Who needs DRM when we have WindowsXP SP2?

[eiapoce]

Hi there.

I usually do not post. But today I feel like making a exception. Today someone steal my freedom to talk and discuss with a friend.

Actually my friend sent me a music file over Windows Messenger:

È stato ricevuto il file C:\Documents and Settings\utente\Documenti\File ricevuti\-x-chingon_-_malaguena_salerosa.mp3 inviato da xxx

This is the italian message that says you received a file (a mp3). This is fairly normal and I didn't encouter any problem in doing that since today. The file was sent on porpouse and we are fairly confident it was not a virus or anything dangerous.

But Windows XP Sp2 in its indecent "for your own protection" scheme decided that the file was actually dangerous. And it prompted a pop-up stating: "The file is potentially dangerous and it was blocked" - As a matter of fact we all know that such files can be really dangerous for well known monopolies...

Nevermind. I thought I can open in the usual directory and virus/check it before starting winamp...

What I didn't expect was the automated DELETING / REMOVAL of such dangerous file from my HardDrive - I have been looking for the directory, I have been searching all my HardDrive - GONE! And gone also the possibility to discuss about it with my friend!

That's a really big step forward in consumer satisfaction and in DRM managment.

Thanks for your attenction.
Enrico - Italy - Disgrunted.

[Adz]

the problem you have is with Messenger, not windows XP.

i've not recieved an mp3 file beginning with the - character, and wonder if this is the problem.

Eitherway, it is nothing to do with windows xp.

[eiapoce]

Eitherway, it is nothing to do with windows xp.

Well After documenting myself: it has to do wih Windows XP Sp2 and its attach management system (Office, Messenger, Outlook and possibly others)

Anyway here is a patch for messenger: http://www.mess.be/pafiledb/pafiledb.php?action=file&id=663

Personally I am now asking friends to switch to Skype.

Enrico

[Adz]

well you said it yourself, a patch for messenger, the problem is not with windows xp.

[Sirber]

Get Trillian, Gaim, Miranda IM, whatever else and be a man ;)

[Adz]

or MSN 6.2 like me :p

[Shinigami-Sama]

actualy, it delete mp3's even if you make them yourself with the sound recorded, and sometimes throttles them to about 1k/s
I did some tests with my friends, then again, msn also shows about 3 of my friends offline when I'm talking to them too so..
in short, msn just fails :)

[shevegen]

Damn you guys still using Windows ? ;)

[siddharthagandhi]

I wonder what your preferred OS is..."OS: Kanotix/Debian (Linux)"

anyways, windows has seemingly better compatbility with video encoding programs and software

[Shinigami-Sama]

I"ll be using solaris for school next year :)
and *nix doesnt like my laptop

[PaulC010]

Hmm i don't have such problems with MSN mp3s myself (cool track btw the live performance on the Kill Bill 2 DVD is worth watching). Why would *nix (not sure about the options you considered 'U' or'Li') not work on your laptop. Is is gas powered?

Throw-away comment to justify not bothering otherwise,

Paul (Win32 and proud)

[Shinigami-Sama]

it's a compaq, they seem to struggle, being as propritory as they are

and it only seems to affect some people, its odd, my friend has no troubles with media files, I have troubles, my other friend does, an yet an other doesn't seems radom

[Mug Funky]

there's a reason to.7z the file...

i've noticed messenger can see into popular archives (zip and rars) to check if there's mp3 data in them and block them accordingly. but less known archive formats might just work for you.

[mod]

Personally I am now asking friends to switch to Skype.
Skype file transfer speed is limited to a maximum of 2KBps, so I suggest you to find some free file-hosting solution..

..or..

subscribe with Tripod Lycos and use the ftp just for file exchange with your friends.. the service it's full of banners, but if I'm correct there's no filesize limit and the space is 20 or 50 mb..
There's the option to restrict the access to certain subfolders only to some users, so just prepare a funny unuseful homepage. :)

[Sirber]

last time I tryed, I had fullspeed in skype.

...or...

you are on 56k ;)

[Shinigami-Sama]

there's a reason to.7z the file...

i've noticed messenger can see into popular archives (zip and rars) to check if there's mp3 data in them and block them accordingly. but less known archive formats might just work for you.

or
right-click > rename > myMp3.moo :)

[mod]

last time I tryed, I had fullspeed in skype.

...or...

you are on 56k ;)
I'm on a 6->8 mbit DSL.. (min 5.4 mbit) maybe it happens only to me, but I can confirm that downloads are speed-limited also opening ports, setting up firewall etc.. :) (and I know other people that noted that)

[souljor]

I'm on a 6->8 mbit DSL.. (min 5.4 mbit) maybe it happens only to me, but I can confirm that downloads are speed-limited also opening ports, setting up firewall etc.. :) (and I know other people that noted that)


there is nothing wrong with file transfer on skype. i often transfer files at my top upload speed (56kb/s)

when the transfer window reads " your transfer is being relayed " this is when it goes at 2kb/s and it is to do with the fact that you or the recipient has certain ports blocked.

what is actually happening is that you are first transferring the file to an anonymous user with ports open, and they are sending onward to the intended recipient. obviously the transfer is limited in this case so as not to impact the anonymous users internet speeds/.