http://brainstorm.ubuntu.com/item/11097/ I have heard about people who got scammed and wasted lots of money, then reformatted their computer and none of the media they had payed for would play, and others who were unable transfer the media to their portable media players, or use the media in their car stereo.

Therefor I recommend to warn users about the dangers of DRM.

I have made a a couple of conceptual mockups. The basic idea is to make the user aware that the media he have is DRM-crippled, and to inform him about the DRM and how it restricts him.

This is just a conceptual mockup. It could be better and more informative. Perhaps less intrusive.
* Browsing files with Nautilus (notice the icon/emblem)
* Checking file properties in Nautilus
* Warning in Rhythmbox (if playback failed)
* File properties in Rhythmbox
* Icon in Totem (non-obtrusive)
* Warning in Totem (if playback failed)
* Error in VLC (if playback failed)

[121 votes] Solution #1: Auto-generated solution of idea #11097


]]> en-us Sun, 13 Jul 2008 19:15:49 +0000 Sat, 07 Feb 2009 18:35:50 +0000 QAPoll module http://brainstorm.ubuntu.com/idea/11097/ Sun, 13 Jul 2008 20:18:01 +0000 It could be much less intrusive.
Just a little text in file properties, or a little icon in the media player.
So that it is possible to know which files are DRM-crippled and which are not.]]> Sun, 13 Jul 2008 20:36:24 +0000
zooounds,
None of the mockups were any good?]]> Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:08:10 +0000
+1]]> Mon, 14 Jul 2008 00:55:24 +0000 Mon, 14 Jul 2008 01:52:56 +0000 "Install DVD player software prompt on insertion of DVD", which would tell the user why their DVD's/Blu-rays aren't playing]]> Mon, 14 Jul 2008 02:02:08 +0000 Mon, 14 Jul 2008 02:08:02 +0000 Yes, indeed. THe messages could be implemented in a way that it skips to the next playlist item.
Yes, the message should be worded in an informational way and explains that its not the player application imposing the restriction, and its not the fault of the player. It is the defective medias fault.

Auzy,
Yes, it could also be integrated to work side-by-side with the DVD thing.

DanRabbit,
Absolutely! :)
The guy who make DRM uses the deceptive term "DRM-protected" (people associate protected with good) when the appropriate term is "DRM-crippled", because that explains what it really is.
Kind of like CIA refers to "terminate" instead of "kill".
"False teeth" became "dental appliances".
"Medicine" became "medication".
"The dump" became "the landfill".
"Car crashes" became "automobile accidents".
"Partly cloudy" became "Partly sunny".
* http://youtube.com/watch?v=Z2gQCHztRAE]]> Mon, 14 Jul 2008 02:34:01 +0000 Mon, 14 Jul 2008 06:57:48 +0000 Mon, 14 Jul 2008 08:23:44 +0000
But I also think that it is _not_ the job of my OS to have its own opinion of DRM. If I want to buy DRM-crippled/protected songs, that is my problem, and the OS shouldn't care as long as everything works. (If it doesn't work, it's a usability thing and then it's okay to show a message).
Also, stuff like this isn't going to make Ubuntu, Linux and OSS in general any more popular in the corporate world or with people who have a different opinion on DRM than you.

So I'm all for the usability messages etc, but against political campaigning against DRM.]]> Mon, 14 Jul 2008 14:18:03 +0000 Yeah, that would be fitting. :)

Sidney,
You do make a valid point.
Though, it should be possible to distinguish normal media from DRM-crippled media.
So I think there should be an icon or something. Perhaps some text, but perhaps it should be worded more neutrally such as "This media is restricted by DRM", or "This media makes use of DRM technology".]]> Mon, 14 Jul 2008 21:28:11 +0000 Mon, 14 Jul 2008 22:44:15 +0000
Habbit: As I said, a dialog/message telling the user that the media can't be played because of DRM is good in my book. But it should use neutral language and not judgmental one like "DRM crippled". Eldmannen's suggestion of "restricted by DRM" is not only as correct as "crippled", but also neutral and therefore preferable.]]> Tue, 15 Jul 2008 12:59:20 +0000
WRT the Nautilus properties dialog line, I propose a wording like "Uses DRM, might not be playable" preceded by a warning (i.e. ! within triangle) icon.]]> Wed, 16 Jul 2008 16:49:27 +0000
Explaining to the user why the media won't play (it is DRM-"protected"), making sure they know how to avoid getting DRM-protected media, and letting them make their own decision based on their own morals is the way to go.

For example, a "DRM: Yes (Click for more information)" section in the file would be sufficient, and it doesn't need to be in red.

I know I would be annoyed if I got one of these messages when I already know what DRM-protected media is (not that I would get one of these messages.) But I wouldn't mind seeing a less obtrusive message or alert with a link to more information (meaning that if the DRM-protected media gets skipped, the inexperienced user should be able to find out why easily in some kind of non-obtrusive message, not just a symbol with !, which could make them think that it is the media player's or Ubuntu's fault, even though this is incorrect).]]> Mon, 21 Jul 2008 18:26:38 +0000 Tue, 22 Jul 2008 21:09:06 +0000
+0]]> Fri, 15 Aug 2008 18:10:41 +0000 DRM can be considered as a serious psychological trojan horse.

One thing is respecting the fair authors rights, another is allowing this kind of DRM abuse...

http://stopdrm.info/
http://www.gnu.org/philosophy/opposing-drm.html
http://www.digitalfreedom.org/
]]> Sat, 06 Sep 2008 18:17:06 +0000
I would simply include a link to a Canonical-controlled website detailing why DRM and locked media is detrimental to the user.

+1, but only if it is phrased acceptable professionally.]]> Sat, 07 Feb 2009 18:35:50 +0000