Hmmm, now what would you do with a database of SMS-enabled cell phone numbers? Is it illegal to SMS ads to cell phones? What about if they SMS you first?
I used to have to fight with my ISPs to let me keep my MP3s up on my website. All mp3s were assumed to be illegal, ignoring the possibility that I actually authored the content myself, which I had, and was giving it away for free.
I like to think that my taste in music is too unique to be derived from a music magazine. I can listen to internet and terrestrial radio but that's not going to tell me about if I'll like the entire album enough to buy it. Internet radio is great, but I can't listen to that in my car. As for terrestrial radio, there isn't much diversity and content quality on the stations in my area and I can honestly say it's been years since I've discovered something new on it.
After having to fight with DRM content providers on several occasions due to switching computers, reformatting them and so on, I've come to a realization that DRM as it is isn't a good way to 'own' music. I've had too many problems playing tracks that I 'own' a year later let alone 20 or 30 years later. So what happens to the DRM protected tracks I bought when I get a new computer and the content provider I bought it from is out of business? I'll have to dust off the old computer in the basement so I can have a listen. My point here is that I'm not convinced that you'll have anything tangible either way, so it's my preference to rent through Napster, and buy the CD and rip it.
Yes, this way does cost me twice as much as just buying a single CD a month, but it's comparable to what I was paying for XM so I don't mind the cost. It's a matter of preference really, and my only point is, it's not a substitute for buying music.
I think that people are looking at this the wrong way... It's about discovering new music, not a replacement for buying music. I look at it as a replacement for my XM radio (which I cancelled due to the degrading sound quality as they depreciated older equipment and added more channels.) Most of the songs I download and listen to I wouldn't want to own, and the same thing goes for movies I rent on Netflix. When I do find an album that I want to buy I will do just that, and it doesn't cost much more than XM does and I get to pick the programming.
Before I got a DVD burner I bought about 2 DVDs a year. Now I have a $25/month DVD rental subscription. I doubt they are losing money off of the majority of people who copy DVDs, and they are just going to stunt innovation for what consumers really want to do with their media (e.g. Kaleidescape).
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I keep going outside and waving but I don't see myself.
Hmmm, now what would you do with a database of SMS-enabled cell phone numbers? Is it illegal to SMS ads to cell phones? What about if they SMS you first?
I used to have to fight with my ISPs to let me keep my MP3s up on my website. All mp3s were assumed to be illegal, ignoring the possibility that I actually authored the content myself, which I had, and was giving it away for free.
I like to think that my taste in music is too unique to be derived from a music magazine. I can listen to internet and terrestrial radio but that's not going to tell me about if I'll like the entire album enough to buy it. Internet radio is great, but I can't listen to that in my car. As for terrestrial radio, there isn't much diversity and content quality on the stations in my area and I can honestly say it's been years since I've discovered something new on it. After having to fight with DRM content providers on several occasions due to switching computers, reformatting them and so on, I've come to a realization that DRM as it is isn't a good way to 'own' music. I've had too many problems playing tracks that I 'own' a year later let alone 20 or 30 years later. So what happens to the DRM protected tracks I bought when I get a new computer and the content provider I bought it from is out of business? I'll have to dust off the old computer in the basement so I can have a listen. My point here is that I'm not convinced that you'll have anything tangible either way, so it's my preference to rent through Napster, and buy the CD and rip it. Yes, this way does cost me twice as much as just buying a single CD a month, but it's comparable to what I was paying for XM so I don't mind the cost. It's a matter of preference really, and my only point is, it's not a substitute for buying music.
I think that people are looking at this the wrong way... It's about discovering new music, not a replacement for buying music. I look at it as a replacement for my XM radio (which I cancelled due to the degrading sound quality as they depreciated older equipment and added more channels.) Most of the songs I download and listen to I wouldn't want to own, and the same thing goes for movies I rent on Netflix. When I do find an album that I want to buy I will do just that, and it doesn't cost much more than XM does and I get to pick the programming.
So are we going to be complaining about google in 10 years then?
Before I got a DVD burner I bought about 2 DVDs a year. Now I have a $25/month DVD rental subscription. I doubt they are losing money off of the majority of people who copy DVDs, and they are just going to stunt innovation for what consumers really want to do with their media (e.g. Kaleidescape).