Napster?

Rick in KY · Aug 1, 2006

I currently download music a la carte from Dell's Jukebox by musicmatch.

It's $0.99/track, and it allows me to burn the tracks onto a cd.

The problem lies in the fact that the selection leaves me wanting.

I checked out Napster, and it has a much wider selection of a la carte entries, as well as having an unlimited download for a monthly fee.

I understand this is old hat to many here, I'm a bit behind the curve.

Can someone answer a few questions?
-Can I burn downloaded tracks like I can with Dell's service?
-If so, how? (I don't use an I-Pod/mp3 player.)
-Is there any problems with legality?
-I saw a review touting MusicETC as being superior. It only charges something like $1.39/month for unlimited downloads. I question its legality.

Any suggestions?

Thanks.

jerrinfla · Aug 2, 2006

I don't use them, but check out www.walmart.com.
Click on the Music tab at the top or their page. They charge 88 cents per song for their downloads, no monthly fee. According to their site, you can burn these files to a CD using windows media player. (The files you can download from them are .wma files). Their site further states that you can burn said files 10 times.
If you're concerned with legality, they are above board. There are probably 100s of other sites that legitimately offer commercial music downloads.....the only reason I know about the walmart site offering downloads is a friend of mine downloaded some songs she couldn;t find elsewhere from them.

PhilL · Aug 2, 2006

http://www.download-it-free.com/limewire/

=Voodoo= · Aug 3, 2006

gomusic.ru might be a cheaper alternative. its a russian site but know over 20 people who have been using it w/out problems over last 2 years... used to be mp3search.ru

in russia its legal, havent been following the riaa deal. but you do pay for what you download(8 cents song) allows 50 bucks to go a long way

maximus otter · Aug 3, 2006

Another vote for LimeWire.

Whatever you use, ensure that your AV, firewall and cleaner programs are bang up to date.

maximus otter

rebeltf · Aug 3, 2006

Limewire , Soulseek. Do what Maximus Otter said.

I used that Russian site last summer but , it was sort of complicated to use so I moved on plus it had limited bands in my favorite genres.
Napster is perfectly legal but from what I read the files you download have limitations on them so IMO whats the point , your merely renting music , not buying it.
I'm not famaliar with the other services but if I could not d/l actual MP3's and keep them forever , I wouldnt use the service.

Rick in KY · Aug 4, 2006

Thanks for the advice.

My understanding is that the music industry is suing those who download property from the P2P (peer to peer) formats, of which limewire appears to be.

Those using limewire, do you have any concerns regarding legalities?

PhilL · Aug 4, 2006

rebeltf · Aug 4, 2006

Rick in KY said:
Thanks for the advice.

My understanding is that the music industry is suing those who download property from the P2P (peer to peer) formats, of which limewire appears to be.

Those using limewire, do you have any concerns regarding legalities?

The chances of getting caught are slim , they mostly go after people who are easily detected and sharing a LOT of music/movies/etc.
Firewalls and proggies such a Peer Guardian http://phoenixlabs.org/ make you about 95% bulletproof.

If you decide to use a program like Soulseek , Limewire etc make sure it is the real thing first , and use caution. The best program to use and learn how to use IMO is bit-torrent , there are many different torrent programs available , http://azureus.sourceforge.net/ this one bing one of the best , it is however a bit more complicated to use (thus that much more "safe")

Now to cover my butt and BF's , I am not advocating the use of any programs which aid in the obtainment of shared music/etc. , as far as "legality" that is a much argued debate that will probably continue forever.

Have fun , be safe.

Ed Gordon · Aug 4, 2006

Napster is pretty good and will allow you to download and play selections with a monthly fee. If you try to burn them it will not allow it until you pay for the track. It keeps track of the music you purchase so you pay only once per song. I use it and it allows a second computer so my kids use it too...Ed.