Why I Still Buy CDs
As we mark the 25th anniversary of the CD some of my colleagues and friends are surprised that such a technofile as myself still buys CDs. These detractors fall into 2 camps: one that believe I shouldn’t pay for it because I can get it for free from P2P networks, and the others just buy all of their music on iTunes or some subscription service.
I’m not any particular supporter of the RIAA, and I’ve been down the P2P route. In fact I used to write software using the Gnutella protocol (R.I.P. Gene) and loved P2P as a disruptive and innovative way to provide network services, which eventually led me to found Ubero as a distributed processing service in 2000.
As far as buying music online, I loved AllOfMP3.com not only because of it’s price, but mainly the fact that it was DRM-free and you could buy high bit-rate versions of songs for a higher price that was still very reasonable. However, Russia wants to get in the WTO so they shut it down, although it has resurfaced as MP3Sparks.
So to not upset Russia, I continue to acquire the bulk of my music by buying CDs. Here’s what I get with it
- All of my songs stored on a physical media that can act as a backup, packaged in a pleasing and artistic manner
- High bit-rate (about 320kbps) versions { CD-quality
} of my music - DRM-free, can be played at high quality in my car, computer, home audio system, or ripped to MP3s for my computer or MP3 player
- Usually $9.99 each from Amazon, tax free, 2-day free shipping (I’m an Amazon Prime member) so the price is the same or better than buying a whole album on iTunes
- CDs usually come with some extras that can’t be had by buying the album online. The music companies are trying to incentivize people to keep buying CDs.
I’m not one to acquire or buy 1 song at a time unless I need it for a specific reason like I want to integrate it into a slide show or something. For those reasons then I’d usually acquire it online. But if an artist I like or follow comes out with a new album I want the whole album, not just the singles they cherry-picked by radio DJs and program managers.
As we look back on the 25th anniversary of the CD many have asked themselves “what was the first CD you bought?” If you don’t know what a CD is then stop reading this blog now. Otherwise, my answer is Love and Rockets “Express“.
