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