Napster-Is is worth it?

[Isaac]

Napster. The very word seems to bring trouble with it lately. Many onlines ventures seem to be exploring the world of media, but what I want to know is, it worth it?

All the court battles, all the heat, so much trouble, but is there reason for it. Are these media giants mis-using technology?

What do you think?



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Isaac
123Webmaster (http://www.123webmaster.com)
Big Resources Network
isaac@123webmaster.net
ICQ# 71401549

[Jacob]

Well we all know that the monstor is out of the cage. With transfer software such as scour, gnutella, and whatever else is coming out these days. Specifically designed and setup so they can't get sued (user to user), instead of what napster did (they didn't consult a lawyer before starting! - which was: user - server - user, making them liable)

If you take a step back from the whole thing, and realize what's actually going on, it's clearly wrong whats going on! But this day in age, anyone will do anything to try and make a few $$$, especially if it's technically not "illegal".

Artists Make Music -> Artists Pay to Record Music -> Artists Sell Music -> One Person Buys Music -> Person Rips Music -> Person Has Napster -> Everyone has Artists Music (for free!) -> Artists doesn't make any money - > Artist Stops making music -> hmm....

My $.02




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Jacob A. Wheeler
Co-Founder / Web Engineer
Big Resources Network
jacob@bigresources.com
ICQ: 390147 (http://www.icq.com/390147)

[Jason]

Has anyone followed the napster since they were ordered to disband? Is the fight still raging, or has the decision been upheld?

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Jason M. DesRoches
Co-Founder / Business Development
Big Resources Network
jason@123webmaster.com
ICQ: 17947522

[Fairy]

I haven't been following closely whats happening, but napster are asking members to log on to the server and run the program even when not actively downloading, to show 'support' from the fans! As far as I can tell they are not abiding by the decision and are still fighting on. i agree whole-heartedly with the $.02 worth stated above! :)

[-pulsar]

Isaac,

It has been proven that a certain degree of piracy is good for business. Way back when Nike created their "swoosh" sign and put them on hats some company went by and copied their exact idea... with the same sign... Nike knew about this... and what did they do about it?? nothing... it tured out the pirated hats promoted their company and look where they are now. True story!

The RIAA is complaining artists are loosing money but if you look at the stats, record sales have been the largest in 10 years. The RIAA in my opinion won't admit it but deep down they know Napster is a major result of these sales!

[Kaz]

I'm guilty. I use Napster all of the time. *blush* Is it wrong? Yes. Could it have been harnessed and used as a tool by the music industry? Yes.

Anywhay, I do still buy cd's. Quality can be an issue when using Napster and having your transfer cut-off by other users when you try to download music from them is fairly common and annoying (you know who you are, hehe).

The RIAA has been caught with their pants down and is scrambling for any breahter they can get. The technology is out there and people are hungry for it.

[whkoh]

I also use Napster from time-to-time. Even if it's shut down (its now merged with BMG, and may charge users for downloading songs), the MP3 craze won't die. There are thousands of MP3 sites around the net. I don't think RIAA can do anything about it. I think RIAA'll just have to accept it, and learn to live along with it.

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Koh Wei Han
Network Engineer
Contact: whkoh@apexmail.com , whkoh@mailandnews.com , whkoh@020.co.uk

[Guest]

Hey people !

Napster updated its software.

http://www.napster.com/win/download/

It has a takeout option like the ones in search engines.
e.g. videos-games+horror
meaning:looking for horror videos, but not games.

[origamij]

I use Napster regularly! Is it wrong, No Way! I have spent an ungodly amount of money buying music because I heard one song on the radio and thought the rest of the album would be like that. Never again! Now I can review all of the songs and make an informed decision about whether or not I want to pay $15 for one good song and 13 crap ones.
And is it really any different than having your friend make a tape of his favorite cd for you???