Tycho of Penny-Arcade just got bit by a piece of DRM technology.
I'd love to tell you about F.E.A.R., but the SecuROM security on the DVD won't allow me to install the game that I bought legitimately. I'm currently trying to decide if I should return it for a CD version I might have better luck with, or just return it straight up and get my hands on one of the other ten absolutely necessary games hitting this month.
I ranted recently about how DRM technologies, in their quest to eliminate piracy (and fair use rights, *cough*), must not unjustly inconvenience the legimitate user, especially the Average-Joe user. Tycho's case is an above-average user throwing up his hands in defeat. If DRM'd media is troubling him -- and remember that he's not trying to circumvent it, he's trying to play by the rules -- then Mom and Pop are destined for a world of hurt. What is the end result of all this hurt? Lost sales. Oops. I sure hope the lost sales are made up for the revenue protected by their anti-piracy efforts. What's that you say? That those who really, really don't want to pay will either find a way to not pay, or go without, that there's no revenue there to be regained? Interesting.