[Firewire]

ew. YouTube rips.

[Stu]

I cannot believe people use YouTube as there main source of music. That's one argument that can be made against illegal downloading. Apparently it has lowered a lot of ear standards up and down the country.

My method with music is simple. I will 'get into' an artist by downloading the entire artists discography. Then, if I like the artist, I will turn this digital discography over time into a physical one. Sounds good to me.

There is no right or wrong with downloading music. The issue is not as simple as that. Both good and bad points have come from it. But notice how it's mostly singles focused, airhead pop artists who speak out against it? Legit musicians who put time and effort into music seem to know that they have a loyal following because of this time and effort who will pay good money for the albums.

I personally have no qualms 'stealing' from an artist that had a minimal effort in the production of their own music.

Also, anyone who tells you that music is dying because of it is a dirty rotten liar though. Music is fine and healthy. It's the big labels who bullied artists for years when giving them only a small percentage of the profits who are dying.

Hey, shit happens.

[setanta]

Ah come on Stu, you're stealing off them like I do on occassion. There's no degrees of right or wrong in a situation like this or excuses to be made when we're basically shop lifting their tunes.

[Stu]

Originally Posted by setanta

Ah come on Stu, you're stealing off them like I do on occassion. There's no degrees of right or wrong in a situation like this or excuses to be made when we're basically shop lifting their tunes.

Of course there is. Due to the availability of free music online, thousands of artists have discovered fan bases salivating for fresh material. On the other hand, record sales are down. There are both good and bad sides to everything. Much like the late King Of Pop, it's neither black nor white.

Is it okay to 'steal' from certain artists more than others? Absolutely. Without question.

[setanta]

Originally Posted by Stu

Of course there is. Due to the availability of free music online, thousands of artists have discovered fan bases salivating for fresh material. On the other hand, record sales are down. There are both good and bad sides to everything. Much like the late King Of Pop, it's neither black nor white.

Is it okay to 'steal' from certain artists more than others? Absolutely. Without question.

But stealing is stealing really; I don't think there's degrees involved with it.

Yes, it's nice to see new music out there on the internet but for every new discovery people make, do you think they'll go out and buy their cd or attend their gigs? I'm not so sure.

[Stu]

Originally Posted by setanta

But stealing is stealing really; I don't think there's degrees involved with it.

If you want to think stealing all the cash and jewelery from a pensioner living alone and stealing a rock from Richard Branson's prized chest of rocks is the same thing, without degrees, because of some bollocks pseudo moral 'stealing is stealing' mentality then sure, shoot for the stars.

Originally Posted by setanta

Yes, it's nice to see new music out there on the internet but for every new discovery people make, do you think they'll go out and buy their cd or attend their gigs? I'm not so sure.

I am. Record sales may be down, but live gig attendances went through the roof this decade. That's a fact.

For every negative of illegal downloading there is a lot of positives. When record prices are nosediving in years to come, be sure to send us hooligans a letter of thanks!

File sharing is driving a knife right through the corporate underbelly of the music industry. Fucking celebrate.

[setanta]

Originally Posted by Stu

If you want to think stealing all the cash and jewelery from a pensioner living alone and stealing a rock from Richard Branson's prized chest of rocks is the same thing, without degrees, because of some bollocks pseudo moral 'stealing is stealing' mentality then sure, shoot for the stars.


I am. Record sales may be down, but live gig attendances went through the roof this decade. That's a fact.

For every negative of illegal downloading there is a lot of positives. When record prices are nosediving in years to come, be sure to send us hooligans a letter of thanks!

The live gigs are by and large for the bands that people like Branson and the like produce and yes, stealing is stealing. I find it highly unlikely that people who download relatively unknown bands for free will suddenly have a mad desire to find an original copy and buy it or travel over to Finland or Russia or wherever to see them perform live. And the stealing is stealing is in reference to your assertions involving the music business, not with regard to all forms of stealing.

[Stephanie]

i normally only download tv shows

[InOne]

It is what comes with the net really. If people see something for free they will take it. Human greed.

[Dolphin-and-Whale]

Youtube Converter is quality for getting the tunes.

[Stu]

Originally Posted by Dolphin-and-Whale

Youtube Converter is quality for getting the tunes.

Yeah but the audio quality from YouTube is terrible in most cases, and in all cases never up to the scratch of more conventional methods of listening.

[Dolphin-and-Whale]

Originally Posted by Stu

Yeah but the audio quality from YouTube is terrible in most cases, and in all cases never up to the scratch of more conventional methods of listening.

I'm not too fussy about the quality so I don't really mind.

I used to download through Limewire but stopped doing that.

[Stu]

Originally Posted by Dolphin-and-Whale

I'm not too fussy about the quality so I don't really mind.

I used to download through Limewire but stopped doing that.

Aye I used to use it constantly years ago but it's washing up less and less gems these days.

[Princess]

Originally Posted by Dolphin-and-Whale

Youtube Converter is quality for getting the tunes.

YT sound quality is so bad! Try buying an album and listening to it on a cd player(hi-fi whatever) and you'll see the difference.

Oh and I argee with Stu on the whole some artists deserve to be 'stole' off more than others. Although the ones who 'deserve' it aren't really artists at all.

[MrGaryy]

yuck YouTube rips sounds awful. Limewire is too risky for my liking, I rely on direct download links.

[Jords]

I can get good quality songs, jsut the odd song which is really bad its like noooo! Haha, then I use Itunes for that.

You sort of mix and match, use free downloads if possible (if theyre available + half decent quality) and cost downloads if not.

[Shaun]

I download shitloads, but then try to buy what I like out of that. I wouldn't have bought The Cure/Jimi Hendrix's CDs yesterday if I hadn't got them illegally first.

[MrGaryy]

I love how going on to a website and digitally listening to snippets of songs is now considered 'the old fashioned way'.

[setanta]

Originally Posted by MrGaryy

I love how going on to a website and digitally listening to snippets of songs is now considered 'the old fashioned way'.

Lol, well it is isn't it? Most people just download them now like they're switching channels on tv.

[Princess]

The old fashioned way is called vinyl....

[setanta]

Originally Posted by Princess

The old fashioned way is called vinyl....

Oh I love vinyl. Far better sound off it.

[MrGaryy]

Originally Posted by Princess

The old fashioned way is called vinyl....

clearly not in this context :P

and yeah InOne, I suppose it is, seems weird when you say it. Times are changing so rapidly.

[InOne]

All The Smiths on vinyl. That is all I need. Also have a vinyl 7" Juke Box.

[Tom4784]

I can't stand watching TV shows or films on my PC so I always wait for it to air on Brittish TV or buy it on DVD/ Go to cinemas. I get most of my games from a friend's game shop because I get a discount and he does Imports.

I prefer CDs to downloading as I like to have a product in my hands really as legal downloads can be so easily lost. If I'm iffy about an artist though I might download their album for a listen and If I like it I'll buy it, If I don't I'll delete it.

I don't have any qualms for people who do download though like Stu says there's a fair few positives to the practice.

[Twilight]

I do it all the time with albums and movies.