Submit your opinions. Also I would like to hear why you vote a cetain way. Don't just vote, explain it if you can. Personally I want it legal because, although I know it is wrong and it is stealing, it still benifits me and that's all I care about at the moment.
I agree. I personally have no problem with downloading as long as it's for sampling purposes. By sampling, I mean 3 or so songs from the album, but no more; Not to mention the alternatives. You don't have to download a full album to know what it's like, either. The e-card for Project 86's STBYBB had about half the songs on it, and Pillar's new one had clips from every song on it. I wish people would notice these alternatives.
I do that, Cameron. I just download a few songs from an album to get a general idea of how that particular album will sound. Then I go out and buy it. In my opinion, I don't think it should be legal. If the artists take the time to write and record those songs then why take away their sales from a click of a few buttons? If I was a musician, I would want the public to purchase my music, rather than stealing it over the internet. I mainly buy my music so I definitely do support the artists out there. I do download but I mostly download music from musicians who aren't around anymore.
I agree. I personally have no problem with downloading as long as it's for sampling purposes. By sampling, I mean 3 or so songs from the album, but no more; Not to mention the alternatives. You don't have to download a full album to know what it's like, either. The e-card for Project 86's STBYBB had about half the songs on it, and Pillar's new one had clips from every song on it. I wish people would notice these alternatives. [/b][/quote] Okay, I have an argument about that. They say "Oh, yeah, this is an alternative" but listening to streaming audio on a 56k modem sucks ass. MAJORLY. Everynow and then, you'll get a good feed, but most of the time, it sucks. Video is even worse. So don't go preachin' about "alternatives" to me. Using Windows Media Player, it can take me 10 minutes to hear a 5 minute track. Real Player is better, but not great. I have a downloading morals, though: If I can buy it, buy it. If it's Parental Advisory, I d/load it. If it's hard to find in my area, I download it. Other than that, I buy CDs. I like the liner notes and all that jazz. But I'm 14, my income is $250- a year (allowance). That's 20 bucks a month, usually. And I don't go to the mall but once every 6 months, and I won't drop more than $25 bucks on music at a time, so I usually get one (sometimes 2) CD's in 6 months. That's not enough music for me. I won't d/load a whole album, usually. Just my favorite songs.
Oops, I forgot that such things as '56k modems' existed. I forgot to mention another alternative, as well; friends, but they are only useful if they have the CD you're looking at. As for the money issue, I would tell you to go get a job, but at 14, I doubt that there will be many places that will hire you.
I can't wait for 5 years from now, when 56k dies. If you feel it's your duty to continue not supporting artists deserving of your money just because of the fact that you have a crappy connection, that's not how it should work. If an artist makes a good cd, you should support the artist and buy the music. I'm not saying that you should buy everything you download, but the artists that make the great cds are deserving of your money, right? Whenever I need money, I offer help to my family or neighbours, such as lawn-mowing in the summer, or snow-shoveling in the winter. Clean out the van, vacuum the entire house, run to the grocery store, help with supper, there's lots of potential money-making opportunities. Even when I can't find a cd in town, I buy it over the net.
I always disagree with people about downloading. However, though I agree you should buy artist's albums, I still believe downloading should be legal. I have a big issue with money right now and a lot of stores here are ripping people off with their prices. CDs cost about $15 to $17 and I don't have the money to where I could you know, buy the CDs I want. I would do what Mark does, you know, mow lawns and stuff, but I live in the middle of a city. There isn't much you can do unless you're you know, an executive or something, and it's hard to find jobs in general here. However, I download albums, yes, but if I like it, I put it on the list of albums I want to get (I still haven't been able to buy Evanescence's "Fallen" ). Yeah, streaming would be great, but only if it's in flash because my computer can't stream WMP stuff for some reason and, yeah, so it leaves me with little alternatives. I considered getting a job, but it's almost impossible to make money these days when what I am doing now for money is moving so slow, lol. I can't even buy them off the internet because one, my parents don't like me buying stuff with their credit cards, and two, they usually use it for groceries and stuff. So I really don't have many alternatives. No one around me really likes rock music or what I really am interested music-wise, so I have to rely on file transferring to hear a band's sound, yeah I could listen to samplers, but it's not the same because sometimes they sample the only good songs on the album and the rest is crap (I've downloaded some albums like that before). MTV's leak is a good alternative, but there are many things wrong with that... For the most part, MTV always look for what will make them money, so they won't play bands who aren't well known and the other problem is it's streaming and even though I'm on a cable connection, I still have problems streaming that crap, but MTV's leak is going in the right direction, it's just that it's made for really good connections/computers. So hey, tell me I'm wrong, but you know, I don't have many options and music is one of the best things in the world to me, and I can't just sit around listening to music back in the Napster days, can I? It's just hard for me to get anywhere when CD prices (I don't know about everywhere else) are so damn high. If I'm spending $15-$17 on a CD, I want a shirt to come with that or something. Music is important but not when it's costing me an arm and a leg. I wish albums costed around $10-$12 dollars. Two dollars may not seem like a lot to most people, but hey, with those two dollars, you could buy yourself lunch, too . Oh, and before you tell me I'm wrong, listen to this: There's a place here in Oahu called "Jelly's" and they have a policy on music. If you buy a CD from them, burn it and return it a few days after you bought it, you get $4-$5 back. They're under controversy right now, but that's the stores policy. I find myself being lured to that because their CDs are so cheap, but yes, that is a screwed up ordeal, but hey, you know, even though musicians put passion into their stuff, I, as an artist, would be happy just to see my fans enjoying my work. It shouldn't be about the money, even though that's why most get into the biz and try to pry money out of any opportunity they can... But I guess that's what makes me different from most/other people.
VERY good point. CD's ARE priced too high. It's a good thing that if you go around bargain-hunting (through websites, pre-orders, and various different stores), you can usually find something at a reasonable price. The local HMV buys cd's through Amzon when you ask them to and imports them in, and they don't even bill you for the S&H! Great deal.
I've noticed recently that the prices of cds have dropped from $14.99 and over down to $10. Not a big deal, but better neverthless. I bought both of John Mayer's albums for under $20. Wal-Mart seems to have the best prices on everything
I agree with the whole sample thing. because i'm not gonna listen to a 30 second clip and decide to buy that album for 15$ no way.
Sort of. It's legal to download, but it isn't legal to upload. One can't exist without the other, to technically, it's illegal.
Yeah, can you believe there are no bargain bins in stores around here? The only bargain items are old stuff from like, the 90's... ...
Yeah, can you believe there are no bargain bins in stores around here? The only bargain items are old stuff from like, the 90's... ... [/b][/quote] Well, at least you'll be able to buy all the music you want now in ten years at reduced prices!
I think it should be illegal. I do download, but mostly to sample and when I dont have money. I like Microsoft's idea of 'renting music', but I wouldnt pay for that.. I think there should be a program set up where you can listen to an album for a short period of time, just to sample. The leak on MTV.com was effective. It made me want to buy P.O.D's album, and I did. I think it should be illegal because it sickens me to see people on the street selling copied cd's in bulk for $5 or less. Thats not cool. I also hate how some people say "Those artists have millions..". Thats true, in a sense. Artists who have been around for a long time have millions, but the new ones dont. They dont even see a dime from their record sales until they sell at least 500,000, and in some contracts, its double. Plus they have expenses, everything they have done for them is usually paid out of their own pocket, except in special sitiations like someone giving free merch in stores and gift baskets at award shows and special apperances. I also agree that CD prices are too high. $17.99 for a CD dosent exactly make me think twice before I download. And some of these online music stores dont even sell Mp3's, they have their own special encoding thingys. Thats unfair because you pay for something that has limits. This is a whole new era in music distribution, everyone has their own ideas, I think companies need to collaborate and come up with something effective. Thats my 99 cents.