| With the number of U.S. music fans downloading | | | | these services to use?Again both, Napster and |
| music online increasing by double digits yearly it's | | | | eMusic offers a freely downloadable application for |
| become obvious that downloading is the new way to | | | | use in conjunction with their service. Both are just a |
| do music.For sure there have been, and in fact | | | | few mouse clicks to download and could not be |
| continues to be issues with legal-vs-illegal but follow | | | | simpler to install. Each user interface is of course |
| this very simple guideline and you don't have to be | | | | completely different from the other but both can be |
| concerned about the feds showing up at your | | | | easily learned upon spending a few minutes playing |
| door.The bottom line here is just like in the real world | | | | with it.What about value for the money, which is |
| DO NOT copy your music and sell or give those | | | | better?Napster: Offers three levels of membership |
| copies away to anyone. That's where the file sharers | | | | and service. At the minimal, free level, members can |
| go wrong.It's that simple.With that often | | | | stream almost any track in the Napster catalog up to |
| misunderstood bit of information cleared up I'm now | | | | 5 times each. If you're interested in downloading and |
| going to contrast and compare a couple of the | | | | having unlimited listening capability you'll pay $9.95 per |
| better and yes, perfectly legal online music download | | | | month. With either of these levels you'll also have the |
| services.Two of the best music download services | | | | option of purchasing a song outright for .99 each. If |
| I've had the opportunity to try out are eMusic and | | | | you use your music in conjunction with an iPod or |
| Napster.What are the best features of each | | | | other portable device it's $14.95 per month to fill your |
| service?Napster: Despite it's rocky past the new | | | | device with unlimited downloads.Throughout the |
| Napster is a perfectly legal music download site and | | | | Napster site at all levels of membership you have the |
| their full library of digital music, [over 2 million songs] is | | | | ability to freely listen to :30 second samples of |
| completely free to listen to. You only pay if you | | | | songs.eMusic: Has three levels of membership as well. |
| decide to download a song or two to your | | | | For $9.99 per month you get up to 40 downloads, |
| computer, iPod or other MP3 Player. And Napster has | | | | for $14.99 you get 65, and for $19.99 per month you |
| a variety of subscription options to choose from | | | | get 90 downloads. These are high quality MP3 |
| which means you're sure to find a plan that's right for | | | | downloads and are on a per month basis, and do not |
| you. Most users will be impressed with the overall | | | | rollover. To borrow a term from the cell phone |
| depth and breadth of the Napster catalog. Very few | | | | industry.So which is better?The million dollar question. |
| searches turn up no results.eMusic: All the tunes | | | | I have to say it really depends on how you use and |
| available through eMusic are legitimately licensed from | | | | listen to music. With Napster your music is tied to |
| record labels and artists, so you don't have to worry | | | | your computer unless you purchase the track or |
| about a midnight visit from the authorities here either. | | | | entire CD outright at .99 per song. This differs greatly |
| eMusic is now advertising that they have over | | | | form eMusic where with either service level you |
| 1,000,000 high quality MP3 files from 1,200 | | | | actually download MP3 files so you do have the |
| independent music labels. The collection is mostly filled | | | | option of burning CD's more freely.I really like several |
| out in the rock genre, but they also have an | | | | things about each service but mainly with Napster |
| outstanding assortment of jazz and blues, as well as | | | | the sheer size of their catalog is very enticing, and |
| a surprisingly large selection of world music. I found | | | | with eMusic being able to download burnable MP3's is |
| the MP3 music downloads available through eMusic | | | | certainly a desirable feature.Like I said, I guess it just |
| were of the highest quality.What are the | | | | comes down to what's important to you in |
| performance highlights of each service?Both Napster | | | | determining which service is right and will work best |
| and eMusic seem to be built for use by those with | | | | for you.I've given you a point from which to start |
| broadband connections. Neither one of them says so | | | | your thinking process here. For complete information |
| explicitly but it's pretty clear. Besides, downloading | | | | on the eMusic download service goto now. |
| files as large as even small music files is best done | | | | Alternatively, you'll find complete information on the |
| with a high speed internet connection.How easy are | | | | Napster music download service at Lee Dennis, a.k.a. |