Some months ago, launched a huge, DRM-free catalog of songs and albums available in MP3 format. Now they have released their download client for Linux in native formats for Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora and OpenSUSE. The client is not required to download individual songs, but only for entire albums. I’ve already downloaded a couple of albums as well as individual tracks with no problems on Fedora 8.

Their terms of service appear to be somewhat heavy-handed, but I don’t really see how they could effectively enforce them with no DRM involvement. For the foreseeable future, this will become my primary means of music purchase, finally replacing CDs.

Being a huge fan of Foo Fighters, I bought their newest album In Your Honor a few weeks back. I did notice that it had a label on it that stated that the CD was ‘copy-protected’, whatever that means. I read this story about how the record companies have decided to implement yet another bonehead DRM scheme on several new CD releases. The DRM on my Foo Fighters CD is really non-existant if you use Linux. I had no problems ripping IYH to mp3s, just like any other CD that I have. What’s the point of DRM again?

Apple announced yesterday the their new iPod that supports all sorts of cool video stuff. But, along with the RIAA, MPAA, Hollywood and the entire music industry, Apple’s iTunes is bound by crappy DRM. Other than DRM, there really is no reason that iTunes should be a standalone application. Why not make it a web app, so those of us Linux freaks can buy Apple’s music and video swag? Because of this, I have never used iTunes with my iPod (I use gtkpod and it rocks!). When are these companies going to figure out that they are only alienating their customers? There isn’t a DRM algorithm that can’t be cracked! There never will be! Period!!! DRM does not work! MUSIC/ENTERTAINMENT LORDS, PLEASE STOP WASTING RESOURCES ON DRM AND SPEND MORE TIME ON IMPROVING YOUR CONTENT! Whew, I feel better.

Yet another reason why I love the Marx Brothers. If you’ve never seen any of their flix, you should. Outright hilarity. I recommend Horse Feathers.

I stumbled upon this story via chillingeffects.org regarding Groucho thumbing his nose at Warner Bros. for criticizing him on using the name ‘Casablanca’ in one of the Marx Brothers movie titles. I had no idea that the movie lords were this paranoid sixty years ago. Seems as if not much has changed.

I saw this in Rolling Stone from Angus Young of AC/DC:

It’s amazing we’ve come up with so many terms for ‘naughty bits’ when there are only two or three naughty bits in the first place.