An interesting WD product

[PrntRhd]

Western Digital has a large hard drive that can be accessed from the Web to share files, except it has DRM and does not allow you to share most common extensions. Like your digital pictures, music files, etc.
http://wdc.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/wdc.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=1495&p_created=1168641440&p_sid=bLTfVJLi&p_accessibility=0&p_redirect=&p_lva=&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX 3Jvd19jbnQ9NSw1JnBfcHJvZHM9MCZwX2NhdHM9MCZwX3B2PSZ wX2N2PSZwX3NlYXJjaF90eXBlPWFuc3dlcnMuc2VhcmNoX2Zub CZwX3BhZ2U9MSZwX3NlYXJjaF90ZXh0PS5hdmk*&p_li=&p_topview=1

What the heck are they thinking?

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/12/07/western_digital_drm_crippled_harddrive/

[saphalline]

That's kind of, ummm... stupid.

What exactly are you supposed to do with that thing, then? Serve web files?? Archive malicious code?? :confused:

[mjc]

***thud*** ***thud*** ***thud***

How much does anyone want to bet that there will be at least one question about 'why can't I get my files' sometime in the next month or so?

Saph...boat anchor.

[jlreich]

When are they going to do away with useless DRM....

:( :(

[rond36]

I used to use WD drives in all of my builds up until about two years ago. I stopped using them because WD is so far behind in technology. Now I know what they have been doing with their R&D resources, developing crap like this instead of SATA II Raptors with a larger capacity.

Due to unverifiable media license authentication, the following file types cannot be shared by different users using WD Anywhere Access.

If these file types are on a share on the WD My Book World Edition system and another user accesses the share, these file will not be displayed for sharing. Any other file types can be shared using WD Anywhere Access.

I noticed almost all of the file types used by pirates can be shared with remote users like .ISO, .ZIP, .RAR, and all other compressed archives.

[Rick]

I have to wonder if this share limitation is for Outside sharing or includes the local area network.

PCast is common on these shared units
Yet I see nothing about it here

[Ajmukon]

when will they learn? (they= companies)
WE want our digital music!!!!!

[PrntRhd]

I have to wonder if this share limitation is for Outside sharing or includes the local area network.

PCast is common on these shared units
Yet I see nothing about it here
The software is written by MioNet.

The Anywhere access is also limited to 30 days, after which you have to pay for premium service.

[Paul Komski]

I have to wonder if this share limitation is for Outside sharing or includes the local area network.


You dont have to use the software to access the drive on a LAN.

http://wdc.custhelp.com/cgi-bin/wdc.cfg/php/enduser/std_adp.php?p_faqid=1531&p_created=1176311730&p_sid=vxGxnPSi&p_accessibility=0&p_redirect=&p_lva=1495&p_sp=cF9zcmNoPTEmcF9zb3J0X2J5PSZwX2dyaWRzb3J0PSZwX 3Jvd19jbnQ9MjE2LDIxNiZwX3Byb2RzPTIwOSwyMjEmcF9jYXR zPSZwX3B2PTIuMjIxJnBfY3Y9JnBfc2VhcmNoX3R5cGU9YW5zd 2Vycy5zZWFyY2hfZm5sJnBfcGFnZT0x&p_li=&p_topview=1

[PrntRhd]

Paul,
But you may have to transfer the files off the WD drive to the internal HDD in the PC first.
A WD My Book World Edition hard drive can be accessed and used for Local Network access (LAN) through SAMBA connectivity methods without using The WD Anywhere Access program.

If data has already been added to shares on the drive using WD Anywhere Access (MioNet), this data will need to be copied or transferred to the internal computer's drive(s) or other SAMBA shares BEFORE MioNet is to be disabled or uninstalled. Data contained in shares under MioNet's control will not be accessible if the program is uninstalled. Once you've moved the data from the MioNet protected shares to the internal computer or another location, you can proceed creating SAMBA share(s) on the drive.

[Paul Komski]

Surely if you dont install or if you uninstall the software prior to storing data there is no problem for Local Access. This is basically a software issue as far as I can tell - its not as if the DRM type restrictions are in the firmware.

[PrntRhd]

You are correct, but the issue is the marketing of the product: saying the files are easily shared and WD recommending keeping the Anywhere Access sharing software running at all times, yet the drive software does not allow you to do either.
..this only applies to their external network drive product and only affects off-network file sharing (through the web)
An internal 1TB Hitachi drive does not have the limitations WD put into this product, and may be a better choice, and certainly transfers files faster, 5MB/sec transfer speeds on the WD due to limited memory and processor capability sucks.

[deddard]

Let's just watch WD sales plummet.
Can't even share your home-produced files? I'm sure everyone will just flock to use these bits of equipment.:rolleyes:

[Paul Komski]

but the issue is the marketing of the product: saying the files are easily shared
I agree - and that side of things totally sucks; both their advertising and their complicity. When will these organisations learn that DRM is basically (or very soon is likely to become) history and that they missed the bandwagon by being over-protective in their greed and by not providing the good services that the public desires. They have allowed a black/grey market culture of file-sharing to develop and that would seem to have a momentum all of its own.

[mjc]

The one saving grace about it is the fact that it is just software...so, if at some time in the future, DRM is abandoned, a software update can provide full functionality to the device. But, until then...

I'm not sure which is worse, though, this WD DRM mess or the Seagate/Linux mess...http://www.engadget.com/2007/12/07/seagate-freeagent-drives-not-down-with-linux/

[alternate]

Now I know what they have been doing with their R&D resources, developing crap like this instead of SATA II Raptors with a larger capacity...

lots of laughter.....