Would you pay for Napster?

[Ask For More]

Was talking about this with Todd yesterday....

Apparently Napster are working on a pricing plan which would entail $3-5 a month for limited use and $8-10 per month for unlimited use. Would you pay that much?

I was doing some sums in my head yesterday....napster has well over 50 million users now, so let's say napster charges $1 a month for unlimited use. Say around half these people don't mind paying, so that's easily $25million dollars a month equating to $300million a year turnover. Now here's the killer, Napster has no operating costs, no overheads, no liabilities and no running costs! So that's $300million a year PURE PROFIT that they could make.

The burning issue however is what will happen with the money? With $300million a year extra they could easily lower the prices of cd's and so forth, and give more money to the artists, but that seems pretty unlikely!

Any thoughts?

 

[Ally C]

I'm a square and don't know much about Napster. But the figures are nice and round though.

 

[Ambrosious]

You know, I got a newsreader last night that "sews" together the little pieces of songs that are posted in newsgroups. It is so much easier than downloading the pieces then sewing them together yourself (which requires a LOT of work).

I was able to download 14 ALBUMS, COMPLETE ALBUMS last night, with NO problem.

So, no, I'm not paying them. The only thing is, you take what's there, or you request it and come back two days later after someone has uploaded your request.

Pretty cool really.

 

[Cheri]

Sure I'd pay $8 a month for unlimited downloads, but they better be from Napster itself because I'm not paying those kind of prices for half complete songs that end up stopping before they're even completely downloaded. If this guarantees I'm getting a good quality complete song, sure I'll pay.

Besides don't you think Napster will have to pay big bucks in royalty for any song downloaded?

 

[Cheyenne]

No. I never used it while it was free, I certainly wouldn't pay for it.

I get my cd's the old-fashioned way. I buy them.

 

[Ask For More]

If Napster became integrated with record companies then royalties wouldn't necessarily have to be paid out...

If they want to make their music reach a global audience it really is the best way to do it...

Ambro which newsgroup is this?
gimme gimme gimme! ;op

 

[Ambrosious]

Ask For More

I'll mail you the names of the groups I go to and the news agent I use now. Used to use Outlook, but this one is 1000 times better. No more patching songs together.

 

[KillerMuffin]

No, I wouldn't pay a dime for the current napster service. Nothing quite like having 93% of a long song downloaded then having the guy on the other end shuttind down his computer. That and people like me who, ah, creatively retitle their mp3s. I'm sure there were some happy Eminem fans when they got Anthrax's Potter's Field instead of the real slim shady. Heh.

The music would have to be on their server, like she said.

Napster has overhead, so far they've been paying for it only gawd and napster knows how. They'll also have to pay for the music that moves through their system. It's called royalties. They'll still make millions if everyone stays with them. They'll make tons more than if the artists had just left them alone, but then again, the artists do deserve compensation.

I don't want the BMG limited library though, I want access to music on other labels too.

 

[jd33]

one for killer muffin and an alternative to napster

in regards to the comment about people shutting down their computers when you are downloading. i hope you do not assume that all errors are the fault of others...i have had napster users actually send me threatening instant messages when a error occurs, telling me I am a dick for going offline..problem is, I never did...so accidents happen...also, if you have a slow ass connection (less than cable) it takes about an hour to download one song. You cannot expect someone to sit and wait an hour for you to download at 2kps. SO, please don't think I am attacking what you said, simply offering comments especially about not assuming people are logging off..if you have a fast connection than it is inconsiderate, but if you don't have a fast connection then it is equally inconsiderate of you to even be on Napster as the extra (slow connection) volume, slows down the whole system....If you have a fast connection and people are logging off they are assholes, but generally it is a computer transfer error that causes problems, not someone logging off,,,but you are also relying on people to be considerate of one another, which is apparently far too much effort for most.
I know this also may sound dumb, but how does Napster really expect to block certain songs? all people have to do is alter the file name.
No way will I ever pay for Napster, not with alternate Mp3 downloaders like Comtry and Abe's and real downloader. May take a bit more time, but I go to the shows, I don't need to buy the albums especially after all the crying these rich record weasals/musicians have done.They do not deserve our money.

 

[April]

Re: one for killer muffin and an alternative to napster

in regards to the comment about people shutting down their computers when you are downloading. i hope you do not assume that all errors are the fault of others...i have had napster users actually send me threatening instant messages when a error occurs, telling me I am a dick for going offline..problem is, I never did...so accidents happen...
Most of the transfer errors I get are due to connection slowdowns. However, some of them are because of people logging off. And, yes, I check to see if they logged off. I really hate it when they do it when I only have a minute or two left.

also, if you have a slow ass connection (less than cable) it takes about an hour to download one song.
It takes me about 20 minutes to download one song, taking into account connection slowdowns.

if you don't have a fast connection then it is equally inconsiderate of you to even be on Napster as the extra (slow connection) volume, slows down the whole system
Well hell! Me and my inconsiderate 56k modem humbly apologize for annoying you so much!! Geeze! I didn't know I was such a burden!

 

[DarkAngel]

Napster bad...... But man is the money goin gto be gooooodd

 

[Wizard]

Hey Ambro, If you get a sec could you pass that address over this way please............I would love to check it out also.......Sounds good to me....

 

[bluntforcemama]

YES!

Yes, I'd pay, I love Napster, I can find things that no one's heard of like Leonard Cohen!

 

[tongueman]

You people are all so funny...

You think Leaonard Cohen is obscure...FYI...he is one of the most successful Canadian artist ever...before you make fun of Canadian artists keep in mind that (as much as it pains me to admit it) Shania Twain, Alanis Morissette, Bryan Adams, And Barenaked Ladies (at least they are good) are all Canadian and have sold in excess of 100 million albums in the last couple years..check it out if you don't believe me. Obscure music is say Burt Reynolds, Telly Savalas and Leonard Nimoy, Jim Schoenfeld (yup the hockey player). Huge difference between those folks and ROCK and ROLL HALL OF FAME MEMBER, Leonard Cohen..sorry to jump on you with the calrification Myst, but at the same time an ignorant comment like that deserves it wholeheartedly.
Also, further to April's ridiculous comment about her modem. You can't very well expect people with wicked fast connectins to stay oline for your conveniece. Maybe you should upgrade to a faster connection as it is a huge burden. If I experince a napster error, I shrug and say oh well. I do not blame the other user. If someone wants to log off, who cares, there are two million people with conncetions as slow as yours that will be compelled to stay online....bottom line do not download off someone and then get mad...maybe you should ask permission....pay fo rnapster...NEVER...too many free alternatives! Why is everyone freaking out about it?

 

[Iris]

Two words for you. "no" and "Scour".

 

[April]

Re: You people are all so funny...

Also, further to April's ridiculous comment about her modem.
What?

You can't very well expect people with wicked fast connectins to stay oline for your conveniece.
I never said I did.

Maybe you should upgrade to a faster connection as it is a huge burden.
I don't even know what to say to such a rude and inconsiderate creature! I have just as much right to use Napster as anybody else. So piss off!

If I experince a napster error, I shrug and say oh well. I do not blame the other user. If someone wants to log off, who cares, there are two million people with conncetions as slow as yours that will be compelled to stay online....bottom line do not download off someone and then get mad...maybe you should ask permission....

I'm thinking that you should really read my post again. You're making unfounded allegations and giving off an elitist attitude. According to you, anybody with a 56k modem or less, has no right to use Napster. Get your head out of your ass and come back to reality. Have a nice fucking day! Oh, btw, your bad spelling is a burden to me. Fix it.

 

[Todd]

Re: Re: You people are all so funny...

Also, further to April's ridiculous comment about her modem.
What?

You can't very well expect people with wicked fast connectins to stay oline for your conveniece.
I never said I did.

Maybe you should upgrade to a faster connection as it is a huge burden.
I don't even know what to say to such a rude and inconsiderate creature! I have just as much right to use Napster as anybody else. So piss off!

If I experince a napster error, I shrug and say oh well. I do not blame the other user. If someone wants to log off, who cares, there are two million people with conncetions as slow as yours that will be compelled to stay online....bottom line do not download off someone and then get mad...maybe you should ask permission....

I'm thinking that you should really read my post again. You're making unfounded allegations and giving off an elitist attitude. According to you, anybody with a 56k modem or less, has no right to use Napster. Get your head out of your ass and come back to reality. Have a nice fucking day! Oh, btw, your bad spelling is a burden to me. Fix it.

ditto

 

[tongueman]

hey todd...

I am sorry that my spelling is burdensome to you...ignorance and a lack of knowledge about a given subject annoys me. My point is this, seeing as you have such trouble deciphering meaning...why don't you spend some of the thousands of dollars napster saves you and get a fast connection. BTW..I never used napster with my 56K modem because it is pointless and slow. I hold people to the same standard that I hold myself to..if you cannot accept that than fantastic, we won't be friends. I won't slum for people just for niceties sake. Oh, and you responded to questions and comments directed at a particular person (April). SO, before you criticize someone's spelling and call me an elitist, you may want to brush up on your reading skills champ! There is a certain level of intelligence you must maintain to be friends with me and you can call it elitist or waht have you, but hey, you know what, like Bobby Brown said.."it's my perrogative" Having you, Todd, agree with me will neither enhance or lessen the value of my time (which evidently is why I could care less if you found spelling mistakes (typos)...may I suggest a hobby..one other than nit-picking. I hope you had as much fun responding to my thread as I did to yours..although it was less than inspiring...hey wow, no spelling mistakes...

 

[tongueman]

ditto for April

You and Todd need to mellow out...perhaps you missed/ignored/can't read the part that said I am offering rationale for others behaviour. I never incinuated that you had expectations of users, just making fun of your obvious ignorance in the field of music..the OBSCURE works of Leonard Cohen...thats it...im hate pissing contests and people who make unfounded assumptions. I realize I used multi sylabble words so, please feel free to ask for clarification...oooh that was very elitist...Like I said to Todd, I don't slum or dumb myself down for anyone!

 

[Todd]

Re: hey todd...

I am sorry that my spelling is burdensome to you...ignorance and a lack of knowledge about a given subject annoys me. My point is this, seeing as you have such trouble deciphering meaning...why don't you spend some of the thousands of dollars napster saves you and get a fast connection. BTW..I never used napster with my 56K modem because it is pointless and slow. I hold people to the same standard that I hold myself to..if you cannot accept that than fantastic, we won't be friends. I won't slum for people just for niceties sake. Oh, and you responded to questions and comments directed at a particular person (April). SO, before you criticize someone's spelling and call me an elitist, you may want to brush up on your reading skills champ! There is a certain level of intelligence you must maintain to be friends with me and you can call it elitist or waht have you, but hey, you know what, like Bobby Brown said.."it's my perrogative" Having you, Todd, agree with me will neither enhance or lessen the value of my time (which evidently is why I could care less if you found spelling mistakes (typos)...may I suggest a hobby..one other than nit-picking. I hope you had as much fun responding to my thread as I did to yours..although it was less than inspiring...hey wow, no spelling mistakes...

Ditto: was in reference to the fact that any one under a cable modem, is infereior to you, not your spelling skills, cause frankly mine suck too.

Saving me $1000's: lets see i down one song from a record see if i like it, if i like it I go out and buy it. So far I have bought 18 CD's tof artists I otherwise would never even have heard of, plus about 14 CD's of Artists who I have heard of and didn't think I liked thier music.

oh I can hear you now, but you can listen to the radio and do the same. Becuase the radio around my area is mainstream, if it aint bratney spears , nsynch etc i don't get to hear it and I aint gonna waste 20+$ on a CD to find I do not like it.

Modem Speed. I shouldn't use napster cause I am not a cable modem or higher. I can down load the average 3mb/6 minute song on my 36.6k modem in 20 minutes. My local lines only support a max of a 56.6k modem.

Oh I can hear you now go get Cable modem or DSl or T1 or T3. because of the lines T1 and T3 are out of the picture. Dsl doesn't even exist in my area. and as for cable, I live in Woodstock New Brunswick Canada, Cable monthly hook up cost just to have it, 59$ a month plus a usage fee of 10$ per gb downloaded. versus 9.95$ a month for my unlimited dial up hard decision there.

Sorry for comming off as an arogant son of a bitch, cause well I am, wehn people tell me I am inferior because I am not rich.

Have a nice day

As you can see as I said in the begging, I didn't ditto April because of the spelling, cause mine sucks crap eggs, its the inferiority push you gave that pissed me.

 

[April]

Re: ditto for April

You and Todd need to mellow out...perhaps you missed/ignored/can't read the part that said I am offering rationale for others behaviour.

No, I did not miss it, because it wasn't there.

I never incinuated that you had expectations of users, just making fun of your obvious ignorance in the field of music

Yes, you did.
originally posted by tonguemanYou can't very well expect people with wicked fast connectins to stay oline for your conveniece.

..the OBSCURE works of Leonard Cohen...

Excuse me? I didn't say that, and I highly suggest that you brush up on your reading skills.

thats it...im hate pissing contests and people who make unfounded assumptions.

Do you now?

I realize I used multi sylabble words so, please feel free to ask for clarification...oooh that was very elitist...Like I said to Todd, I don't slum or dumb myself down for anyone!

That's probably a good thing, as you don't seem to have very far to go. Again, have a nice fucking day!

 

[KillerMuffin]

First of all, tongueman, upgrades from 56k are not available in all areas. Elitist. I realize that is lags both ends when you download. Being the considerate person that I was with a 56k, I only dl'ed one song at a time and cancelled it if it dropped below 3.5 kbs. I realize to a speed demon prig like yourself that's probably agonizingly slow. And it is. However, it was all that was available in this area until December 2000. Of course, being the nasty selfish person that you are, I'm sure you don't care.

Anyway, I didn't assume that it was always the person logging off. Most of the time it was. Sometimes it was a bad connection. Sometimes it was just a napster thing. Most of the time it was the other person logging off.

 

[Problem Child]

You have friends?

I am sorry that my spelling is burdensome to you...ignorance and a lack of knowledge about a given subject annoys me..

...I hold people to the same standard that I hold myself to..if you cannot accept that than fantastic, we won't be friends. I won't slum for people just for niceties sake

....There is a certain level of intelligence you must maintain to be friends with me and you can call it elitist or waht have you, but hey, you know what, like Bobby Brown said.."it's my perrogative"

in my best church-lady voice

"My aren't we an snotty, arrogant little fucker, with our incensed buttocks all bunched up?"

 

[April]

LMAO

 

[Ask For More]

Glad to see everyone suitably incensed...

I use a 56k modem for napster but i only download from cable users and above and i don't really get too many problems...

Personally I wouldn't mind paying for napster as it is now, providing the record companies don't takes all the money for themselves.

Ambro could you email me the info if you have time? Thanks!