Ring tones--the new protest songs

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technology. "Throw a ring tone in the mix, it's another way to get the message out."

The problem is, cell phone carriers in the United States make it harder than in many other countries to create, distribute or swap your own ring tones.

In the Philippines and elsewhere, it's a relatively simple task to swap ring tones with a friend, using a technology called Multimedia Messaging Service. MMS essentially lets phone subscribers send files to one another, in much the same way that Short Messaging Service, or SMS, technology lets them send short text messages.

In the United States, the jumble of different telephone networks means that phones use different types of ring tone formats. Some phones are not allowed to install ring tones from anywhere other than their phone carrier's site, or are not allowed to send files that are designated as ring tones to other phones.

A handful of software companies, such as Xingtone, already let consumers create their own music ring tones from a CD, and help upload them to compatible cell phones.

San Francisco programmer and activist Evan Henshaw Plath is building a similar open-source system called Riot Tones, which will help people create their own ring tones, upload and archive them to the Web and help share them with other people. A tool like this, which works with loopholes in cell phone companies' tightly regulated networks, is needed to let phones reach their natural potential, he said.

"Phones are not conceived of as a social medium, which is crazy, since they're used to communicate with other people," Henshaw Plath said. "It's as if e-mail wasn't conceived as a social medium."

Activists say the soon-to-be-released Riot Tones, or other tools like it, will help political ring tones spread more quickly, by making it a simple process to get them onto most phones. Once the infrastructure is in place, nonprofit groups are likely to use ring tones as a standard part of their membership perks, some say.

"It's really not rocket science to build these," Gundersen said. "What if artists supporting these groups start giving them a 30-second clip to pass around to their members? It makes people who want to support the groups give a little more than just their image."

someone copied my ringtone and I want it back!

ringtone businesses, spammers... it never seems to stop.. and I dont feel guilty anymore for using my EBT card... its a new kind of protest.. pride! and that idea came out of my head

is my quarterly earnings in check with my astrology readings? I sure hope so..

someone copied my ringtone and I want it back!

ringtone businesses, spammers... it never seems to stop.. and I dont feel guilty anymore for using my EBT card... its a new kind of protest.. pride! and that idea came out of my head

is my quarterly earnings in check with my astrology readings? I sure hope so..

[ebrandel]

Man alive

Cell phone rings are annoying enough as is. Now we're going to have to listen to this inane nonsense?

Note to everyone (from everyone): no one cares about your political position. It is neither unique, inspired, nor is it overly informed.

Those out there that flaunt their positions the most publicly usually are the least informed and most ignorant. Case in point: these idiots with their cell phone rings.

Thank you.

[ebrandel]

Man alive

Cell phone rings are annoying enough as is. Now we're going to have to listen to this inane nonsense?

Note to everyone (from everyone): no one cares about your political position. It is neither unique, inspired, nor is it overly informed.

Those out there that flaunt their positions the most publicly usually are the least informed and most ignorant. Case in point: these idiots with their cell phone rings.

Thank you.

[VOLVORacr]

There all copy's

All the ringtones readily available are copy's of original song's
http://www.tonesyouwant.com/

[VOLVORacr]

There all copy's

All the ringtones readily available are copy's of original song's
http://www.tonesyouwant.com/