Slashdot Mirror

NetMusic has imported a bunch of MP3 players from S. Korea, and one of them, the HD-800 plays OGG/MP3/WMA. It's a pretty cool little player.

NetMusic has imported a number of different players from Asian manufacturers, and the HD-800 is a 20GB player that supports OGG/WMA/MP3/WAV, FM Radio, and the best part, in my opinion, is that it uses 1.8" drives so that it is end-user upgradable.

</End Blatant Self Promotion>

What iTunes, et al, do with DRM is actually very lenient in light of what the 5 majors want (and are actively seeking). They have appeased the RIAA and brethren by perpetuating the illusion that digital material can be fully protected. In reality, all that these DRM schemes have done is place a bump in the road... and a pretty insignificant bump at that. However, that is the price that they (as retailer) must pay to allow major label content to you (the consumer).

There is a bit of a solution though. Companies like mine, AudioLunchbox, Magnatune, and a few others, are skirting the entire DRM issue by offering indie and quasi-major label material (eg, a compilation put out by an indie that contains tracks by major label artists).

As time goes on, I sincerely believe that DRM will become *less* of an issue, as the majors begin to realize that while they need to aggressively protect their copyrights, they also need to make sales to the consumer. In the interim, please support those of us who are working to bring you quality music unfettered by DRM.

My belief system has always included the concept of integrity, honesty, and brutal truth when it comes to comes to posting on slash dot. I guess the moral crux of the matter is that you can't trust no one.

Sometimes don't you just get so sick of it all and wish that you were somewhere in Thailand, sitting on a beach with a member of the the fair sex (or, if you prefer, a strapping young lad), testifying about how much things suck in the real world?

aha! you say... that sounds like good, clean fun!

Well, I guess that today is the day and that from this day forward we should follow through and actually live by the honor system.

Any questions?

My belief system has always included the concept of integrity, honesty, and brutal truth when it comes to comes to posting on slash dot. I guess the moral crux of the matter is that you can't trust no one.

Sometimes don't you just get so sick of it all and wish that you were somewhere in Thailand, sitting on a beach with a member of the the fair sex (or, if you prefer, a strapping young lad), testifying about how much things suck in the real world?

aha! you say... that sounds like good, clean fun!

Well, I guess that today is the day and that from this day forward we should follow through and actually live by the honor system.

Any questions?

My belief system has always included the concept of integrity, honesty, and brutal truth when it comes to comes to posting on slash dot. I guess the moral crux of the matter is that you can't trust no one.

Sometimes don't you just get so sick of it all and wish that you were somewhere in Thailand, sitting on a beach with a member of the the fair sex (or, if you prefer, a strapping young lad), testifying about how much things suck in the real world?

aha! you say... that sounds like good, clean fun!

Well, I guess that today is the day and that from this day forward we should follow through and actually live by the honor system.

Any questions?

My belief system has always included the concept of integrity, honesty, and brutal truth when it comes to comes to posting on slash dot. I guess the moral crux of the matter is that you can't trust no one.

Sometimes don't you just get so sick of it all and wish that you were somewhere in Thailand, sitting on a beach with a member of the the fair sex (or, if you prefer, a strapping young lad), testifying about how much things suck in the real world?

aha! you say... that sounds like good, clean fun!

Well, I guess that today is the day and that from this day forward we should follow through and actually live by the honor system.

Any questions?

My belief system has always included the concept of integrity, honesty, and brutal truth when it comes to comes to posting on slash dot. I guess the moral crux of the matter is that you can't trust no one.

Sometimes don't you just get so sick of it all and wish that you were somewhere in Thailand, sitting on a beach with a member of the the fair sex (or, if you prefer, a strapping young lad), testifying about how much things suck in the real world?

aha! you say... that sounds like good, clean fun!

Well, I guess that today is the day and that from this day forward we should follow through and actually live by the honor system.

Any questions?

My belief system has always included the concept of integrity, honesty, and brutal truth when it comes to comes to posting on slash dot. I guess the moral crux of the matter is that you can't trust no one.

Sometimes don't you just get so sick of it all and wish that you were somewhere in Thailand, sitting on a beach with a member of the the fair sex (or, if you prefer, a strapping young lad), testifying about how much things suck in the real world?

aha! you say... that sounds like good, clean fun!

Well, I guess that today is the day and that from this day forward we should follow through and actually live by the honor system.

Any questions?

My belief system has always included the concept of integrity, honesty, and brutal truth when it comes to comes to posting on slash dot. I guess the moral crux of the matter is that you can't trust no one.

Sometimes don't you just get so sick of it all and wish that you were somewhere in Thailand, sitting on a beach with a member of the the fair sex (or, if you prefer, a strapping young lad), testifying about how much things suck in the real world?

aha! you say... that sounds like good, clean fun!

Well, I guess that today is the day and that from this day forward we should follow through and actually live by the honor system.

Any questions?

My belief system has always included the concept of integrity, honesty, and brutal truth when it comes to comes to posting on slash dot. I guess the moral crux of the matter is that you can't trust no one.

Sometimes don't you just get so sick of it all and wish that you were somewhere in Thailand, sitting on a beach with a member of the the fair sex (or, if you prefer, a strapping young lad), testifying about how much things suck in the real world?

aha! you say... that sounds like good, clean fun!

Well, I guess that today is the day and that from this day forward we should follow through and actually live by the honor system.

Any questions?

My belief system has always included the concept of integrity, honesty, and brutal truth when it comes to comes to posting on slash dot. I guess the moral crux of the matter is that you can't trust no one.

Sometimes don't you just get so sick of it all and wish that you were somewhere in Thailand, sitting on a beach with a member of the the fair sex (or, if you prefer, a strapping young lad), testifying about how much things suck in the real world?

aha! you say... that sounds like good, clean fun!

Well, I guess that today is the day and that from this day forward we should follow through and actually live by the honor system.

Any questions?

My belief system has always included the concept of integrity, honesty, and brutal truth when it comes to comes to posting on slash dot. I guess the moral crux of the matter is that you can't trust no one.

Sometimes don't you just get so sick of it all and wish that you were somewhere in Thailand, sitting on a beach with a member of the the fair sex (or, if you prefer, a strapping young lad), testifying about how much things suck in the real world?

aha! you say... that sounds like good, clean fun!

Well, I guess that today is the day and that from this day forward we should follow through and actually live by the honor system.

Any questions?

My belief system has always included the concept of integrity, honesty, and brutal truth when it comes to comes to posting on slash dot. I guess the moral crux of the matter is that you can't trust no one.

Sometimes don't you just get so sick of it all and wish that you were somewhere in Thailand, sitting on a beach with a member of the the fair sex (or, if you prefer, a strapping young lad), testifying about how much things suck in the real world?

aha! you say... that sounds like good, clean fun!

Well, I guess that today is the day and that from this day forward we should follow through and actually live by the honor system.

Any questions?

My belief system has always included the concept of integrity, honesty, and brutal truth when it comes to comes to posting on slash dot. I guess the moral crux of the matter is that you can't trust no one.

Sometimes don't you just get so sick of it all and wish that you were somewhere in Thailand, sitting on a beach with a member of the the fair sex (or, if you prefer, a strapping young lad), testifying about how much things suck in the real world?

aha! you say... that sounds like good, clean fun!

Well, I guess that today is the day and that from this day forward we should follow through and actually live by the honor system.

Any questions?

My belief system has always included the concept of integrity, honesty, and brutal truth when it comes to comes to posting on slash dot. I guess the moral crux of the matter is that you can't trust no one.

Sometimes don't you just get so sick of it all and wish that you were somewhere in Thailand, sitting on a beach with a member of the the fair sex (or, if you prefer, a strapping young lad), testifying about how much things suck in the real world?

aha! you say... that sounds like good, clean fun!

Well, I guess that today is the day and that from this day forward we should follow through and actually live by the honor system.

Any questions?

My belief system has always included the concept of integrity, honesty, and brutal truth when it comes to comes to posting on slash dot. I guess the moral crux of the matter is that you can't trust no one.

Sometimes don't you just get so sick of it all and wish that you were somewhere in Thailand, sitting on a beach with a member of the the fair sex (or, if you prefer, a strapping young lad), testifying about how much things suck in the real world?

aha! you say... that sounds like good, clean fun!

Well, I guess that today is the day and that from this day forward we should follow through and actually live by the honor system.

Any questions?

My belief system has always included the concept of integrity, honesty, and brutal truth when it comes to comes to posting on slash dot. I guess the moral crux of the matter is that you can't trust no one.

Sometimes don't you just get so sick of it all and wish that you were somewhere in Thailand, sitting on a beach with a member of the the fair sex (or, if you prefer, a strapping young lad), testifying about how much things suck in the real world?

aha! you say... that sounds like good, clean fun!

Well, I guess that today is the day and that from this day forward we should follow through and actually live by the honor system.

Any questions?

My belief system has always included the concept of integrity, honesty, and brutal truth when it comes to comes to posting on slash dot. I guess the moral crux of the matter is that you can't trust no one.

Sometimes don't you just get so sick of it all and wish that you were somewhere in Thailand, sitting on a beach with a member of the the fair sex (or, if you prefer, a strapping young lad), testifying about how much things suck in the real world?

aha! you say... that sounds like good, clean fun!

Well, I guess that today is the day and that from this day forward we should follow through and actually live by the honor system.

Any questions?

My belief system has always included the concept of integrity, honesty, and brutal truth when it comes to comes to posting on slash dot. I guess the moral crux of the matter is that you can't trust no one.

Sometimes don't you just get so sick of it all and wish that you were somewhere in Thailand, sitting on a beach with a member of the the fair sex (or, if you prefer, a strapping young lad), testifying about how much things suck in the real world?

aha! you say... that sounds like good, clean fun!

Well, I guess that today is the day and that from this day forward we should follow through and actually live by the honor system.

Any questions?

My belief system has always included the concept of integrity, honesty, and brutal truth when it comes to comes to posting on slash dot. I guess the moral crux of the matter is that you can't trust no one.

Sometimes don't you just get so sick of it all and wish that you were somewhere in Thailand, sitting on a beach with a member of the the fair sex (or, if you prefer, a strapping young lad), testifying about how much things suck in the real world?

aha! you say... that sounds like good, clean fun!

Well, I guess that today is the day and that from this day forward we should follow through and actually live by the honor system.

Any questions?

My belief system has always included the concept of integrity, honesty, and brutal truth when it comes to comes to posting on slash dot. I guess the moral crux of the matter is that you can't trust no one.

Sometimes don't you just get so sick of it all and wish that you were somewhere in Thailand, sitting on a beach with a member of the the fair sex (or, if you prefer, a strapping young lad), testifying about how much things suck in the real world?

aha! you say... that sounds like good, clean fun!

Well, I guess that today is the day and that from this day forward we should follow through and actually live by the honor system.

Any questions?

My belief system has always included the concept of integrity, honesty, and brutal truth when it comes to comes to posting on slash dot. I guess the moral crux of the matter is that you can't trust no one.

Sometimes don't you just get so sick of it all and wish that you were somewhere in Thailand, sitting on a beach with a member of the the fair sex (or, if you prefer, a strapping young lad), testifying about how much things suck in the real world?

aha! you say... that sounds like good, clean fun!

Well, I guess that today is the day and that from this day forward we should follow through and actually live by the honor system.

Any questions?

My belief system has always included the concept of integrity, honesty, and brutal truth when it comes to comes to posting on slash dot. I guess the moral crux of the matter is that you can't trust no one.

Sometimes don't you just get so sick of it all and wish that you were somewhere in Thailand, sitting on a beach with a member of the the fair sex (or, if you prefer, a strapping young lad), testifying about how much things suck in the real world?

aha! you say... that sounds like good, clean fun!

Well, I guess that today is the day and that from this day forward we should follow through and actually live by the honor system.

Any questions?

My belief system has always included the concept of integrity, honesty, and brutal truth when it comes to comes to posting on slash dot. I guess the moral crux of the matter is that you can't trust no one.

Sometimes don't you just get so sick of it all and wish that you were somewhere in Thailand, sitting on a beach with a member of the the fair sex (or, if you prefer, a strapping young lad), testifying about how much things suck in the real world?

aha! you say... that sounds like good, clean fun!

Well, I guess that today is the day and that from this day forward we should follow through and actually live by the honor system.

Any questions?

My belief system has always included the concept of integrity, honesty, and brutal truth when it comes to comes to posting on slash dot. I guess the moral crux of the matter is that you can't trust no one.

Sometimes don't you just get so sick of it all and wish that you were somewhere in Thailand, sitting on a beach with a member of the the fair sex (or, if you prefer, a strapping young lad), testifying about how much things suck in the real world?

aha! you say... that sounds like good, clean fun!

Well, I guess that today is the day and that from this day forward we should follow through and actually live by the honor system.

Any questions?

My belief system has always included the concept of integrity, honesty, and brutal truth when it comes to comes to posting on slash dot. I guess the moral crux of the matter is that you can't trust no one.

Sometimes don't you just get so sick of it all and wish that you were somewhere in Thailand, sitting on a beach with a member of the the fair sex (or, if you prefer, a strapping young lad), testifying about how much things suck in the real world?

aha! you say... that sounds like good, clean fun!

Well, I guess that today is the day and that from this day forward we should follow through and actually live by the honor system.

Any questions?

Well said! Here's (as an AC so as not to whore the karma) an excellent comment by Linuxbaby, who works at the superb CDBaby service (hats off for being such an ethical company!):

Try some of the more open/competititive ones! (Score:5, Informative)
by linuxbaby (124641) * on 04:43 PM May 7th, 2004 ( #9085738)
(http://www.cdbaby.com/)

Worry not. There are many many MANY more to come that are being very competitive AND open. CD Baby is delivering over 250,000 songs to EACH of the companies below, and the norm for the smaller companies is to receive MP3 or even FLAC delivery.

So instead of whining about how some big major-label Universal album (where the artist hardly gets paid anyway) is DRM'd or expensive, be an independent thinker and go try some of the smaller services.

Emusic
Website for Mac, Windows, Linux where members can download up to 40 tracks per month of high-quality MP3 files. Has been around for YEARS doing both 99-cent downloads, and all-you-can-eat downloads for paid members. Has great catalog of indie label music - company is currently reforming.
AudioLunchbox
One of the first all-independent music download sites. Tracks retail for 99 and albums retail for $9.99. ALB pays out 59 per song and $5.90 per album.
NetMusic
Digital download and streaming service. We get 65 cents per downloaded song. Entire-album downloads usually retail at $9.99.
Emepe3.com
Website that primarily targets Latin America, USA and Spain. Tracks sell for 99 cents. We get 65 cents. Entire-album downloads are usually $9.99.
Etherstream
Website that offers a la carte downloads. Tracks sell for 99 cents. We get 65 cents. Entire-album downloads are usually $9.99.
Music4Cents
Retails independent music at very reasonable prices. Pays 55 cents per download. Sells independent music - they will sell CD Baby songs at $.69.
QTRnote
Artist gets about $.64.
TriaSite
TriaSite retails independent music downloads. Pays $.65 per download
Puretracks
Canada-only service that offers $.99 downloads. Website is currently available to Candian residents only. Puretracks is acting both as an online download retailer and a back-end service provider for other retailers. Downloads cost $.99 per track - artist gets about $.59 per track.
CatchMusic
Download site focusing on independent music. CatchMusic sells a la carte downloads at $1 each. Songs retail at $1 - artist gets about $.55 per song.
Viztas Digital Marketplace
Viztas Digital Marketplace will sell all kinds of digital media - not just music. Tracks retail for 99 and albums retail for $9.99. Vistaz pays out 60 per song and $6.10 per album. Viztas has not yet launched.
DiscLogic
A la carte downloads. Tracks sell for 99 cents. We get 65 cents. Entire-album downloads are usually $9.99.

** BEGIN added to original comment by AC poster **
CDBaby
CD Baby is a little online record store that sells CDs by independent musicians. I don't think they sell downloads, but I

NetMusic-- No DRM, VBR MP3s, and available anywhere in the world. $.89/track and $7.99/album.

Ahem... *cough cough*, or NetMusic. Seriously, though... we carry the Magnatune catalog as single track and full album downloads.

So instead of whining about how some big major-label Universal album (where the artist hardly gets paid anyway) is DRM'd or expensive, be an independent thinker and go try some of the smaller services.

Emusic
Website for Mac, Windows, Linux where members can download up to 40 tracks per month of high-quality MP3 files. Has been around for YEARS doing both 99-cent downloads, and all-you-can-eat downloads for paid members. Has great catalog of indie label music - company is currently reforming.
AudioLunchbox
One of the first all-independent music download sites. Tracks retail for 99 and albums retail for $9.99. ALB pays out 59 per song and $5.90 per album.
NetMusic
Digital download and streaming service. We get 65 cents per downloaded song. Entire-album downloads usually retail at $9.99.
Emepe3.com
Website that primarily targets Latin America, USA and Spain. Tracks sell for 99 cents. We get 65 cents. Entire-album downloads are usually $9.99.
Etherstream
Website that offers a la carte downloads. Tracks sell for 99 cents. We get 65 cents. Entire-album downloads are usually $9.99.
Music4Cents
Retails independent music at very reasonable prices. Pays 55 cents per download. Sells independent music - they will sell CD Baby songs at $.69.
QTRnote
Artist gets about $.64.
TriaSite
TriaSite retails independent music downloads. Pays $.65 per download
Puretracks
Canada-only service that offers $.99 downloads. Website is currently available to Candian residents only. Puretracks is acting both as an online download retailer and a back-end service provider for other retailers. Downloads cost $.99 per track - artist gets about $.59 per track.
CatchMusic
Download site focusing on independent music. CatchMusic sells a la carte downloads at $1 each. Songs retail at $1 - artist gets about $.55 per song.
Viztas Digital Marketplace
Viztas Digital Marketplace will sell all kinds of digital media - not just music. Tracks retail for 99 and albums retail for $9.99. Vistaz pays out 60 per song and $6.10 per album. Viztas has not yet launched.
DiscLogic
A la carte downloads. Tracks sell for 99 cents. We get 65 cents. Entire-album downloads are usually $9.99.

My Playlist
NetMusic Recommends
Eclectic Mix
Electronica

My Playlist
NetMusic Recommends
Eclectic Mix
Electronica

My Playlist
NetMusic Recommends
Eclectic Mix
Electronica

My Playlist
NetMusic Recommends
Eclectic Mix
Electronica

Or do a combination of the above and visit a site like my company. We carry the CDBaby and Magnatune catalog, as well as several other independents. We are also negotiating with the majors, but our multiple formats (currently just VBR MP3s but soon to include OGG, AAC and even WMA) as well as a definitive lack of DRM scare them... lots.