Sony Picture Package VCD maker

I'm asked if I can transfer some video footage from a Sony Handycam DCR-HC35. Sounds simple enough so I happily install Sony's software package "Sony Picture Package VCD Maker".

Problem 1. After the install routine has completed I try hooking up the camera. A warning flashes up that I should have installed Macromedia Flash Player. This'll sound odd perhaps, but I don't need Flash on my machine, so I've never installed it. If webmasters are daft enough to craft websites using Flash that's their lookout and their loss.

Problem 2. I bite the bullet and install Flash (having a feeling I will be rolling back the machine with a system restore or maybe formatting the whole drive again to clean this mess up...) and guess what? The Sony software doesn't recognize my DVDRW drive. The real stinger is my computer is a Sony Vaio - they don't support their OWN HARDWARE.

Then it occurred to me that I'd been going about it the wrong way. I already have Nero and the "Nero Vision" part of the suite does video capture. Now Nero DOES recognize my DVDRW drive so I thought I'd be onto a winner. Unfortunately, it CAN'T recognize the Sony Camcorder!

The only thing left to try would be to re-install the copy of Adobe Premiere that came with the laptop originally but I'm loathe to do that due to a complete lack of faith that it will actually work, and my undying hatred of Adobe in general.

Next attempt will involve some actual video capture hardware. Let's face it, there must be a way to get this to work.

RIAA wins court case

Shockingly, the RIAA have successfully won the case against Jammie Thomas and been awarded damages of $222000 for her UNPROVEN "sharing" of 17 MP3 songs that she didn't own the copyright to.

She could have broken into the houses of 17 people and stolen a CD and got much less of a fine. In fact she could probably have gone on a nationwide crime spree and got a smaller punishment. Of course, if she had committed any "normal" kind of crime, the prosecutors would have been forced to produce evidence, rather than conjecture.

I'm glad I live in the UK. I don't use filesharing sites, but that doesn't seem to matter as the RIAA can sue you regardless of whether they can prove you were sharing files at all. They have in the past filed cases against people who don't own a computer or an internet connection.

Manners maketh man

What is the problem with people? I'm stuck today behind a car that's stopped right in the middle of the road. While I'm sat there wonder what on earth they are doing, the back door opens and this old lady climbs out. The car drives away. Since it's obvious she got out on the wrong side and wants to get to the other side of the road, I check my mirrors for any approaching motorbikes or cyclists coming up behind me, so as it's clear I smile politely and indicate to her she can cross - I won't run her over.

Now, when someone does me a favour, particularly someone I'm keeping waiting I'd have the decency to smile a thank you. The look this lady gives me could be translated as "I should think so young man" or more likely "Sod you, I'd have crossed anyway. Do you know who I am?".

Old people...one day I'm going to be one. Maybe I am one already and that's how I should behave.