Well, it was sooner or later that I wrote about this, so I might as well do it now. Windows XP just went gold yesterday and the fact that it hasn't yet been blocked by the government gives me an unsettled feeling in my stomach. I'm sure it's a great product, if you use windows. For those of us who don't use windows I think its going to be a huge headache for us.

I've been using linux for probably 5 years now and I remember how tough it was to do many things in Linux when I started. Not because it was technnically difficult (although many things are in linux, but thats a different subject), it was more because everything is locked up to try to be windows only. This is what many people don't understand about Microsoft, many things they do aren't just to make a product better, they often are moving in sneaky ways to try to ensure window's market share.

Windows XP is suppose to have builtin CD ripping. I wouldn't be at all surprised if by default it used Windows Media instead of MP3 (which is by far the most popular on the internet). I bet if there even is mp3 support it probably won't let you achieve near cd quality, probably need to use windows media format if you want a higher quality (even though mp3 is capable, they just will lock out the functionality). Why would they do this? Well, most windows users dont' bother changing programs (that is how IE got to be so popular), they just use the default. So when they just use the default we're going to see more and more windows media files spread out on the internet. This is going to make it impossible for users of other operating systems than windows to listen to the music. And will ensure no users will even think about switching from windows.

It is also common knowledge that Windows XP will disable support for netscape plugins in Internet Explorer. The reason for this is they want web developers to move over to using Active X exclusively. This is bad, Active X is a microsoft exclusive technology. If web developers start to decide their pages should just use active x instead of netscape plugins thats' going to hurt so many people. As far as I know Active X is just windows components embedded into a web page. I'm not sure if or how the mac version of Internet Explorer can use active x. So I'm drawn to the conclusion that Microsoft is once again pushing out something that worked just fine to replace it with something that works just fine.... if you're on windows.

Then lastly, theres just the fact that Microsoft has been ruled a monopoly, and has been ruled as using their monopoly powers in an anti-competetive manner. What is this going to say about our government if they just let microsoft release yet another product that could very well make the situation even worse. Funny how long things take when a big company with lots of money is the one in trouble. If this was any other company that acted in this manner things would have been solved a long long time ago.

Now that the Music video awards are out I just have to get something off of my chest. I don't care if anyone sides with me on this or not, because I AM AN INDIVIDUAL. I can hold a view and cast an opinion on something without having my friends consent to do so.

The problem with society today is the programming we all get from MT(fucking)V. What a Goddamn concept! A Television station that tells you how to be cool in a society where it is isn't cool to be cool. Everyone is all high on acting like they are so unique and well represented, yet have to lock themselves into a style created by a television network. Wake up call bitch! You ain't in a GANG, you ain't from Brooklyn and you ain't tough because you listen to Limp bizkit or Kid Rock.

A good example of MTV is the show "2ge+her". A show MAKING FUN of the pop crap that is all over the airwaves and how superficial and calculated by the industry it all is. Do the MTV viewers get the JOKE? NO! They request the ACTORS video making the MTV Executives think "damn, lets put out a CD just to see if it makes us more cash". They do and MTV fans snap it up like it was the cure for all STD's. I'm surprised that 2ge+her didn't win any awards!

Sisqo is NOT a Hip Hop artist, he doesn't sing, write, play or mix. Fucker doesn't even Dee Jay, yet somehow he is the recipient of the best Hip Hop video award? VIDEO is not MUSIC, I know. That is my point. All people care about is the VIDEO. What Hip Hop MUSICIAN is ever on the radio more than the non hip hop musician Sisqo? None. But you all listen and glorify him because he wears FAKE gold and bounces around cars that aren't even his.

It's like believing in wrestling. No wrestling fan wants to admit that The Rock is not trained in personal combat and wouldn't necessarily know how to throw a punch correctly or last in a real fight against a Navy Seal, or Martial arts expert. But the Rock LOOKS big, so MUST be a good fighter. Same thing with music. IF IT LOOKS GOOD THEN IT MUST BE right? I guess so, if you believe everything you are fed from MTV.

MTV used to be the coolest thing around back in the 80's cause back then there was only one form of music people listened to..ROCK. Big flashy Metal ROCK. When that changed, MTV struggled with "MTV Raps" and then just said "fuck it", and focused on TV shows instead of catering to five different styles of music.

Now, to own a business you have to make profits. So the execs thought "what group is most easily manipulated, wealthy, and abundant?". The answer.. TEENS. So they glorified any piece of shit that was liked by that group and over a 5 year timespan we have the music industry dominated by Pop.

When you are watching MTV you are not hearing Hip Hop, Rap, Alternative, Metal, Techno or even Country. You are listening to POP. So all the people who think Kid Rock is an "American Badass" should just admit they are listening to pop music, not Rap. You are falling victim to conforming around a Megacorporations best conceived Idea to get this............... $$$$$$$$$$$$$$.

Remember, it isn't cool to be cool, alternative is popular and it doesn't take a Rapper to win best Rap video. Sound stupid? Now you might be understanding.