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Why Johnny Can't Make an Avatar

SkyBirdRadio	Date: April 7, 2004 @ 7:39 AM I saw how much cooler messages here look when users have a home made avatar. So I made a 50 x 50 avatar. It was a JPG, and so uploading it failed because DMUSIC requires use of the GIF format. I was shocked to find that all of my (very sophisticated) Linux imaging software will not save .gif files. That option is "Greyed out". So I went to the net to find a software package compatable with Mandrake that would allow me to convert my jpg to a gif ... Well there isn't any, and I found out why. Unisys has decided in their corporate wisdom that to use their software even in a non profit venue requires the payment of $5,000 to the picture police. A question for DMUSIC? Have you guys paid the 5 grand? If you have, why? $5,000 could be better spent on site enhancements, and artist promotion. This is the only site I have ever chosen to pay for, because I like the tunes, the artists, and the way the whole thing works. I plan to release my own material here, something I don't take lightly to, but I believe in open source software, and open source music. So here is my enemies list: Microsoft: SubscriptionWare, swiss cheese OS. RIAA: Anti open source music bunch. $25 for one or two songs? Most CD's are 80% filler. And since I run a radio station they all come with their hand out. My answer to this is play indie artists that are NOT RIAA. I play a lot of Canadian Artists, like Barenaked Ladies because in Canada, file sharing is legal there, judge decision came down last week. I propose to DMUSIC that they allow a public open source image format like .png be used instead of .gif .... If Dmusic has not paid the $5,000 they will be sued for having .gif files online. The suit will include damages and legal fees. This is not a joke ... do a google search on: Unisys +gif +payment And you will see how evil they are. Another candidate for my Friday Night Radio broadcast Rants. Go hear, read 'em and weep: http://cloanto.com/users/mcb/19950127giflzw.html
robbydadrummer	Date: April 7, 2004 @ 9:11 AM Taken from that article link... "As a longer term consequence, it appears likely that GIF will be replaced and extended by new file formats, but not so before the expiration of the patents which caused so much debate (at midnight US Eastern Standard Time on June 19, 2003 for the US patent, and midnight local time on June 18 and 19, 2004 for the European and Japanese counterparts, respectively)." I don't think this has really been enforced, but the patent has already expired here anyways. I'm surprised you can't find free software that will convert it to .gif, though. Upload the file to your site and I'm sure someone here will gladly convert it for you, including me.
SkyBirdRadio	Date: April 7, 2004 @ 9:22 AM For into on the protest go to: http://burnallgifs.org website I strongly suggest that DMUSIC allow png or jpg images for avatars, because neither my Linux or my one windows box will allow creation of .gif files. Either the other artists here are rich, or they are using old software, which would be an offense under the patent rights. HELLO DMUSIC?
SkyBirdRadio	Date: April 7, 2004 @ 9:28 AM Robby, Can I email you the avatar? The skybirdradio site is maintained by a wonderful webmistress, and she is the one that puts stuff there. She has been so busy with other clients I don't want to bug her. As soon as my paid membership goes through, I am gonna start putting my own songs up. I also have a lot of satire and comedy stuff from over the years that I produced. And I would like to have an avatar rather than just the lightening bolt (looks real winampy!) Da Bird
SkyBirdRadio	Date: April 7, 2004 @ 9:36 AM As for finding something that will do .gif for free, I have been unsuccessful. Remember I use Lynux and not Windows. Linux software is very very good, but my distribution has nothing gif about it. Lots of image modification tools, 3D images and morphing... But saves in every format EXCEPT GIF. There is no plug in available, I looked. I have machines that run Mandrake, Red Hat and FREEBSD just to prove how compatable each is. They coesist nicely on the local area network. I Detest RIAA, MICROSOFT, DSS, DISHNET, MOTOROLA, SONYMUSIC and the rest of those bums. My radio station does not have commercials. I pay to work here. Our bunch is all about open source free broadcasting, open source music, and sharing and giving. Yeah that makes me weird.
robbydadrummer	Date: April 7, 2004 @ 9:58 AM Sure, email me the avatar and I will convert it for you... mcgyver@ouchyonder.com and the "lightning bolt" will change to the music genre you listed for yourself after some more posting, or you can send a note or shout to either milladrive or leflaw and they can change it for you.
jeddak	Date: April 7, 2004 @ 10:04 AM The latest version of the GIMP does gifs (I think). The Unisys gif patent expired last year. There's no reason for current versions of graphics software to not support gifs at this point. I think.
mawcs	Date: April 7, 2004 @ 10:54 AM Yeah GIMP 2.0 has native GIF support, no more "plugin". Also, your enemy list and mine are very close. I have added AOL to my list.
mawcs	Date: April 7, 2004 @ 10:54 AM (I declare this thread greyscale!)
robbydadrummer	Date: April 7, 2004 @ 11:06 AM " id="94616">AOHell has been on my enemy list for years. GIV'EM THE AXE!!!
pog	Date: April 7, 2004 @ 11:28 AM http://sourceforge.net/projects/libungif/
pog	Date: April 7, 2004 @ 11:31 AM and like mawcs said, I'd be surprised if gimp can't do it.

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