Posted by Gary Tait on 11/17/68 11:48

Stephen Adams <adamst@no.spam> wrote in
news:e4vj3k01v2a@news3.newsguy.com:

> NRen2k5 <nomore@email.com> writes:
>>Harri Mellin wrote:
>>> In article <1148336075.236383.212090@j33g2000cwa.googlegroups.com>,
>>> ngc457@mailinator.com wrote:
>>>
>>>> http://www.idont.com/
>>>>
>>>> "Now is the time to break free from restrictive formats and a
>>>> single source for music. It's time for choice, for freedom, for
>>>> self-expression - and for all independent spirits to stand up and
>>>> say "iDon't." You don't need to follow. There is now an
>>>> alternative."
>>>>
>>>> http://www.theroyalwe.org/1984.html
>>>>
>>>
>>> wma players lock you in to windows and wimp
>>>
>>> iPod works on Mac OS and Windows XP
>>
>>WRONG
>>
>>iPod locks you to iTunes.
>
> My iPod plays music from many sources, including, but not limited to,
> rip'd CD's, unencumber mp3s from various (legal) sources, podCasts
> from MANY sources and, of course, iTunes.
>
> Where's the lock in??

To buy DRM encrypted tracks that play on the iPod, you have only one
chioce, unless you really want to play around, possibly violating the
DMCA.

>
>>iTunes lock you to iPod.
>
> While the DRM does require using iTunes or the iPod, you can burn CD's
> that do NOT have the DRM on them. Then you are free to do what you
> want.
>
>>WMA is widely supported.
>
> Microsoft's choice to lock you into Windows Media Center or whatever
> they are calling it.

But many non-apple players support WMA, and even WMA DRM.
And still, iPods are locked from WMA tracks, without playing.

> Does Microsoft provide a way to play their DRM'd music on Macs? Last
> I checked, they dumped support for Windows Media Player on the Mac.
> As noted, iTunes runs on Windows.
>
> Who has more choice??

Both, although Windows users have the edge, due to a number of pay music
services, and a wide range of hardware from a multitude of vendors
(which tend to play more formats).

The only choice iTunes/iPod offers, is the ability to use it on Mac,
at the expense of variety of online music vendors and hardware players.

All other aspects, namely the ability to acquire, organize, and play
unencrypted tracks is the same for Mac or PC, iPod or other players.

> -Stephen

[Back to original message]