WMP/Winamp track stats in blogs

Mads Haugbø Nissen writes:

I really don't like the thing that puts in what song people are listening to whilst blogging.

This is by definition spam. This is not IRC, nor SMS allowing us to write likah l33t h4x0rs & kidz on tha block in tha houze. Spam will hit blogs soon enough.

Thought I'd express this before everyone uses this thing.

[Mads Haugbø Nissen]

My first reaction to this post was, essentially, "geez, guy...lighten up!", but I thought perhaps a somewhat more thoughtful response was warranted.

While it may have something to do with the fact that I'm one of those who uses the WMP plug-in, I guess I don't see why this is a problem, nor do I agree that "this is by definition spam". By definition, if someone reads my blog (or even the main feed at dotnetweblogs.com), it's not unsolicited, which is a rather important part of the definition of SPAM. They may not like or find useful everything that I have to say, or all of what I post, but that doesn't make it unsolicited.

And there's a simple solution...if you don't like blogs that provide this information, don't read them. The way I look at it, people who read my musings on code, technology, etc., may also find it interesting to know other stuff about me, including the music that I listen to. I may be wrong about that, but I'm hardly forcing folks to read my blog, and if they can't manage to ignore a one-line note on my current listening habits...well, let's just say I'm not going to get my knickers in a hitch about it. No offense meant, Mads, but I really think there are more important things to get worked up about.

[Listening to: Whatever I Fear - Toad - Coil (02:57)]

4 Comments

  • AMEN!!! You should not have to censor your musings.

  • Careful throwing around the term "censor". Mads is completely entitled to express his opinion, and his criticism in no way equates to censorship.





    Unfortunately, I think that we've (collectively) come to expect that "free speech" means being able to say whatever you want without having to take any criticism about it. I vehemently disagree with this take on things, and believe that sometimes the criticism (on both sides) can be as important as the original speech.





    So to pull an example from the headlines...the Dixie Chicks are completely free to say they are embarrassed that President Bush is from the same state as they are, but those who disagree are likewise free to call them idiots (or unpatriotic, etc.) for it. In both cases, people are expressing their ideas freely, and in neither case is there censorship going on.





    So while I disagree with Mads' criticism of the add-ins for track info in blogs, I don't think it has anything to do with censorship, and I think he's entitled to state his views.

  • I'm not really that "worked up" about this:) It's simply giving me the vibe of those irc-addicted 14-year olds that flushes the otherwise interesting channels with unnecissary noise.





    I'll keep reading all interesting blogs and hope they stay as good as they are today, and will not have any problem with those informing me of the tune they are listening to at the moment. I simply don't care.

  • What's the link to get the plugin? Does it work with Winamp?

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