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Guess it didn't really matter that Napster beat Apple to launch there.

I wonder if the RIAA's listening?

From looking at the site, it's impossible (as yet) to tell, since they're not actually launching until the 26th (this Wednesday) and it doesn't have much detail available yet.

However, from other sites using the same back-end system (OD2), it doesn't look too promising - when I try any of them, I get a message saying "The site you have tried to enter requires Internet Explorer 5 (or better) with Windows Media Player 7 (or better) on Windows XP, 2000, Me or 98."

We won't know for sure for a few days, but it doesn't look promising.

As it stands, you can only buy online music if you use Windows or Mac OS X --a set up that accounts for 98% of computer users, maybe, but obviously the remaining 2% (Unix/Linux users) know how to code.

I think they keep forgetting this bit. I've said it before, and God knows I'll probably say it again, but they've got to start taking the geek-market more seriously.Unix/Linux/Whatever-alternative-OS users may not be a huge market-share financially, but it's a market you want on your side rather than working against you.

Plus too many shops not only assume Windows use, but assume IE use too.
Whilst reading this thread, I thought I'd try putting my money where my mouth is and supporting legitimate online music services. I took a look at OD2, and on every link to their supported stored, I was hit by some This site requires IE5 or better bullshit. Sorry guys, I use Mozilla. So I guess they won't be getting my money after all.

They're primarily a WMP9 shop, but I believe at least some of the resellers use mp3's, which should work on your ipod.

iTunes itself is coming to europe, in theory the first half of this year; but it's anyone's guess as to when they'll actually launch.

Personally speaking, I prefer to still buy CD's, as I get to choose the rip quality (high quality ogg's for my PC, 128vbr mp3 for my flash mp3 player).

I just refuse to buy the corrupt disks, and stick to the smaller labels, especially the indie's. If you do want to import (cheap) CD's, I can personally recommend CDBaby for non-label music, and cd-wow are insanely cheap for more well known artists.

They're primarily a WMP9 shop, but I believe at least some of the resellers use mp3's, which should work on your ipod.

iTunes itself is coming to europe, in theory the first half of this year; but it's anyone's guess as to when they'll actually launch.

Personally speaking, I prefer to still buy CD's, as I get to choose the rip quality (high quality ogg's for my PC, 128vbr mp3 for my flash mp3 player).

I just refuse to buy the corrupt disks, and stick to the smaller labels, especially the indie's. If you do want to import (cheap) CD's, I can personally recommend CDBaby for non-label music, and cd-wow are insanely cheap for more well known artists.

At least the music distributed is Virus Free (see right pane of the linked page)...

The UK service I mentioned is run by OD2, who provide the same service for other companies (Tiscali, etc)

Didn't see it in the articles but the press release from OD2 specifies that the music will be in the Windows Media Player 9 format. Well, that sure makes me uninterested in this service.

EMI are using OD2 for the distribution. OD2 use Windows Media with DRM.

Here is a service started up by Peter Gabriel and a few folks: On Demand Distribution

On Demand Distribution
A site recommended by Peter Gabriel