, in the short or long term, a technology such as Net TV, trying to overlay, highlighting virtues and defects, to traditional television, is perhaps the one that absolutely should not be done. However, for those already working in the television industry, both for those who became part coming from other experiences, there is no doubt that somewhere must even starts ...

As has already happened with the music and publishing, video over the Internet may evolve and grow in parallel to traditional television. The differences, both positive and negative, along with the difficulty of framing at all costs dynamics tested in other contexts, such as DRM and advertising, they just show that the Net TV is something very new and different, it has very little to do with traditional television.

We could fall into deception, because of the video so similar to the beloved TV, but this technology, which is the ability to express themselves through sound and moving images on the Net, has much more to offer than a simple (and very profitable) clash with TV (general) traditional.

David Boggi ( see interview event by Antonio Pavolini of RadioImago ), for example, carefully points out how the same format has different levels of penetration and audience in relation to user experience, or the device used and the context of benefiting from them. This therefore means that some content for Net TV will be totally different from the content that we know now, at least the same content on the Net TV will have a different and unexpected result.

This does not mean, however, that the living room TV will not change anything! What is certain is that it will evolve, both in technology and in content offerings.
From the technological point of view, as a television appliance, it must improve by incorporating tools and digital devices (such as DTT and embedded devices standard digital input: see USB). Must allow use of cross-media content, as happens today with the music and mp3.
Dal punto di vista dei contenuti, l'avvento della Net TV non potrà che far bene, visto il crollo degli ascolti della TV generalista negli ultimi anni.

Nota sull' on demand
La possibilità di poter scegliere un contenuto, decidere quando e dove vederlo (PSP, TV, Monitor PC, iPod, …), sono caratteristiche note ai navigatori Internet, i quali hanno già sperimentato questa libertà. Ad esempio, con la musica: scaricando un mp3, masterizzandolo su un CD da ascoltare nello stereo o copiandolo sul proprio iPod, per ascoltarlo all'aria aperta; nell'editoria elettronica: andando sul sito di Repubblica.it per stampare un articolo in PDF o leggerlo online.
Tuttavia, scegliere, decidere cosa guardare e dove guardarlo, è un'azione che richiede energia, una volontà che la televisione tradizionale non ha mai richiesto. La TV – al massimo – propone degli appuntamenti (palinsesto), un “incontro di massa “ .
A chi non è capitato, accendendo la TV, di imbattersi in un Film posseduto nella propria videoteca?! Eppure, proprio perchè trasmesso su quel canale, a quell'orario, si viene alla fine catturati, coinvolti nella tradizionale rete televisiva .
Può darsi che le nuove generazioni siano portate (o dotate) più a scegliere e meno a fruire in modo passivo .
Credo, tuttavia, che a volte non si ha voglia di scegliere! Si ha la necessità, invece, che sia qualcun'altro a scegliere per noi, che decida cosa, quando e dove essere presenti .
Perchè? Per non finire come l'asino di Buridano. Per capirci, è lo stesso meccanismo che anima le radio – anche quelle tematiche su Internet – ovvero il piacere di “ adesso cosa fanno”? L'inaspettato, quindi, è anch'esso – a mio giudizio – un elemento essenziale che non si dovrebbe perdere. Ne deriva che la possibilità, e ribadisco possibilità , di scegliere è un passo avanti che tuttavia non può e non deve cancellare le dinamiche odierne. Lo stesso Tessarolo, infatti, sottolinea «[...] che la Net TV sarà prevalentemente non lineare, quindi di fatto che prevarrà la modalità a richiesta. Cosa significa questo? Che finirà la pratica dello zapping o che non ameremo più avere degli appuntamenti con la TV? Assolutamente no, anzi. Entrambe le abitudini, anche nell'era della Net TV, rimarranno profondamente radicate. Solo, in alcuni casi, tenderanno a essere “esercitate” in modo doverso.»

Per concludere, l'argomento Net TV si dimostra vasto, ricco ed estremamente interessante, principalmente perchè spinge sia chi se ne occupa a livello tecnico/informatico, sia chi fa televisione da anni e chi ne usufruisce, a cambiare il modo di pensare. In particolare l' advertising ei DRM andranno rivisti in un'ottica totalmente nuova e – ad oggi – quasi imprevedibile.

Dunque, il libro di Tommaso Tessarolo può ben considerarsi un must , da avere e leggere assolutamente, per chi vuole intraprendere il viaggio verso questa nuova frontiera, apertasi in maniera quasi inaspettata, figlia della Rete , che molto probabilmente rappresenta, senza esagerare, la più grande rivoluzione globale mai avvenuta nella storia dell'umanità.

Continued ...