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iTunes
Music Store - Napster - Musicmatch
Rhapsody - Wal
Mart - BuyMusic - EMusic
 What
does Napster offer?
This is one of the issues with Napster. They offer the most variety of choices,
which makes it the most confusing service to understand and explain. Napster
sells music downloads for $.99 per song or $9.95 per album though album pricing
varies. Napster also has a premium service for $10 per month. The premium service
gives you access to stream their programmed radio stations, build your own radio
stations from artists you select, download songs to your computer, access to
their message boards, and their online music magazine. You are also able to look
at other Napster users playlists to see what other people are listening to or
to find new music.
What is the deal with downloading songs?
The most confusing part of the service is downloading songs. What this means
is that you can download the songs to your computer and listen to them at
your leisure. However, when you cancel your subscription to Napster then
the licenses to those songs will expire. In addition, not every song in the
Napster library is available for download. Some are only available for buy,
so you only get a 30-second preview of the song. It also appeared that some
songs were only available for download, but not for purchase.
How much does it cost?
Napster costs $.99 per song and $9.95 for albums though album pricing varies.
The premium service costs $10 per month.
What rights do I have with the songs?
The songs you buy (not download) you can burn to a CD, transfer to a wma player
and listen to on up to three computers.
What about selection?
Napster has over 500,000 songs in their library.
File Type: Songs bought from Napster were available as protected
.wma files ripped at 128 k.
What I did?
I subscribed to the Premium service and received five free song
purchases. I bought the five songs with my credit. I also downloaded
over a hundred songs to listen to on my computer. I listened to the
streaming stations.
Songs bought from Napster:
Anthrax and Public Enemy – Bring the Noise
Sinead O’Conner – Mandinka
The Wallflowers – One Headlight
Tears for Fears – Break It Down
Wang Chung – Dance Hall Days
General observations: Napster is available as a stand-alone
program, or as a plug-in to Windows Media Player. I used both, but
would suggest either using the WMP plug-in for advanced jukebox functionality
and skinnable interface, or the stand-alone version with Musicmatch
as your jukebox. Napster has gift cards available. Downloading tracks
was a good way to check out new music. You can buy songs without
being part of the Premium Service. Does not show songs on a search
that are not available on the service.
Problems encountered: Needed to contact customer support
to get my five free songs.
Who would choose Napster Premium Service?
Napster is a good program for finding new music by using the radio stations
or by searching other people’s playlists. Someone who wants to jumpstart
their music collection by using the download feature.
Who does not want to use Napster Premium Service?
Someone with a limited budget who wants to buy music. Someone who only wants
to buy music. Someone who does not like Windows Media Player. Someone who
wants higher quality songs. Someone who wants to find songs that are not
on the service.
Store Location: Through Napster's stand-alone program or as a premium
service on Windows Media player. Stand-alone program available
here.
Screenshots:
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Jukebox
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Store Home
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Beastie Boys Search
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Radio
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