I think we're on the right track. I agree with Dave's comment that current members should be able to save copies, but not-current-members should not have the ability to download and save (and in my opinion this should include people not being able to download copies of issues received/published while they are members, if they are past their expiration (pretty much like Cliff mentioned.) While some might ask "why this distinction?" I think the burden of archiving is sufficient that fewer numbers of folks will take the time to download and archive with the idea of not renewing. The cost of messing versus the $40 to 50 that membership might cost in the future certainly will mitigate towards people remaining members in order to continue to have access (as well as receive current copies.) While I do think the ability to read off-line is important, right now I don't see the ability to save a local copy as critical in comparison to the importance of doing the digital version very well. This fits with Cliff's thoughts that we can start with more restrictive DRM, and move to a less restrictive model as technology and member feedback helps us to figure out where the sweet spot is. I would be bothered by the idea of a digital copy that 'expires' after a certain date. If we try to control things too tightly, we'll inspire people to crack the security and share as widely as possible. That's a bell we can't unring and we'll spend a lot of money and effort trying to stay ahead of the crackers. If we merely make it a 'PITA' people will remain members (especially if we continue to find ways to add membership value and do a good job of telling members and potential members about these values.) 73, Grant, KB7WSD On Sun, Aug 14, 2011 at 12:12 PM, Cliff Ahrens <cliff.ahrens@gmail.com>wrote:
Dave, I share the concerns raised by A&F and Board members about intellectual property and digital rights management. And I think staff responded appropriately. It’s best to start with more restrictive DRM measures and move to more open access. It will be helpful to know what DRM methods our vendor has available (such as username and password, or restrictions or limits on copying files) and then resolve policy questions on how best to strike a balance between fair use by our members and protection from file-sharing with non-members.****
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My personal view is the same as yours. If we can protect against unreasonable file-sharing, I would like to allow members to save a copy of their QST magazine locally, which appears to be easily accomplished in Nxtbook as I described last night. And archive access should be limited to current, not former, members (except to the extent they downloaded and saved copies during their membership terms).****
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I’m glad all is well at the Region 1 Conference. The heat wave has moderated greatly from the triple digit temps we had during much of July and early August. But those cool Fall temperatures you describe sound wonderful. ****
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73, Cliff K0CA****
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*From:* arrl-odv-bounces@reflector.arrl.org [mailto: arrl-odv-bounces@reflector.arrl.org] *On Behalf Of *Sumner, Dave, K1ZZ *Sent:* Sunday, August 14, 2011 2:41 AM *To:* arrl-odv *Subject:* [arrl-odv:20155] Re: Electronic QST--unanswered questions aboutarchives****
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Cliff, back in January Board members rightly expressed concerns about intellectual property rights protection. Staff's recommendations at this point respond to those concerns.****
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My own view is that allowing members to save the copy is appropriate. Keeping archives open to former members in my view is not appropriate. That would represent an ongoing obligation to someone who is no longer paying for it.****
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The Region 1 Conference is off to a good start. This is my first trip to South Africa and I was a bit surprised to discover that the temperatures (it being winter here) are about what I would expect in New England in October: 40s at night and high 60s during the day. Fortunately, I was forewarned and brought a jacket.****
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73,****
Dave K1ZZ****
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*From:* arrl-odv-bounces@reflector.arrl.org on behalf of Cliff Ahrens *Sent:* Sun 8/14/2011 3:06 AM *To:* 'K0GW'; arrl-odv *Subject:* [arrl-odv:20154] Re: Electronic QST--unanswered questions aboutarchives****
I was able to save the Nxtbook sample digital September 2010 QST to my desktop. Just click on the following link to the QST Digital Edition Demo: ****
http://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/arrl/qst_201009/#/0****
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Then click on the “Save to Your Desktop” icon in the upper right of the Nxtbook menu bar. It saved the entire QST monthly edition to my desktop – 43.8 MB. The file is an Adobe Air file. It will prompt you to install the free Adobe Air application, which then opens the digital QST. As far as I can tell from a quick check, all the features of the Internet Web browser edition are identical, including access by contents and pages, It took just a minute or two to save it to my computer. Dial-up users would have longer download times, but once downloaded to the member’s computer, access should be very quick.****
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Staff will need to tell us if this “Save to Desktop” feature will be available, and what digital rights management protections can be included to prevent sharing and copyright protections.****
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Cliff K0CA****
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*From:* arrl-odv-bounces@reflector.arrl.org [mailto: arrl-odv-bounces@reflector.arrl.org] *On Behalf Of *K0GW *Sent:* Friday, August 12, 2011 6:28 PM *To:* arrl-odv *Subject:* [arrl-odv:20149] Electronic QST--unanswered questions about archives****
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While we've discussed many facets of an electronic QST, I think there is one group of questions still unanswered--what will be a user's access to the archive?
Many members have and are proud of their collection of past QST issues. For example, at one point, I had every issue from 1963 to the present (until I started getting the CD-ROMs). Leaving for the moment the difference in media, will members be able to "keep" their copies in the same way? From what's been discussed so far, it appears that a member will be able to view/use the issue, but not save a digital copy. This would mean that a user would need to be online continuously to read an issue. Would we preclude downloading to read elsewhere offline? Would printing be disabled?
Would only current members be able to read archive years, while a lapsed member would be unable to review an issue, even if it was published during the time he/she was a member? If I have a current subscription/membership, does that mean I have access to all the past issues?
I am not objecting to electronic delivery, just wondering how we should address the complicated access questions that can be raised. Any suggestions? 73, Greg, K0GW****
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-- 73, Grant Hopper, KB7WSD Vice Director, Northwestern Division