Nerds Fight, Forum Shut Down

I knew that the HD format war was starting to heat up, but I had no idea how stupid passionate people were about this. So much so that the administrators at AVS Forum had to shut down an HD DVD vs Blu-Ray thread that was getting a little out of control. Check the quote from the admins:

"We have seen members attacking other members not only in debate, which is the right way, but with physical threats that have involved police and possible legal action. This type of behavior is just not welcome here PERIOD,"

Nerd on nerd violence is never a good thing, but these guys got pissed off like they own stock in one or the other formats. For the admins to have to shut down a thread because one geek can't watch Spiderman and the other can't watch Transformers is just plain dumb.

Please nerds, take that energy and put it towards meeting a girl, maybe even talking to her.

HD Disc Format Areas Currently Closed For Posts [AVS Forum]

Sony-BMG: You're A Thief

Wow is all I can say about this one!!!

During the first trial between the RIAA and a person who they claim illegally downloaded music, Jennifer Pariser, who is litigator for the Sony-BMG Music Group is calling damn near everyone a thief. During her testimony she was asked if she thought a consumer should be allowed to copy a song off a CD that they already owned.

Under oath she stated that “when an individual makes a copy of a song for himself, I suppose we can say he stole a song.”

So there you have it!!!

Most people have to copy music from their CD collection to get it to there ipods or Zunes, so now they are thief's? Not to even speak about all the old school people back in the day who made tapes from records, just to play in their car. I don't think I know one person who has never made a copy of music that they owned, for another media. So if you already own the CD, Sony-BMG says you should have to re-purchase it again to put it on your MP3 player, to be considered not a thief.

So everyone, according to Sony-BMG you are all thief's!!!

Sony BMG’s chief anti-piracy lawyer: “Copying” music you own is “stealing” [Ars via Crunchgear]

AT&T: Criticize Us, And We'll Shut You Down

No wonder why AT&T is running a close second for the most hated company next to Sony. Any opportunity people get to avoid using their service (i.e. iphone unlocks) it is jumped on. This isn't shocking considering their latest insanity that they've put together.

AT&T's new 'terms of service' basically states that if you're a internet customer of theirs, you can't publicly complain about their billing or service. If you do, they have the right to discontinue your internet service.

Now, I've never heard of a company that WORKS FOR YOU say that if you say bad things about us, we'll shut you down. That's the most communistic thing I've ever heard from a company.

If your service is as good as you say it is, then what do you have to worry about?

UPDATE: Here is the exact wording for the new TOA:
AT&T may immediately terminate or suspend all or a portion of your Service, any Member ID, electronic mail address, IP address, Universal Resource Locator or domain name used by you, without notice, for conduct that AT&T believes...(c) tends to damage the name or reputation of AT&T, or its parents, affiliates and subsidiaries.

[AT&T T.O.S via Crunchgear]