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TikTok timer has been started - nine months to sell or shut down
(2024-04-28)
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In the past two weeks, the US House of Representatives and the US Senate passed a bill with a timer for TikTok, and President Biden signed it into law. This law sets a timer of 9 months for ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, to sell the social network to a Western company or face an outright ban in the US. If it feels like you're living in a time warp, it's because you sort of are. We've been here before, but this time it looks as if the result will be different.
[heading" class="UpStreamLink">The first time TikTok faced a ban[/heading" class="UpStreamLink">
In 2020, during his tenure as President, Donald Trump issued an executive order aiming to ban TikTok in the United States. The order cited concerns that the popular video-sharing app, owned by Chinese firm ByteDance, posed a threat to national security. Trump's administration argued that TikTok could be used by the Chinese government for surveillance purposes, potentially compromising the privacy of millions of Americans. As part of the ban proposal, a plan was floated that would have involved Oracle and Walmart taking ownership of a US entity of TikTok, with responsibilities for handling user data and content moderation. The Trump administration faced a lot of scrutiny over the decision to pursue a ban. He was called racist and xenophobic, claiming that the ban was about a hatred of China, not about public safety. However, public and legal challenges and the imminent end of Trump's presidency prevented the ban from being fully implemented.
After taking office, President Joe Biden revoked Trump's executive order banning TikTok and WeChat. Instead of an outright ban, Biden's approach shifted toward evaluating threats posed by China-based apps and software through rigorous analysis. The US Department of Commerce would review apps developed by entities in foreign adversary jurisdictions, such as China, to assess any risks to national security. Biden acknowledged that apps could collect substantial amounts of user information, potentially granting foreign adversaries access to sensitive data. The decision to overturn the ban was welcomed by civil liberties advocates, who emphasized the importance of protecting First Amendment rights while addressing security concerns.
The delayed ban on TikTok and WeChat did not proceed, but the broader discussion around technology, trade, and China's rise as a tech superpower continues. While the ban itself may have been set aside, the scrutiny of Chinese apps remained, and the delicate balance between privacy, security, and international relations continues to evolve.
[heading" class="UpStreamLink">TikTok ban - Round Two[/heading" class="UpStreamLink">
While the first round was attempted through an Executive Order under President Trump, the second round is being approached through Congress. This is an important change, because there is no single target of scrutiny. Instead, all of Congress and the President have responsibility over this decision. As such, there is no easy way to pressure anyone into undoing the decision. So, expect that this one is going to push through one way or another.
The challenge this time is going to come from ByteDance itself. The company has reportedly said that it would rather shut down TikTok in the US than to sell the brand. If that is the case, they will have two choices: fight the ban in court or leave the US market. It would appear that the company intends to fight the ban, as they have reportedly taken a higher hold over TikTok's US operations.
It is expected that ByteDance will take this fight up to the Supreme Court if necessary. Their argument appears to be one of First Amendment violations, which will be quite a challenge. If TikTok were the only one of its kind, providing a way for people to communicate that was unique and unable to be replicated, it's possible that a First Amendment challenge could work. However, TikTok is not even unique in today's marketplace, with Facebook Reels, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts already being market challengers, and smaller services like Likee, already offering alternatives.
[heading" class="UpStreamLink">The end result[/heading" class="UpStreamLink">
In nine months, expect that TikTok will shut down access in the US. Challenges will be filed by ByteDance to stop the ban, but they will either be too little too late, or will fail to sway a court. As a result, new challengers will emerge to fill the void, but Reels and Shorts will take the lion's share of the market.
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Net Neutrality is back, and ISPs seem not to know how to feel about it
(2024-04-28)
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Over the past 2 decades, the topic of Net Neutrality has come up a number of times. In the early 2000s, the US had a time-limited set of rules, known publicly as Net Neutrality. When those expired, early in the existence of PLUGHITZ Live, a long-running debate was reignited: should the internet be regulated and, if so, by whom? The FTC has claimed power, but that was short-lived. The FCC has claimed power, but that has been struck down twice. Now, the FCC has tried once again to claim authority over the Internet, and the chaos that brings has already begun.
FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said,
Consumers have made clear to us they do not want their broadband provider cutting sweetheart deals, with fast lanes for some services and slow lanes for others. They do not want their providers engaging in blocking, throttling, and paid prioritization. And if they have problems, they expect the nation's expert authority on communications to be able to respond. Because we put national net neutrality rules back on the books, we fix that today.
[heading" class="UpStreamLink">What is Net Neutrality?[/heading" class="UpStreamLink">
Net neutrality is the principle that Internet service providers (ISPs) must treat all online traffic equally. In other words, they shouldn't discriminate based on content, applications, or websites. Imagine the Internet as a highway: net neutrality ensures that every car (data packet) travels at the same speed, regardless of its destination. This fundamental idea promotes an open and democratic digital landscape.
[heading" class="UpStreamLink">Why does net neutrality matter?[/heading" class="UpStreamLink">
Consider this: without it, ISPs could throttle or block access to certain websites or services. Imagine your favorite streaming platform buffering endlessly while a competitor's service runs smoothly. Net neutrality prevents such discrimination. It allows startups, small businesses, and individuals to compete on a level playing field with established giants. Whether you're streaming cat videos or researching quantum physics, net neutrality ensures equal access for all.
As the structure and ownership of the ISPs change, the importance of an open internet becomes more apparent. For example, Comcast is one of the largest ISPs in the country. Comcast owns Universal, which owns the Peacock streaming service. In theory, Comcast could throttle Netflix and Hulu and prioritize Peacock, making their own service appear to be a better streaming option for their subscribers.
[heading" class="UpStreamLink">The Net Neutrality 3.0 challenges[/heading" class="UpStreamLink">
As with every attempt to codify the concept of Net Neutrality, there are a number of different positions. Obviously, there are people who believe that a codified Net Neutrality is a positive, no matter how it's accomplished. There are others who believe that the result is a positive, but the way it is accomplished is just as important. Then there are those who believe that codifying Net Neutrality is either unnecessary or inappropriate.
Most people seem to fall into the first and second camps - Net Neutrality is a positive for the internet and for the world as a whole. However, the fight over how it should happen continues to be a challenge. The FCC, which has been involved in several attempts to codify Net Neutrality, has dubious claims to the authority to implement it. Some say that, since no power has been delegated to them by the Congress, they have no authority to regulate internet access. On the other hand, the Supreme Court has rule that internet access falls under the Communications Act, meaning that the FCC does have authority.
On the other hand, you have those who believe that there is no need for Net Neutrality rules. They have continually claimed that there is no need for regulation because no service providers have ever done this in the history of the internet in America. Among the contrarians is the trade group USTelecom. Their CEO Jonathan Spalter said in a statement,
Our nation has a stark choice: Do we move forward together and connect everyone or dial it all back? Just two and a half short years ago we stood together for universal connectivity. Title II does nothing to advance that shared objective. In fact, it undermines it. And for what? This is a nonissue for broadband consumers, who have enjoyed an open internet for decades. Rather than pushing this harmful regulatory land grab, policymakers should keep their eyes on the real-world prize of building opportunity for everyone in a hyperconnected world.
The problem with this statement is that it conflicts with the usual argument. It's difficult to argue that the rules are not needed because this has been the business model for decades while also arguing that implementing the Net Neutrality rules would be a major burden. It's an argument that makes it difficult to believe them when they aren't able to be consistent in their thought process. But, consistency has never been a requirement for success, so we'll see where challenges to the FCC's new rules leads.
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Nintendo-based content being removed from Garry's Mod Steam Workshop
(2024-04-27)
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Garry's Mod, the popular game design workshop available through Steam, has begun removing content containing anything Nintendo-related. This comes following a takedown notice from Nintendo, as confirmed by the Garry's Mod team. The Steam Workshop contains user-made content spanning 2 decades, making this a long and arduous process.
[heading" class="UpStreamLink">Garry's Mod: A Playful Canvas for Digital Architects[/heading" class="UpStreamLink">
Garry's Mod, often abbreviated as GMod, is a sandbox game developed by Facepunch Studios and published by Valve. Originally created as a mod for Valve's Source game engine in December 2004, it later expanded into a standalone release in November 2006. The game's base mode has no predefined objectives, allowing players to freely manipulate objects within a virtual world. Using tools like the physics gun and the tool gun, players can spawn non-player characters, ragdolls, and props, and interact with them in various ways.
Garry's Mod also supports user-created content through Lua scripting, enabling mods and custom game modes. Notable game modes include Trouble in Terrorist Town, Prop Hunt, and DarkRP. The game's versatility and creativity have made it a popular platform for experimentation, machinima, and player-generated content. As of September 2021, Garry's Mod has sold over 20 million copies.
In Garry's Mod, players can unleash their creativity by building, experimenting, and creating custom experiences. Whether it's constructing elaborate structures, staging scenes, or inventing unique game modes, GMod provides a canvas for imagination. The game's community-driven content includes mods, maps, and add-ons, all accessible through the Steam Workshop. From manipulating physics to role-playing in custom scenarios, Garry's Mod continues to captivate players with its open-ended possibilities and collaborative spirit.
[heading" class="UpStreamLink">User-generated content increased scrutiny[/heading" class="UpStreamLink">
Increased copyright scrutiny in user-generated content has become a contentious issue, particularly on digital media platforms. These platforms, such as YouTube, Twitch, and Facebook Gaming, host a vast array of content created by users, from gaming streams to podcasts and music performances. However, the tension arises from conflicting interests: copyright holders demand better protection of their intellectual property rights, while content creators and their fans argue for more leniency in applying copyright regulations.
The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) plays a central role in this debate. While it aims to prevent unauthorized access and copying of copyrighted works, it also allows for "fair use" of such materials. Fair use permits content creators to reproduce copyrighted material for purposes like commentary, criticism, and parody. However, the application of these rules has become increasingly restrictive. Platforms face pressure from copyright holders and employ aggressive algorithms to flag potential infringements. As a result, they often take down content even before infringement is proven. This cautious approach, driven by the fear of fines, can stifle creativity, limit free speech, and hinder innovation. For instance, Twitch reported a significant increase in copyright claims, potentially resulting in substantial penalties if moderation is deemed inadequate.
[heading" class="UpStreamLink">Takedown notices in gaming[/heading" class="UpStreamLink">
One of the companies in the gaming world that issues a lot of copyright takedown notices is Nintendo. The company is infamous for issuing DMCA takedowns or cease-and-desist notices for anything they believe comes close to infringing on their IP, including fan art. And that is exactly what has happened here. Nintendo went after another source of fan-made art claiming violation of IP.
However, this is obviously different than a local artist creating t-shirts or posters featuring Link. These were whole games made using Nintendo's characters - literally the thing that Nintendo does themselves. Plus, the games often included aspects of gameplay that are outside of the Nintendo realm, such as Mario with guns. Not only does this compete with Nintendo using their own characters, it potentially damages the family-friendly brand image that the company has worked so hard to build.
For their part, Facepunch Studios confirmed the request and said that they were complying.
Some of you may have noticed that certain Nintendo related workshop items have recently been taken down. This is not a mistake, the takedowns came from Nintendo.
Honestly, this is fair enough. This is Nintendo's content and what they allow and don't allow is up to them. They don't want you playing with that stuff in Garry's Mod - that's their decision, we have to respect that and take down as much as we can.
This is an ongoing process, as we have 20 years of uploads to go through. If you want to help us by deleting your Nintendo related uploads and never uploading them again, that would help us a lot.
20 years worth of content is a lot to have to go through. Dedicated members of the community should help by removing any infringing content to make it easier on the GMod team.
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Apple's XR ambitions may be over as shipments cut for Vision Pro
(2024-04-27)
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When Apple announced its ambitious Vision Pro headset, reactions were mixed, to say the least. Apple envisioned people using the product similarly to an iPhone, wearing these dystopian isolation headsets all day Potential users, on the other hand, saw them as an occasional toy. Because of that disparity, it appears that Apple had ordered too many devices for the demand, and that is being corrected.
[heading" class="UpStreamLink">What is the Apple Vision Pro?[/heading" class="UpStreamLink">
The Apple Vision Pro is a wearable device developed by Apple that pushes the boundaries of traditional technology. Designed to seamlessly integrate into users' lives, this semi-compact device offers a host of features - some of which are new, and some have been on comparable hardware for years.
The Apple Vision Pro has a semi-novel approach to app interaction. Users can arrange apps on an "infinite canvas," scaling them to their preferred size. This unique feature allows for multitasking while staying aware of the surroundings. Additionally, the device wirelessly connects to Mac workflows through Mac Virtual Display, enhancing productivity for professionals and creatives alike.
As a personal entertainment hub, the Vision Pro tries to transform movies, shows, and games into an immersive experience. Its expansive display and Spatial Audio create a virtual theater. Notably, the Vision Pro houses Apple's first 3D camera, enabling users to capture spatial photos and videos. Whether reliving cherished memories or exploring new vistas, this device bridges technology and emotion.
[heading" class="UpStreamLink">The public reaction to Vision Pro[/heading" class="UpStreamLink">
Since the release of the Apple Vision Pro last week, public reaction has been a fascinating blend of awe, curiosity, and skepticism. The device has ignited conversations across tech circles and beyond. Although not the first headset to employ mixed reality (XR) technology, the Vision Pro stands out with its futuristic design and unique take on XR features.
As people encountered the Vision Pro in real-world scenarios, their initial responses ranged from wide-eyed wonder to cautious intrigue. The internet buzzed with memes, jokes, and tough choices - like deciding between buying a car or this $3,500 headset. Whether it's a game-changer or a niche luxury, the Vision Pro has undeniably sparked conversations about the future of wearable tech.
Overall, while Apple had hoped that people would be engaged by the device, the overall sentiment has been one of apathy. While people find the concept to be intriguing, most do not find it to be something for long-term or regular usage. This puts the device in the same category as a Meta Quest, while the price is around 10 times that of the Quest.
[heading" class="UpStreamLink">The future of Vision Pro[/heading" class="UpStreamLink">
The ambitious nature of Apple seems to have faded, as the company has reportedly lowered its shipments for the future. What was once the company's future of computing seems to be on its way to the same fate as the Microsoft HoloLens or even Apple's own Newton. In 5 years, we will likely be discussing the Vision Pro as one of Apple's 10 biggest device failures. But, for now, the company continues to march forward, albeit far slower than before.
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Ways to be a better boss & business owner
(2024-04-24)
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As a business owner, you wear many hats and shoulder a multitude of responsibilities. While it's easy to get bogged down in the day-to-day grind, complacency can be a recipe for stagnation. As a leader, your team looks to you for guidance, inspiration, and direction. To truly excel, it's essential to continually strive for improvement and growth. By investing in your own development and learning effective strategies for leadership, you can become a more effective, inspiring, and successful boss and business owner. In this article, we'll explore practical tips and insights to help you embark on a journey of self-improvement and take your leadership skills to the next level.
[heading" class="UpStreamLink">Always be learning and growing[/heading" class="UpStreamLink">
To excel as a business owner, it's crucial to prioritize your own professional development and continuous learning. Staying informed and knowledgeable on a wide range of topics will help you stay ahead of the curve and make informed decisions. Reading the news and exploring diverse subjects, such as science and technology, will broaden your perspective and enhance your critical thinking skills. For instance, reading up on what biomarkers are and their applications in research can provide valuable insights into innovation and problem-solving. By committing to lifelong learning and growth, you'll not only stay up-to-date in the business world but also cultivate a well-rounded perspective that will serve you well in all aspects of your professional and personal life.
[heading" class="UpStreamLink">Treat your employees fairly[/heading" class="UpStreamLink">
In order to find business success, building a high-performing team is crucial, and retaining talented employees is just as important as hiring them. Constantly replacing staff can be frustrating and costly, so it's essential to create an environment that encourages employees to stay and grow. To do this, provide challenging and meaningful work assignments that help them develop new skills and feel a sense of accomplishment. Show appreciation for their hard work and contributions, and offer competitive benefits that demonstrate your investment in their well-being. Regularly recognize and reward employees who go above and beyond, whether through bonuses, promotions, or other incentives. By treating your employees fairly and with respect, you'll build a loyal and dedicated team that will help drive your business forward.
[heading" class="UpStreamLink">Take care of your customers[/heading" class="UpStreamLink">
You can be a better boss and business owner by taking good care of your customers. They are the lifeblood of your business, and taking exceptional care of them is crucial for building a loyal customer base and driving growth. To demonstrate your appreciation, provide multiple channels for customers to connect with your company, share feedback, and receive support. Invest in training your customer service team to handle a wide range of issues with empathy, efficiency, and effective problem-solving skills. By doing so, you'll not only resolve issues but also turn customers into loyal advocates who will drive repeat business and recommend your company to others. Your goal is to create a customer-centric culture that prioritizes their needs, builds trust, and fosters long-term relationships.
[heading" class="UpStreamLink">Use effective communication skills[/heading" class="UpStreamLink">
As a business owner, transparency is crucial for building trust and fostering a collaborative work environment. Use effective communication skills in clearly articulating your vision, goals, and expectations to your staff and leadership team, and be approachable and receptive to feedback. Remember, communication is a two-way street - be an active listener and encourage open dialogue. By doing so, you'll not only share your message but also gain valuable insights from your employees and customers. Their perspectives can help you identify areas for improvement, spark innovation, and make informed decisions. By listening and communicating effectively, you'll build a culture of transparency, trust, and mutual respect.
[heading" class="UpStreamLink">Conclusion[/heading" class="UpStreamLink">
By implementing the strategies outlined in this article, you'll be well on your way to becoming a more effective and successful boss and business owner. Remember, leadership is a journey, not a destination. Be open to continuous learning, growth, and improvement, and be willing to adapt and evolve as your business and team grow. By putting these ideas into practice, you'll create a positive and productive work environment, foster a culture of trust and respect, and achieve greater success in your business career. Embrace the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on your team, customers, and community, and watch your business thrive as a result.
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