NAPSTER

[MOCKBA]

I HEARD THAT NAPSTER IS NOT GONNA BE FREE ANYMORE? IS THAT TRUE? IF YES THAN HOW MUCH IS IT GOING TO BE?

 

[Tauren]

Yes, it's going to be a pay service by this summer. They aren't sure how much yet but, they did quote around $15 to $25. (

 

[Moonbender]

I think Bertelsmann has said it'll be $15 a month, while some representative from Napster has said it'll only be $5. I could live with the latter.

 

[Miraluka]

$5 a month isn't too bad. I would go with that. But being the bum that i am, $15 is too much.

 

[MOCKBA]

I think that there r so many places on the net to get music besides Napster that this idea is not gonna work too well

 

[gtd2000]

Well if it's gonna be $$$ to use it they will need to cut out all the people on there that don't share their files :|
Miserable gits :frown:

As mentioned - there are more alternatves everyday.....

 

[frustrated2]

If they start to charge they will lose alot of members. I can't believe that they don't put advertisements up inside the program when you are downloading to pay for it.

 

[JayPatel]

whats with the caps?

 

[MOCKBA]

nothing

 

[weshuang]

I think I read that they may charge the monthly fee for a premium service, one where the files are all verified in terms of quality. This would be worth something to me, tired of downloading files that end in the middle of a song.

 

[palad]

Here's the scoop from Napster's website:

Will there be a fee to use Napster?
Yes and no. For the moment the Napster experience will remain exactly the same while we figure out the best way to structure an enhanced membership service and try to gain acceptance from other major recording and publishing companies. In the coming weeks, we will be asking you for your input to help us define exactly what this evolved service will be. Once we have come up with what we feel is the best solution -- based in part on your feedback -- we will announce our plans on our website and through the Napster software. We are confident that we can devise a system that will make everyone happy -- Napster users, artists and songwriters, as well as record and publishing companies. Our commitment to you is that once we have the system set, we will always make sure that the community knows exactly where the money is going.

Will Napster continue to offer a free service?
Yes! We are committed to creating a system in which users can choose to participate without paying any money. We realize that Napster is nothing without its user community -- you make us what we are. However, for a small membership fee we feel that we can facilitate an enhanced service that you'll find even more valuable and that will allow us to generate revenues to be able to make payments to artists and songwriters for music files that our users share with each other. We are working with Bertelsmann and other potential allies in an effort to work out the details of how all this will work and we will, of course, keep you fully informed as details become available.

Not very informative, but it's all they're giving.