Don't trust audible.com, it's drm infected and they don't tell you

If there's one thing I hate (there isn't, there's lots, but this is today's) it's companies being economical with the truth to get you to part with your money, only to have you disappointed when you find out the whole truth.

I just bought an audio book on audible.co.uk. And now I can't even listen to it. I thought I was buying an mp3, or maybe even an ogg file. It is only on actually attempting to download the thing I have just paid for that I discover to my utter disgust that all the download links are for some kind of evil drm type program (I presume here, but there sure as hell was no mp3 in sight).



As you can see from the screenshot above, they clearly imply an mp3 download. I haven't seen such a clear use of weasel sales words for some time.

Next time I'll read the god damn small print, but I still think this is totally out of order not warning that they are providing crippled versions of what you think you are buying.

Thank fsm for people like the FSF. Their logo really sums up how I feel about being treated in this way.

Protect your freedom!

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Update: credit where due. 24th July 2008.
My complaint about the website still stands, and my aversion to drm has not diminished, however the responses I have received from their customer service (by email), have been prompt, courteous and have totally resolved my outstanding problem. I have been given a full refund. I've been especially impressed given the hot blooded content of my initial contact. A lot of companies could learn lessons in good customer relations from these people.

work at emapsite

The company I work for, emapsite is hiring a developer.
Interviews are starting so you'll have to be quick.

More details available on their news item.

New wiki, mostly for car pc

I've created a wiki at wikispaces.com, to document things that are less transient than a blog entry.

Take a look at http://timwise.wikispaces.com/

I've started adding information about the car pc, and won't make any promises about what else I'll be adding (personal motto: under promise, over deliver).

I've made it open to all editors, and licensed under the GNU Free documentation licence to ensure the maximum value, reach and participation.

Nightly Shutdown, a new product from Proven Works

Congratulations to Joel Mansford, a good friend of mine, and his company Proven Works on getting the first release of Nightly Shutdown out of the door.

This looks to be a great product and hopefully will make system administrators' lives easier and greener. It's a utility for ensuring that the computers are off when you want them to be, and can be deployed through active directory making the sys admin's life easier. There's a 10 PC free trial available, so check it out at the download page.

Without even looking I know this will be a good product and fantastically well supported. Best of luck to all at Proven Works, and to all the potential users and buyers out there, don't forget to check it out and provide any feedback you can.