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Joined:
November 2005
Posts: 1126
Location: Omaha, NE | A few years back, I got hooked on Napster. I knew it was bootleg, but what the heck. I justified it (in my mind at least) by the fact that I ended up buying far more CD's after getting a taste on Napster.
Now, I'm a subscriber to the new, legal Napster. It only costs $9.95 per month. You get unlimited downloads onto up to three PC's, and can even transfer to compatible MP3 players. If you want to burn CD's, however, you have to pay for each track.
Anyway, it is a really cool way to browse music. I will start with a song that I like, and then find related artists, and related songs, etc, etc, etc. You never know what you will find. It is really powerful.
I hope the industry figures this out. Its not about canabilizing existing sales channels. It is about creating entirely new ones. As I write this, I am listening to a live Odetta album from 1962. I would have never bought that album at a store, and I may not listen to it again, but Napster makes it possible all the same.
Jeff | |
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Joined:
May 2004
Posts: 2850
Location: Midland, MI | Interesting. Is Napster compatible with iPods or is it a PITA to get the files on one? What format are the songs you download in? | |
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Joined:
November 2005
Posts: 1126
Location: Omaha, NE | If iPods can play regular MP3's, then they are compatable.
However, there is a wrinkle: With Napster you can download files in two ways. First, you can download straight to your Napster compatable MP3 player at no additional cost (beyond the monthly subscription) per song. Second, you can buy a song for $0.99, and recieve an "unprotected" MP3 file.
I bought my kids some iRiver MP3 players for Christmas. They are tiny, sound great, and work perfect. I think I paid $45 or $50. That's the way to go.
Jeff | |
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Joined:
November 2005
Posts: 1126
Location: Omaha, NE | Here's the MP3 player I bought for my kids:
http://www.iriveramerica.com/prod/ultra/t30/T30-512.aspx
Street price is about half of MSRP as I recall.
Jeff | |
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Joined:
May 2004
Posts: 2850
Location: Midland, MI | Ah, well, as I have an iPod already, and iTunes charges me $0.99/track, I might just as well stay with them. The unlimited thing sounded intriguing, but doesn't look to be a winner.
I might hook my boys up, though...they both received non-iPod mp3s players for xMas. I'll have to see if they are on the 'compatible' list. Danke! | |
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Napster is cool