Mp3 Downloads, Where do you get your downloads? Options

[akunthita]

I was just wondering where do you guys get your MP3 downloads for your Zaurus? I see a lot of free download sites but I'm afraid to use them as they seem to have a tendency to take over my desktop.

Then there are those who want me to download their own media player, or have a montly subscription fee. I really don't like either idea. I just want to buy some music and download it to my Zaurus. I don't want an other media player then what is on my computer already, I want no junkmail, spyware, adware, or whatever.

Can you recommend any sites where you can safely download MP3 (free or for a fee)? I don't mind paying if I know that the site is safe.

I actually really like walmart.com for music downloads as there are no strings attached but they only have donwloads in wma files.

What would you guys recommend?

Thanks a bunch!

[akpoff]

Don't forget places like Magnatunes. Magnatunes represents mostly indie bands. The music selection varies in quality but you get to preview everything you buy. I've had good luck with the jazz, classical and "world" music genres. The rock and pop are uneven.

The prices at magnatunes are right -- you pay what you think it's worth with a suggested price of US$8.00 of which the artist gets a full 50%. Even cooler, you pick the format(s) you want -- you can download just an mp3 copy or you can get wavs and say flac or ogg. There doesn't seem to be a limit to the number of formats. I tend to pull down the flac and re-encode to save them bandwidth but the option is there. Also, you can go back and re-download. It's not like the iTunes Music Store where you get one shot at the download. They also let you listen to almost the whole catalog in streaming format as mp3 radio. They've also just announced that you can give any album you buy to 3 of your friends. John Buckman, who started magnatunes, has a really refreshing philosophy to music -- very compatible with the Free Software movement.

There are also other places. Michael Robertson who started mp3.com started a new one called mp3tunes.com. Seems to be pretty much the same artists from mp3.com. Again, the quality of the music varies. The prices are pretty much in line with the "majors" like iTMS but unlike magnatunes you only get one format -- mp3. Also, the previews are snippets whereas those on magnatunes are full length. On the whole, I have a hard time getting excited about mp3tunes because you pay $8.88 for an album in a lossy format.

I haven't tried allofmp3.com but have walked their catalog. It's very nice and complete. I think I'd use it as suggested -- for marginal interest items. Anything I like I buy as a CD and just rip/encode to disk.