Contents of typical DRM/WMA download service?

I've never used a paid-download music service and likely never will...not because I wouldn't mind trying it once sometime, but because I don't use Windoze and my only Mac is several years out-of-date.

In fighting the clutches of the RIAA, though, it occurred to me that it would be helpful to know exactly what mix of music these services offer...like the new Napster. It's a given that they serve rock music from the Beatles (though not necessarily the Beatles) to the present, including the pop, alternative, hip-hop, dance, metal, etc. music that students will likely want. But what about 50's rock and roll, country and western, jazz, blues, new age, classical, vocal, soundtrack, etc? Do these services really offer a wide mix of songs, or do they cater to only a small segment of the music-buying public?

Anybody care to offer insights?

Todd

Hehe, just think it's ironic that the example you use is a group that won't allow any legal services to distribute their recordings .


Anyway I'm not a big fan of most music these days so I doubt they would offer anything for me - good stuff, like Joe Grushecky (see sig) isn't on any P2P networks. I really don't think they offer much above and beyond mainstream, but I haven't used any of them and not interested in doing so.

Hehe. I mention them purely for their historical significance.

Nobody else? C'mon, I know at least a few of you have tried one of the commercial services. You can admit it...nobody will stone you.

As an aside, I was surprised yesterday to find a new commercial music download service that basically just sells mp3's through a web site...http://www.audiolunchbox.com . They deal in indie artists, but since I do actually recognize some names, I guess they're aiming a bit higher than some other sites. Their technology certainly aims higher...no WMA, DRM, or proprietary clients. What a "breakthrough"!

Todd

So far I've tried PressPlay(don't bother),iTunes (cool,but old school
selection sux),and the new Napster(haven't really investigated yet,but thus far,I haven't been able to find too much)
The prices on all services I've tried is $0.99,which is less than a 45....
The difference between all I've mentioned is that the first on has DRM files,that
are for all intents,and purposes are stuck on your computer.With Itunes,and Napster you can burn/transfer to other devices,but
being an old school r/b guy,the selection they say they have is vast,but after looking up some choice nuggets,I'd say it's vastly inadequate. They have GOT to know ,that if these services are going to survive,they MUST OFFER the cat's
paws,teeth,and his ass,cause if a subscirber has to get failures after looking for his/her favorite tunes,he/she's just gonna
get discouraged and go (back) to the illegal sites......Good Luck..

Okay, thanks for the insights. Pretty much what I guessed.

Since you mention iTunes, I read something interesting about that service the other day when I was accumulating info on the Penn State/Napster deal. It was news to people on that web board, so maybe it's news here, too? Apparently the only DRM for iTunes songs occurs on the computer. When you transfer songs to an iPod, it apparently doesn't take a genuis to find a way to transfer them off again...and then they're as DRM-free as mp3's. Apple's AAC audio format is open-source, too. Some non-iPod portable mp3 players support it, and maybe even some non-iTunes software players, but it hasn't quite caught on yet, maybe because Apple's keeping tight-lipped.

Todd