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Buying Music from Other than iTunes?

Posted by Cliff on from the something-that-just-works dept.

flyingember asks: "I own an iPod and use iTunes music store. It's easy and it works. My mom likes her tiny Philips Rush player, as she prefers small for her devices. Now, she wants more music, and is willing to pay for it. She runs Windows 98SE, because she likes it and work hasn't upgraded to XP, yet. Does this sound like anyone you know? Is there a service that supports Windows98, a ton of players, and has good variety? I'm willing to put up with WMA's, if compatability is there. Napster is 2000/XP only; Musicmatch does not support her player for downloads; Buymusic seems to be the same; and Emusic doesn't have the right music. Is there a legal download service for people that don't have an iPod that just works?"

16 of 70 comments (clear)

  1. Allofmp3 by p0ppe · · Score: 5, Informative

    http://www.allofmp3.com/ - Run out of Russia, great service (online encoding for example) and great prices ($0.01/mb) but a question about legality when used from the US.

    They're fully licenced with the local RIAA equivalent, but there doesn't seem to be any info available on American legislation.

    A more in-depth discussion on the site can be found at http://www.museekster.com/allofmp3info.htm

    --


    "Democracy is three wolves and a sheep voting on what to have for dinner."
    1. Re:Allofmp3 by returnoftheyeti · · Score: 2, Interesting
      Allofmp3 does have its paperwork in order to stay in compliance with Russian laws. The RIAA is completely aware of Allofmp3 but has not been able to take any action so far. We think it is safe to say that Allmp3 is a legal service. If you would like to do a little research yourself. Use the Altavista Toolbar to translate the Russian pages at www.roms.ru Is using Allofmp3 legal? In the User Agreement Allofmp3 states that you may not use the service if it is in conflict with the legislation of your country. Of course Allofmp3 has added this as a kind of disclaimer. Who can tell if using Allofmp3 is against the law in your country? We doubt if anyone can in the current jungle of legal issues on copyright and internet.

      From the TOS of AllofMP3

  2. iTunes + Walmart by skinfitz · · Score: 2, Informative

    Firstly iTunes runs on Windows, however it only runs on the non-toy versions. (2k + XP). Yes I know it's designed for an iPod but you can burn to CD then re-rip them to a portable format.

    Secondly Walmart now sell music downloads for 88c

  3. Re:umm... by Arkham · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Likes Windows 98? Prefers it over more modern operating systems like Windows 2000, Windows XP, OS X, and various variants of Linux? Sounds like you have other, more pressing problems than online music...

    If a W98 system is set up carefully and is not abused by installing programs off the internet, it can be usable and reliable. My wife's Celeron 366 runs Win98 just fine. She uses it for Quicken, IE, and Outlook Express, and that's it. I have filters on the email server, a filtering web proxy, and she has no issues at all.

    I could put Linux on there, but then she couldn't use Quicken, and Turbotax would not run. The other more modern OS's like Win2k are too resource hungry for such a lowly machine, so Win98 endures.

    --
    - Vincit qui patitur.
  4. This is just stupid by rudy_wayne · · Score: 2, Insightful

    "she wants more music, and is willing to pay for it."

    Then go to the store and buy some CDs. DUH!!!!

    1. Re:This is just stupid by BrookHarty · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Then go to the store and buy some CDs. DUH!!!!

      Ya, drive to the store, browse the limited amount of cds, listen to even smaller amount, purchase the whole cd for 1 song you like, then take it home, rip and convert to your mp3 player. Hope you like hip-hop, country or top40.

      No thanks.

      Online is the best way to buy music, and there is even free legal music. The choice and cost wins over brick and mortar stores.

  5. Re:umm... by curious.corn · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Older people aren't as accustomed to shelling piles of cash for an impalpable good every 4 years as us. Even trivial consumer goods like a toaster, a handheld phone or a TV set are expected to last longer. When they fail, often people have them repaired because the utility provided is deemed sufficient (thus came featuritis in the hope that it justifies the profit margin for a good that could remain on the market unchanged after many years). How can you reconcile these people with planned obsolescence for something that isn't much more than a serial number in a pretty box (and proverbially broken)?
    As long as you don't have a TV set in your skull you tend to think much more like a corporation rather than a feeding lemming...

    --
    Mi domando chi à il mandante di tutte le cazzate che faccio - Altan
  6. Well after reading all the replies so far... by kommakazi · · Score: 4, Insightful

    it seems the answer to the original question "Is there a legal download service for people that don't have an iPod that just works?" is no .

    1. Re:Well after reading all the replies so far... by magnum3065 · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Well, that depends on what you mean by "just works." This guy has a pretty strict set of requirements beyond not being for the iPod. Most of the services out there work quite well for quite a lot of people, but when you're looking for a service that supports a discontinued player on a discontinued operating system that gets a little tougher.

  7. Buy records? by AtariAmarok · · Score: 3, Funny

    And if you want real luxury, buy your mom a decent record player and listen to the unsurpassed warm analog sound of all those vintage records you can buy second hand at one tenth of the price of a cd .

    "In a Godda SNAP Davida SIZZLE baby POP POP. Don't ya POP SNAP SIZZLE you. In a TSSS CRACK David POP baby SNAP SNAP be POP"

    Warm sound, yeah. Makes you think of bacon on a hot griddle.

    --
    Don't blame Durga. I voted for Centauri.
    1. Re:Buy records? by Babbster · · Score: 3, Insightful
      Maybe you can explain why high-end audio fanatics often prefer records to cd's.

      I've found that most high-end audio fanatics enjoy listening to music wherever they want rather than being chained to a turntable and a tube amplifier in order to get that "faithful, warmer and brighter" sound.

      Oh yeah. I've also found that most "fanatics" are insane enough that I don't need to be taking advice from them...the voices in my OWN head are loud enough that I don't need to hear from THEIR imaginary friends.

  8. Re:upgrade by nukem1999 · · Score: 2, Informative

    And takes about 4x the resources

  9. Re:Get a Mini-iPod by Babbster · · Score: 2, Insightful
    RTFQ. His mom already has an MP3 player that she likes (noting the small size - FYI, the Rush is about 50 gm while the iPod is about 150 gm). Besides, why would someone base a decision like this on possible future products instead of products that are available today?

    I recommend reposting your response when someone asks what the rumors are about the mini iPod and NOT when someone asks about services to use with an existing MP3 player.

  10. Re:umm... by Acidic_Diarrhea · · Score: 2, Informative
    There are plenty of people who use computers who are quite happy using the same old software they've been using for many years. Furthermore, there are many people who don't understand this simple fact. You appear to be one of them.

    --
    I hate liberals. If you are a liberal, do not reply.
  11. Good music companies by Thornae · · Score: 2, Informative

    http://www.allofmp3.com/ ... question about legality when used from the US
    What about Australia? Anyone? Oh well, I guess I'll download and see if I get arrested...

    On topic, I can't believe no-one's mentioned Magnatune yet, a site I found from a mention right here on /.
    You can download or stream all their artists in low or high quality mp3, then buy the music and download it in a variety of formats. And their motto is "We are not evil". What more do you want?

    --
    |>
    Here be Dragons
  12. It's legal. by k98sven · · Score: 2, Informative

    Yes you can tell.

    If it's legal for them, it's not illegal for you.

    Copyright law makes the actions of copying and redistributing copyrighted works without authorization illegal.
    NOT the purchase of said copies, no matter what the RIAA/MPAA would like to have you think.

    This doesn't depend on which country you live in, it's how copyright works.

    It's up to them (as the distributors) to have their stuff in order.
    But even if they don't, there is no way you are liable.

    By analogy, if the NY Times were to publish a plagiarized article (as they have, on occasion), they can be held liable for copyright infringment and damages. But by no extension of the law are the NYT subscribers liable.