I signed up, for $15, to listen to all the Major League Baseball games online, back on March 4. Shortly after this, on March 24, MLB.com announced a deal with Microsoft where they would make most content available only through Windows Media Player.
The short of it is that after I signed up, MLB.com changed the deal, and made it so I could only listen to the archived games -- that I paid for -- if I used Windows Media Player, instead of Real Player, as I had been doing.
This is called "customer service," where the customer is, of course, Microsoft, and not me. I am demanding my money back, of course. I hope many more people do the same.
Re:hmm...
pudge on 2004-04-20T16:44:01
Sorry?Re:hmm...
Purdy on 2004-04-20T16:51:06
It's not like MLB is locking you out of enjoying the content... you just need to use the aforementioned (love that word! ;)) player instead.
I'm sure that Microsoft paid a pretty penny for the exclusive rights in this situation, which in a way, you could be thankful for. It helps to subsidize your membership fee, gives the service a renewed stability investment and Microsoft's coffers are ever-so-slightly more diminished.
Just press play and minimize it in the background... I don't see what the big deal is. It shouldn't interfere with your enjoyment of the content. I'm trying to think of an analogy, but I'm not very creative at the moment.
Peace,
JasonRe:hmm...
pudge on 2004-04-20T17:06:54
It's not like MLB is locking you out of enjoying the content
That is a matter of opinion, and completely beside the point. The agreement I signed up under said I could use Real Player.
However, I'll note that Windows Media Player simply doesn't work properly. Even if it did, I wouldn't want to use it, because of its horrifically bad EULA.
I don't see what the big deal is.
Why should you? All that matters is they broke their agreement.
It shouldn't interfere with your enjoyment of the content.
If Microsoft were neutral, fine. But it isn't. It's evil.
I'm trying to think of an analogy, but I'm not very creative at the moment.
Hitler.Re:hmm...
Whammo on 2004-04-20T17:32:25
I'm trying to think of an analogy, but I'm not very creative at the moment.
Hitler.See? Creativity not required!
Re:hmm...
pudge on 2004-04-20T17:50:28
Exactly.:-)
