And the Worst Designed Software Award Goes To...Napster!
How's this for a frustrating bug? I have a Napster subscription, and have been listening to Liz Phair's latest album lately. I downloaded it over a month ago and have listened to it several times. When I tried to listen to it tonight (keeping in mind it's on my hard drive and I've already signed into Napster), I get this error message:
In addition to that being a confusing message that makes no sense (I have the files, I'm authenticated...why won't they play?) the way that the Napster client and Windows Media Player deals with it is rather ridiculous. When I clicked ok, the player locks up for several seconds, and hitting stop doesn't stop it from trying to play the next song - which results in the same error. I tried five times to click OK then click on the "X" in WMP to stop the madness. That didn't work, so after a few more tries I had to give it the three-finger salute and kill the app. I deleted the files off my hard drive, started up the player again, then deleted the entries from the library (why this isn't automatic is beyond me). I then went into the Napster interface, downloaded the same album again...and now it works perfectly. 8O Let me say it again: DRM is too hard, too flakey, and too limited to catch on in a big way until it becomes much easier. :?
I had this same error message at work for months. I believe it was a firewall issue for me. Just last week, I was upgraded to XP and the problem went away.
Now... I get a different problem at home. Something about security and my DRM licenses. I can't restore or back up licenses.
DRM is a pain. I'm happy to be legal with my music downloads but come on. If this is how DRM is supposed to work, it's time to try something new.
Guys, maybe it isn't DRM that's the pain, but Napster that's the pain? I've been using the iTunes Music Store since it was introduced in April '03, and I've never had any weird problems with DRM. I have my music authenticated to play on 5 computers, and I can burn unlimited CDs without ever worrying about problems.
I have to believe that it's Napster's implementation and buggy software that's causing problems. DRM has potential, and we better get used to it since it's here to stay.
Guys, maybe it isn't DRM that's the pain, but Napster that's the pain? I've been using the iTunes Music Store since it was introduced in April '03, and I've never had any weird problems with DRM.
It's a combination of both - bad DRM with bad software design and implementation.
Quote:
Originally Posted by zkmusa
So all in all, Jason... try iTunes Canada?
I might buy a few tracks, but since I have no devices that use their format, there's not much point. I don't think most consumers understand how locked in they are - a year or two from now when they've bought hundreds of dollars in music and decide they want to buy a music player from a different vendor...then they'll understand.
I have my music authenticated to play on 5 computers
This is something that annoys the heck out of me with iTunes. While it's true that I can authenticate against 5 computers, iTunes leaves it up to me to figure out how to get the music from one machine to another. It's a royal pain. At least with Napster I can "restore" and re-download music I've purchased onto two other machines directly from the service.
I might buy a few tracks, but since I have no devices that use their format, there's not much point. I don't think most consumers understand how locked in they are - a year or two from now when they've bought hundreds of dollars in music and decide they want to buy a music player from a different vendor...then they'll understand.
While I have an iPod, I also use one of the few programs (which I won't mention here) to strip the DRM from the iTunes songs. Therefore, I can play the songs easily on my Pocket PC and non-iPod devices. The process is easy, and I consider it legal since I only do it to use the songs on my other devices. Sure, it's technically illegal (according to the DMCA), but I find it appropriate as long as I don't share them on P2P networks.
Guys, maybe it isn't DRM that's the pain, but Napster that's the pain? I've been using the iTunes Music Store since it was introduced in April '03, and I've never had any weird problems with DRM. I have my music authenticated to play on 5 computers, and I can burn unlimited CDs without ever worrying about problems.
I have to believe that it's Napster's implementation and buggy software that's causing problems. DRM has potential, and we better get used to it since it's here to stay.
So all in all, Jason... try iTunes Canada?
Does itunes have a subscription based service?
I think that is what Jason is talking about, not tracks he has purchased, but songs he is listening to via his subscription.
If itunes does have a subscription service, I wonder if they are thinking about doing something like Napster to go. There are just a few devices that use the new Janus DRM, but I think it is a great idea. Can you imagine getting 60 gig of music for just $14 a month. Sure you are just "renting" the music, but you could always buy it later.
I think that is what Jason is talking about, not tracks he has purchased, but songs he is listening to via his subscription.
I was really trying to start a comparison between DRM implementations between iTunes and Napster, not the services they offer. Jason was complaining about DRM in general, and I pointed out that it is possible to make DRM that is non-intrusive.
Well, let me clarify: I have no use for AAC as a file format. Most of my devices can't play it, so to me, investing more than a few bucks in that format is a waste. But I'll buy a few songs just to check out how iTunes works....then I'll burn a CD and re-rip to WMA. 8)
And the Worst Designed Software Award Goes To...Napster!
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