13 Apr 2006 AlanHorkan   » (Master)

Microsoft screws you again

Windows Media player has been getting worse for years. Media Player 6 had a fairly straightforward usable interface, albeit with a few strange permanently disabled buttons. Microsoft then dumped the standard interface widgets and added lots of junk and clutter, and more features than you can shake a stick at.
Naively I thought things couldn't get any worse and installed Media Player 10. Initially I was pleased by the slightly less nebulous user interface, but beneath the surface lurked more insidious changes. Then Digital Restrictions Management (DRM) started harassing me and asking to connect to the internet to check for licenses where none had been needed before. The worst part of this "upgrade" is how it poisoned the whole system and crippled Media Player Classic too.
Avoid Media Player 10 like the plague that it is. Don't put up with this C.R.A.P.[1] and allow you computer to be held hostage. Yet another reason to avoid Microsoft and marvel as Gstreamer continues to improve.

Rant with me... or add your own comments.

[1] C.R.A.P. stands for Content, Restriction, Annulment, and Protection. The publishers promoting DRM claim it stands for Digital Rights Management and critics describe it more accurately as Digital Restrictions Management. Copyright protects publishers and it is their copyrights which are being managed and the users fair use rights which are being restricted. Calling it CRAP removes any ambiguity.

Update: Added plenty of links, to help Google know the true meaning of this DRM CRAP. Damn price gouging pigolists.

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