Spring Break
Trail of technophobia
Staff Editorial
Issue date: 10/12/07 Section: Opinion
This publication, in the eyes of some students, is entirely responsible for the demise of DC++ (the file-sharing hub) and completely to blame for students no longer being able to illegally and rapidly download all the music and videos their hearts desire.
That has been made clear through the many comments posted online.
While The Diamondback has certainly contributed to a wider knowledge of DC++, it has not targeted involved students, advocated the closure of the network or suggested others do so. All it has done is report on a subject important to students, try to make sense of the associated legal and political dynamics for its readers and, most importantly, document a period of university history that may one day be referenced by scholars writing dissertations about how demonic the RIAA was during our present decade.
The life and times - as well as the death - of DC++ were and are news. They are indicative of a wider trend alive across the country and at many universities. This publication has never and will never shy away from covering controversial news, reflecting the campus culture or seeking out uncomfortable truths regardless of whether certain students are angered by them.
The Diamondback is involved in all of this - that is obvious. There is no denial there. However, it is not responsible for the closure or disruption of the hub. That responsibility lies solely with the RIAA and the Office of Information Technology.
Everyone who works on the content of this publication is a student. We are not estranged from the student population. We didn't want the hub shut down any more than any other student. We did, however, have a responsibility to report on a technological phenomenon that was unique to this campus and used by hundreds of students each day.
Still, people commented on reporter Carrie Wells' story ("DC++ operator says he will pull plug on hub today," Oct. 11) that The Diamondback "got [its] wish," that it is "screwing" students and that student journalists working at the publication are "hated by at least 1,000 people on this campus."
That has been made clear through the many comments posted online.
While The Diamondback has certainly contributed to a wider knowledge of DC++, it has not targeted involved students, advocated the closure of the network or suggested others do so. All it has done is report on a subject important to students, try to make sense of the associated legal and political dynamics for its readers and, most importantly, document a period of university history that may one day be referenced by scholars writing dissertations about how demonic the RIAA was during our present decade.
The life and times - as well as the death - of DC++ were and are news. They are indicative of a wider trend alive across the country and at many universities. This publication has never and will never shy away from covering controversial news, reflecting the campus culture or seeking out uncomfortable truths regardless of whether certain students are angered by them.
The Diamondback is involved in all of this - that is obvious. There is no denial there. However, it is not responsible for the closure or disruption of the hub. That responsibility lies solely with the RIAA and the Office of Information Technology.
Everyone who works on the content of this publication is a student. We are not estranged from the student population. We didn't want the hub shut down any more than any other student. We did, however, have a responsibility to report on a technological phenomenon that was unique to this campus and used by hundreds of students each day.
Still, people commented on reporter Carrie Wells' story ("DC++ operator says he will pull plug on hub today," Oct. 11) that The Diamondback "got [its] wish," that it is "screwing" students and that student journalists working at the publication are "hated by at least 1,000 people on this campus."
Submit a letter to the editor or post a comment below.
Viewing Comments 1 - 6 of 7
NothingToSeeHere
posted 10/12/07 @ 6:31 AM EST
Whilst the DB is not *solely* responsible for DC++ shutting down, it did instigate further pressure public pressure (Possibly from the RIAA, but you'd need to ask OIT) on OIT. (Continued…)
oh please
posted 10/12/07 @ 9:04 AM EST
Oh please Diamondback, you reported something and now you are trying to squirm out of the consequences. Clearly the attention brought by the Diamondback brought more scrutiny to campus, especially when the RIAA already had College Park in it's sights. (Continued…)
Intellectual Property is the Key
posted 10/12/07 @ 12:22 PM EST
The editorial states that "the free exchange of ideas" is a "hallmark of American universities" but fails to mention that without intellectual property rights (in the form of Copyright protection) there can never be a truly free exchange of ideas, just theft and a stifling of the creative process. (Continued…)
Desta Anyiwo
posted 10/12/07 @ 1:17 PM EST
Good job Diamondback...for screwing us all over
Adam
posted 10/12/07 @ 5:30 PM EST
FYI Diamondback Editorial Staff, villifying OIT is stupid. They're just doing their job and protecting the University. Now to everyone else...
Just go find some other place to DL stuff illegally. (Continued…)
Equilibrium
posted 10/13/07 @ 3:35 PM EST
"Copyright law MUST be enforced and intellectual property rights MUST be protected or there will be no music, no movies, no art."
LOL that is funny. (Continued…)
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