Digital Rights Management (DRM) has been a periodical theme I have commented about.  Although I don’t have the time to follow it in as much detail as I should, I am aware of the basic issues and how they can and will affect me and the future.

My sister in law was down for the weekend for a visit.  Along with our weird discussions about PI day (which was yesterday), we had a discussion about iPods and DRM.  She is what I would classify as a ‘user only’ of technology.  She does not understand (and willingly admits no interest) in how the Internet works, or how her mobile phone makes a call.  She just wants the technology to work.  Her impression of DRM was that it was not a concern and didn’t affect her at all.  She uses iTunes, purchases her music, can listen to it on her computer and/or ipod.  If apple wants to put DRM on to protect them that is okay.  It doesn’t impact her.  This is not because she is naive or ‘stupid’, on the contrary she’s pretty bright.  Her interests, time and knowledge are elsewhere.

I believe this view is typical of many people and is unfortunate.  Everyone uses technology, most do not care or have the time to learn how it works.  As long as it works that is good enough.    However, I think (and hope) there may be a light at the end of the tunnel.  As DRM increases it’s touch points from data protection (music files, video files, software, etc.) to ‘tangible’ objects such as your headphones not being able to play in your ipod because they are not ‘apple approved’, I believe the ‘users only’ of technology will start to understand the implications of DRM much better and start to voice their opinions.  I can only imagine my sister in law’s reaction if she could no longer use her exisiting ear phones and had to purchase ‘special’ ear phones to listen to her ipod.