Which site is the best, the safest and legal that my kids can download
music.  They currently have used Kaaza but I understand this FREE site
is also illegal.
I see many pay per tune sites like imusic, mp3grandcentral,
realone.com and many others.  Need a recommendation for safe, and
legal alternative

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Request for Question Clarification by mvguy-ga on 29 Oct 2003 06:40 PST

Do they want to listen to music or download it to play back later? Do
they want the latest hits, or do they want to listen to something more
eclectic? What genre do they like? The answer will depend on exactly
what you hope to get from the downloading.  Thanks!

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Clarification of Question by hawkeyejim-ga on 29 Oct 2003 09:05 PST

They want to both listen to and download for playback later and also
to burn unto a CD.  They are typical teenagers who listen rock,
country, rap, latest hits and yes, even electric.   Thank you, eager
to hear your reply

---

Request for Question Clarification by supermacman-ga on 06 Nov 2003 20:46 PST

Hello hawkeyejim-ga:

I am prepared to submit an answer (because mvguy-ga) has not responded
to your clarification. However, I need to pose a few quick questions
first:

1) What operating system is your computer running?
2) Are you prepared to download new software (Windows Media Player 9,
QuickTime 6.4, iTunes, etc.) for the pay music service to work?
3) Do you live in the United States?
4) Do you have a credit card to pay for the music with?

Thanks. I will provide a summary of music services available (and a
evaluation) after your response.

- supermacman-ga

---

Clarification of Question by hawkeyejim-ga on 07 Nov 2003 04:27 PST

My operating system is Windows XP
Yes I am willing to load new software
I live in the USA
I have a credit card to make music purchases.

Thank you

Hello hawkeyejim-ga:

As you probably understand, recommending a "best" service requires a
subjective evaluation of all the online music services out there. I
have compiled a list of such reviews for your consideration - you may
find them at the end of this answer.

There are several mainstream, legal, and safe online music service
providers, which I list here for you.
BuyMusic.com - http://www.buymusic.com/
Napster 2.0 - http://www.napster.com/
Rhapsody (Listen.com) - http://www.listen.com/
iTunes Music Store - http://www.apple.com/itunes/
MusicMatch - http://www.musicmatch.com/

Of note is the success of Apple's iTunes Music Store (which is
available to Windows PCs too). Apple announced yesterday (Nov. 6) that
iTunes outsells Napster 5 times over, and the press release is here:
http://www.apple.com/pr/library/2003/nov/06itunes.html
... but there is some controversy over this point. If you are
interested, you can read more:
http://www.forbes.com/technology/newswire/2003/11/07/rtr1140789.html

I've examined the reviews, and most of the services are competent,
flexible, and economical.

The iTunes Music Store offers the great flexibility, offering
3-computer music transfer, unlimited song burning (but the number of
times a playlist can be burned unchanged is ten times). The iTunes
Music Store also lets you set up allowance accounts for your children,
so they can spend a set number of dollars on your credit card without
actually giving them the credit card. iTunes is also a music jukebox
program.
For more information: http://www.apple.com/itunes/store/
iTunes requires Windows XP and the loading of new software (iTunes
4.1.1 and QuickTime)

BuyMusic.com is widely seen to be an iTunes ripoff. It has
inconsistent  pricing, restrictions on computer-to-computer music
transfer, but fast downloads and a web-based interface. Consider this
service.
For more information: http://www.buymusic.com/

MusicMatch is a jukebox program, which, like iTunes, also offers music
downloads. The website states that you can transfer the music to 3
different computers, burn audio CDs, and transfer music to portable
music players that support secure Windows Media. Again, consider this
service. MusicMatch requires a download.
For more information: http://www.musicmatch.com/

Listen.com's Rhapsody service is unlike the others in that burning CDs
requires a per-track fee. The music is also streamed, as opposed to
the above services where it is downloaded to your hard drive. This may
not satisfy your requirements, but Rhapsody offers a "free trial"
where you can evaluate the service before you subscribe. A
subscription offers unlimited listening, but no free burning.
For more information: http://www.listen.com/

Finally, Napster 2.0 is a relaunch of the previously illegal and
infamous Napster. This new service offers track downloading on a
pay-per-track basis or streaming for a monthly subscription.
For more information: http://www.napster.com/

One thing you must note is that for subscription-based services, the
music that you download or listen disappears after you terminate your
subscription. With download-based services, music that you download is
yours forever. However, subscription-services usually offer unlimited
listening, while download-services require per-track payment.

Below is a compilation of links to reviews. I don't think you should
read them all, but glance over them.
----------

PCMagazine - BuyMusic.com review
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,1329447,00.asp
Conclusions: "BuyMusic is perfect for those who don't need to burn
unlimited CDs, seek hard-to-find music from independent labels, or
want to save a little money on music."
Rating: 4/5

BuyMusic.com review - "not perfect but has bargains"
http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews/business/6425466.htm

ZDNet - BuyMusic
http://reviews-zdnet.com.com/BuyMusic/4505-3514_16-30468937.html?tag=pdtl-list
Conclusions: "This Windows-friendly iTunes imitator can't match the
simplicity of the original."

PC Magazine - MusicMatch review
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,1366361,00.asp
Rating: 3/5

PC User Whistles a Happy iTunes
http://www.wired.com/news/digiwood/0,1412,60870,00.html

PCWorld - Apple's iTunes Music Store is a Winner
http://www.pcworld.com/reviews/article/0,aid,110991,00.asp
N.B. This older article is now inaccurate in stating that there is no
Windows version.

PCMagazine - Apple iTunes Music Store Review
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,1366343,00.asp
Editor rating: 4/5

ZDNet - Apple iTunes Music Store
http://reviews-zdnet.com.com/Apple_iTunes_Music_Store/4505-3514_16-21220230.html
Conclusions: 8.6/10 "Very Good" rating; Editors' Choice

Listen.com Rhapsody 2.0
http://reviews.cnet.com/Listen_com_Rhapsody_2_0/4505-3514_7-20050753.html?tag=dir
http://reviews-zdnet.com.com/Listen_com_Rhapsody_2_0/4505-3514_16-20050753.html?tag=pdtl-list
(same review)
Conclusions: "Intuitive interface, rich biographical information,
constraining price plans."

PCMagazine - Napster 2.0 Review
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,4149,1366383,00.asp
Editor Rating: 4/5

Napster 2.0 Makes Tracks
http://news.designtechnica.com/article1783.html

BuyMusic.com to Compete with Apple iTunes, Real Networks, But Is it Up To Par?
http://www.audiorevolution.com/news/0703/23.buymusic.shtml
N.B. This older article refers to iTunes being available for Macs
only; this is no longer true.

----------
In terms of "safe" music services, all of the above listed services
encrypt credit card information. It is near impossible for a hacker to
steal your credit card when you purchase music online.

My recommendation is for you to try the services that I have listed
here, and stick with the one that you like the best. I think you
should try Apple's iTunes first, as it offers a convenient Allowance
feature for your kids.

I hope you find all this information useful! Let me know if you have
further inquiries about this matter.

- supermacman-ga


Search strategy

Each of the music stores' respective sites
searched Google for "[name of music store] review" (i.e. Rhapsody review)

---

Clarification of Answer by supermacman-ga on 10 Nov 2003 14:24 PST

Hot off the press:
http://www.bayarea.com/mld/cctimes/business/7220450.htm

Here is a review of Napster 2.0 with respect to iTunes Music Store.
The first sentence:
"Napster 2.0, the legitimate reincarnation of the outlaw music service
shut down by the recording industry two years ago, tries to do so many
things at once that it doesn't quite succeed at any of them."

The article then goes on a review of Napster's features - it's not a
critique, but a review.

Hope this helps you make your decision about online music retailers.

- supermacman-ga

---

Clarification of Answer by supermacman-ga on 10 Nov 2003 14:28 PST

I'm just surfing on the web and finding links about the iTunes Music
Store. Here, TIME Magazine includes the Apple Music Store under their
list of Coolest Inventions in 2003.

http://www.time.com/time/2003/inventions/invmusic.html

Mind you, "coolest" does not mean "best", but this is something to
consider in your purchasing decisions.

I appreciate the very thorough answer.  I have not had time to
completely review all the resources and sites given but can tell a lot
of time was spent on this answer... Thank you very mush

How much do you know about computers?  Do you know what "cut & paste"
means?  The copyright laws are very complicated and I do not claim to
be any type of "legal expert."  It is not only illegal to download
copyrighted music, but any "digital content" which has been
copyrighted. For instance, it is illegal for anyone to "copy & paste"
any copyrighted information without consent from the author.

For instance, I cannot legally copy the "web page" you are now viewing
and send it to you because of copyright laws.  Notice the tiny
copyright symbol at the bottom of most every web page.  However, my
older relatives(60 and over - i'm 38) send me "copy & pasted"
information all the time.  Software companies have an impossible task.
 If your children really know what their doing, they will circumvent
copyright laws by finding other ways to transmit song files. I could
explain how but it is "complicated & time consuming."

The problem with "buying" digital content is that unless you back up
your system on a regular basis, sooner or later all of this content
will be lost when your computer fails unless you "burn" songs to an
analog tape.  Why not a cd you ask?  Because a cd is digital content. 
I can point you to many sights about digital copyright law, but it
really only makes "people who want to be legal" beat their brains out
- ha!

If you really want to be "legal,"  I would suggest that you buy
everything they want to "keep forever" only on cd's or dvd's or
sacd's(super audio compact disc's).  Then for "internet" music,
subscribe to a major media company. Most of these are controlled by
Microsoft, Real Networks, Yahoo, Apple, etc.  Notice that all of these
names are trademarked and I may be violating the law by mentioning
their names here - like I said, I'm not a lawyer.

Personally I would not pay for a "purchase by song" company because
their copyright schemes may not always work far into the future.  I
would subscribe to a "streaming" service, but this is only feasible if
you have a reliable "broadband" connection.

This site is good for downloading music:

http://www.coolSoundtracks.com

The Big Daddy of all music download sites is up and running again:

Napster
http://www.napster.com

All your parameters are covered, they have agreements with the
Recording Industry, songs cost a buck a piece and $10 for a CD.

If you purchase songs from Napster, they are yours and if something
happens to your hard drive, they know you have purchased it and you
may take it again.

Read the TOS carefully.

I use it myself, it's wonderful.