OK, so I'm trying Napster out for a one week free trail. After that it's $9.95 a month. I downloaded probably close to 60 songs for free... they do have some that cost .99 but I didn't purchase those. So for $9..95 I can download unlimited tracks, it's legal... what's the catch? How do they do this? I'm starting to not see much point in buying CD's anymore unless it's something I really want.
Check the fine print and check the format of the songs.
You might have purchased songs that have DRM, meaning you're limited in what player you can play them in or how many times you can copy them.
You might only be able to use them as long as you pay Napster.
If you have an iPod, Napster songs are not playable. I guess the iPod and Napster use incompatible file formats. However, it is possible to still transfer the songs to an iPod- it's just a pain in the ass. http://www.mac-headz.com/?p=15
just use emule/bittorrent...it's free
As others explained, the unlimited number of songs that you can download can only be played on a Napster compatible mp3 player. The songs you pay .99 for you have a little more control over--you can burn them to CDs and the like. But I still don't think you could play them on an Ipod or non-Napster compatible mp3 player.
I like Napster well enough. It has a decent blend of old and new songs, some other nice features, always seems to work, is legal, and is reasonably cheap, especially if you almost never pay the buck-a-song download fee. I'm hardly the most cutting-edge or demanding music listener, though.
If you buy a song you can burn it to CD, then like any other CD you can load it into Itunes then use with an Ipod. A convoluted process though admittedly.
Itunes is hardly the most open to letting you use other MP3 players though!
In the UK (presume its the same in the US) there is one subscription level that lets you download any music you want to your PC, and a higher level monthly charge that means you can download to your PC and to an MP3 player - the songs also play fine in Windows media player so you just need a 'plays for sure' compatible device - which is most of the mainstream brands (Samsung, Creative etc) except Sony and Ipods.
Obvious the incentive from Napster is that you have to keep paying your monthly charge so you keep the rights to play the songs on your PC / MP3 - if you cancel you'll lose that right. I guess you could look at it as a long term leasing deal for the songs. I work on the principle that its cheaper than 2 CDs a month which is probably what I used to buy anyway. Plus you can listen to stuff for a while than get rid if you go off it, or try it out without paying £10 for a CD.
As with any service its horses for courses!
Emma Coburn to miss Olympic Trials after breaking ankle in Suzhou
Jakob on Oly 1500- “Walk in the park if I don’t get injured or sick”
VALBY has graduated (w/ honors) from Florida, will she go to grad school??
NY Times: Treadmill desks might really be worth it. Does anyone use one?
2024 College Track & Field Open Coaching Positions Discussion