Slashdot Mirror
Music Download Service Targets Linux Desktops
An anonymous reader writes "According to DesktopLinux.com, a new music download service was launched recently by theKompany.com that, unlike iTunes and Napster, targets Linux desktops. Mindawn is claimed to provide CD-quality song files and 'virtually no' digital rights management (DRM) restrictions, offer full previews of the entire songs, and provide downloads in a variety of formats." There's also an interview with the founder.
I may be different but I don't really want famous artists. I want to be able to discover new stuff. The problem is: I have to download their closed-source player in order to listen to previews and demos. I wished there was something more like Magnatune, or a 30 seconds low-quality mp3 version for example.
OTOH they don't believe a CD copied to a friend is a lost sale, they think it's one future customer! They deserve respect for that.
I'd love to support them.
Trouble is, I want to buy Franz Ferdinand, not Fred and the Freaks....
Much as I admire the attempt, I can't see major labels sacrificing their precious DRM.
Remember when iTunes came out - none of us could beleive how strict it was - quite how inconvenient it would be to use. Nowadays iTunes is the friendly face of DRM...
I'd just buy a damn CD if they weren't protecting them as well... I just want to listen on my Linux PC and iPod why do they make it so difficult?
I have no idea what this company's business plan looks like, but anybody with even a modicum of common sense knows that there's virtually no way possible to grow this thing into a usable service if your customer base is that tiny. We're talking HOME LINUX users. Realistically, that's a customer base that's in the 5 figures, low 6 figures, tops. Out of those, even if they get 50% of the market, it's going to be very tough. But that current customer base is mainly made up of geeks screaming "free! free! free!" who are very able to find free music. So not only is their potential customer base tiny, but the customer base that does exist is not one that is likely to purchase music.
This one is a no brainer. It's just a matter of time before they run out of cash.
I don't respond to AC's.
mp3.com was bought out and "shut down" because they chose to be bought out. Who says Mindawn has to be bought out?