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Digital Culture Industry

A History of Digital Distribution

Palgrave Macmillan

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Table of contents (9 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-x
  2. Introduction

    • James Allen-Robertson
    Pages 1-10
  3. Writing a Digital History with Digital Documents

    • James Allen-Robertson
    Pages 11-38
  4. MP3.com and Napster: The Entrepreneurs of Risk

    • James Allen-Robertson
    Pages 39-63
  5. GNUtella: Decentralising the Masses

    • James Allen-Robertson
    Pages 64-75
  6. FastTrack: The Business of Piracy

    • James Allen-Robertson
    Pages 76-93
  7. BitTorrent: Revolution in the Network

    • James Allen-Robertson
    Pages 94-131
  8. Hacking the Market

    • James Allen-Robertson
    Pages 132-151
  9. New Media Gatekeepers

    • James Allen-Robertson
    Pages 152-186
  10. A History of Digital Distribution

    • James Allen-Robertson
    Pages 187-200
  11. Back Matter

    Pages 201-231

About this book

How did digital media happen ? Through a unique approach to digital documents, and detailed intricate histories of illicit internet piracy networks, The Digital Culture Industry goes beyond the Napster creation myth and illuminates the unseen individuals, code and events behind the turn to digital media.

Reviews

'This book not only examines a crucial cultural and political issue, it is also a clear demonstration of some of the methodological and technical issues that we now face in undertaking contemporary historical analysis. This is a book that should appeal to those interested in modern history as well as those interested in the sociology of new media. It is a compelling and informative read.'

Professor Roger Burrows, Goldsmiths, University of London, UK

'This book represents a pivotal moment in the study of digital culture. The weaving together of various types of eclectic resources reveals the underlying stories of digital distribution. As a result this book provides the much needed historical context upon which the study of new media should be built and acts as an antidote to more reactionary or sensational commentaries of digital culture. Its focus though is not upon the familiar or established stories but upon the people, the devices, the organizations and the moments of chance that come together to shape the form that contemporary media take.'

Dr David Beer, University of York, UK

About the author

James Allen-Robertson is a doctoral alumni of the Department of Sociology at the University of York, UK. His previous research has been published in the international journal Mobilities and he continues his work in the fields of digital culture and social informatics.

Bibliographic Information

Buy it now

Buying options

eBook USD 39.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 54.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access