BLOGical Thoughts

I recently ran across an article entitled Making DVDs in Linux, and decided to give his method a try. First thing to do was to download and install the two required programs: Avidemux and DVD Styler. This was completely painless for me, since I used the Smart Package Manager to do it.

I had picked up the pilot episode of Star Trek: New Voyages in .avi format, so I used that as a test. I ran it through Avidemux to convert it to .mpeg2 format, then I used DVD Styler to create the main menu and the other required files for the DVD. I then compiled all of it into a .iso disk image, then used K3B to burn the DVD.

The result? A DVD that my regular DVD player could not play. My computer could not read it, either. Obviously, I did something wrong. I am going to print out the instructions and do it all again, ensuring I don’t screw anything up. If it works, that will eliminate yet another Windows dependency for me.

Silly sign of the day:

Free/Open Source Software

• Accounting Vendors Block Linux Server Use
• Microsoft, Novell and Unintended Consequences
• Clean Open Source Billing Software for Free
• Getting your Windows refund

RIAA/MPAA/ESRB/BSA/FCC

• TPB: The MPAA are “rabid, obsessed lunatics”
• SUSE 10 Named Best Linux Desktop
• Democrats Taka Close Look at FCC
• AllofMP3 and globalization
• Since when is “making available” considered “distribution”
• Editorial: Music industry singing different tune these days

Stupid Patent Tricks, DRM and Other IP Nonsense

• EMI abandons CD DRM
• Internet video patent suit hits Google and Apple
• Software patents set new record in 2006
• Global Locate Sues SiRF for Patent Infringement
• Researchers: Hack will help kill HD DVD copy protection

Other News

• Phone company blocks YouTube in Brazil
• Transform plain text files into Web pages automatically with this PHP script
• Novell tells court: For SCO bankruptcy is “inevitable” and “imminent”
• Sony BMG Sued, Accused Of Racial Discrimination
• Tax Cuts Offer Most for Very Rich, Study Says - Well, duh!

Security/Our Rights

• Who’s Inflating Vista Security Expectations?
• Wi-Fi Body to Simplify Security Setup
• Airport scanners allow some to skip security lines — for a price

Big Brother

• Supreme Court declines challenge to airport ID policy - “It’s ok if the government makes up secret laws and doesn’t tell you their contents.”
• Britons to be scanned for FBI database
• Right out of the Orwell book…
• CIA panel blocks book by outed agent Valerie Plame

U.K.:

• DNA database ’should include all’ - Germany did lose WWII, didn’t they?
• PATRIOT Overreaches: Who Knew?