MP3s vs. M4P: Don't risk needing to buy The White Album again

Image via WikipediaIsn't it weird how everyone refers to any music file as an MP3?  Like Kleenex, Xerox and Rollerblade it's a recognized brand name. What you probably don't know is that you aren't buying MP3's from iTunes.

You're buying M4P files. They have DRM (Digital Rights Management) so that you can only load it onto Apple devices. That's not a big deal for as long as you own an iPod, but the second someone else makes a better device, you'll be out in the cold on your music library. [There are ways around it, but it's a load of trouble.]

I bring it up because I read some stats claiming that Amazon's music store is a flop because it's just not as easy to use as iTunes so people aren't buying it. I recently bought a bunch of music from Amazon's webstore. It was very easy. On my mac after purchase, Amazon has you install a download manager which automatically imports your songs to the iTunes library. Totally easy, basically one step and the best part is that I'll be able to take my music with me on any device I ever buy without hassle.

The only other piece of advice I can give is to change some of the settings in the Preferences window. Under Advanced, make sure two boxes are checked. First, 'Keep iTunes Music folder organized'. Second, 'Copy Files to iTunes folder when adding to library'. For me, when I download a new song from Amazon or an audiobook from Audible, I just open it with iTunes and it is organized automatically in my folder and in my Library.

The bottom line: it's your music. Make sure you know how to keep it in your control. You don't want to be a victim like you were when they made the switch from cassettes to CDs and were forced to buy the White Album again, do you? [Not that The Beatles are actually available digitally, yet].

Related articles by Zemanta

• Why Isn't Anyone Defecting from iTunes to Amazon's MP3 Store? [ITunes] 
• Amazon MP3 (AMZN) Not Killing iTunes Yet (AAPL)
  
• Rumor: Apple's iTunes going DRM-free starting Tuesday (Aidan Malley/AppleInsider)
• eMusic hits 250 million downloads
• Reselling MP3s: The music industry's new battleground?

Buy Handmade!

So, I've been on this 'green' type kick. I've been thinking about my carbon footprint, trying to eat less meat, reusing (or not using) shopping bags when I buy little things, turning off the lights, and taking off my shirt instead of running the air conditioner.

Speaking of shirts, I recently bought a totally sweet shirt from this new online marketplace called Etsy. It's a marketplace where small vendors can make and sell their wares. It's got a lot of stuff. From cufflinks to knittings to art to pottery. I'm not sure where I come out on the whole little guy vs. major corporation thing, but I'm pretty sure that I side with the little guy.

Now, let's not get out of control here. The main reasons that I use Etsy are that it's really easy to find some shirts that are interesting and the goods are typically pretty high quality (handmade in the USA after all). Plus, there's a human touch. When I buy a shirt, it often comes with a little note from the craftsperson thanking me for my purchase. (Typically, the artisan will buy a blank shirt from American Apparel and print their design on it.) Plus, I'm not sure where else you could get this shirt or this tie.

I feel like it's a bit greener to buy shirts manufactured in the US rather than China because you save all of that shipping. A side effect might be that some jobs may be created in the US. But, I have no real evidence that there is actually any benefit. And, who knows if American Apparel is less polluting compared with China, I'd have to guess yes, but maybe they make up the difference with sexual harassment.

So, about the interface, it's a typical shopping website with search, categories for browsing and create favorites of both items and of sellers. You can also choose to 'Shop Local', though I'm not sure if that means you pick it up rather than have it shipped. Like every other website launched in the past 3 years, it has a social aspect. I'm bballan if you're interested in seeing my favorites.

Let me know what you think of the site. If you get something cool, I'd love to hear what it is. I think I'm about to buy this shirt from one of my favorite sellers.

I just recommended:Etsy