CNET's new music download site

Subject: CNET's new music download site
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 28 Apr 04 - 04:41 AM

CNET has been preparing a new music download service - free at the moment, but all legal and above board. I stuck some of my MP3s on it, and yesterday, less than 24 hours after its launch, I got my first fan mail from a user of the service in the US. Very impressed.

You can visit the site at http://music.download.com

Subject: RE: CNET's new music download site
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 02 Jun 04 - 04:26 AM

The service is growing, with 170+ folk artists already providing free downloads. My stuff gets about 10 or so "hits" a day. Predominance of N.American artists of course, but there are quite a few from the UK also, plus a sprinkling of E.Europeans, Aussies etc.

I notice that some are using it as a way to promote a CD - provide one track free, in the hope of attracting sales. And there is some dross too. But quite a lot of good stuff on it.

Subject: RE: CNET's new music download site
From: s&r
Date: 02 Jun 04 - 04:59 AM

I couldn't decide whether my monitor or my eyes had gone blurred. Idea's great; site presentation dreadful

Subject: RE: CNET's new music download site
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 02 Jun 04 - 05:06 AM

Agree. I think a lot is "driven" by CNET's overall presentation standards...

Subject: RE: CNET's new music download site
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 02 Jun 04 - 09:26 AM

Lousy display of scrambled text in my browser. I tried to download some stuff just to test and I couldn't click on a number of what should have been links. The only way I could access the tracks was by looking at the page source code, finding the URL for the link and then copying and pasting back into my browser. (Opera by the way).
It will need to have some good stuff on the site to justify such hassle!
Quack!
GtD.

Subject: RE: CNET's new music download site
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 02 Jun 04 - 03:44 PM

Well, it's got my stuff, Geoff :-)
Seriously, it DOES have some good stuff, but as always one has to kiss a lot of frogs etc etc

Subject: RE: CNET's new music download site
From: Ed.
Date: 02 Jun 04 - 04:16 PM

It works for me, but my definition of 'folk' isn't hundreds of no-hope American singer songwriters.

Sorry, too many frogs...

Subject: RE: CNET's new music download site
From: George Papavgeris
Date: 03 Jun 04 - 06:06 AM

Ed,

There are a lot of frogs in every music scene, because...well, because there are lots of hopefuls. It's not CNET's fault - anyone can post their music there - there is no "style" or "quality" control. Let hopeful non-American non-singer/songwriters put their stuff up and not moan... Lots of Mudcatters produce their own CDs, why not put a track or two up there for everyone to enjoy?

I see there lots of UK artists there as well as Aussies and Fijians, Germans, French and Canadians, Eastern Europeans, Swedes and a Greek. And they are not all singer/songwriters.

Anyway, even among the singer/songwriters you might find another Dave Webber ('Obby 'Oss - Lady of Autumn - Parting Song) or Stan Rogers (Mary Ellen Carter etc) or John Warner (Anderson's Coast). I am sure you sing some of the songs I mentioned. But you never know till you try.

You have to kiss the frog to find the prince/-ess...

I know, boy have we kissed some frogs!