Do you support file sharing?
 

I was curious about how many of us here support file sharing like KaZaA, etc. I don't tend to use it unless I'm just looking for an individual song or an album is out of print or something like that. I usually support the artist by buying their CD, but we all knows that doesn't really help the artist all that much. :( Anyway, who here uses file sharing programs?

Sometimes I download retarded music just cuz its funny. And I'm not gonna go actually buy a New Kids on the Block CD for the record execs. So I'm all for it. As long as people actually support the bands they like

I don't have anything against using it to preview albums. Until record labels will put their bands full albums on the web for previewing...I'll download all I want. Seriously...giving me a 30 sec. sample of the songs on the CD is like letting me test drive a car with no wheels. BUT...BUT!! If I like any of the songs enought to listen to more than 3 or 4 times...then I'll buy the album. 2 reaons I'll buy the album any day before I burn a CD: 1) I support music I like and 2) I can't stand the sound quality of an mp3...my ears go into convulsions after listening to 128kbps songs for longer than like 30 min.

Ahh, this is a hard topic to answer, It's like, you can disover new bands you like, then buy their crap, but then, if you download all their albums, and never buy anything, it's kinda stupid..

It depends. If I think the band is worthy of me purchasing their cd (meaning all of their songs on the cd are atleast decent) then I will purchase it. However if they only have 1 good song out of maybe 15, I'll go the quick, easy and free route of just downloading it, playing it for some time and then maybe keeping it for a bit.

I like using it when I only want to have one or two songs by a band, or iof I need the song for a special occasion (movie, dance, school?) ...Usually if I'm into a band tho I'll buy their CD.

I don't use the file sharing programs, anymore, but used to love Audio Galaxy. Thanks to that program, I discovered some of the greatest artists in my music collection. It wasn't a substitution for buying music, it was a way to discover things. Yeah, I found some extremely rare remixes, etc., but it introduced me to Porcupine Tree, whom became a huge part of my purchased music collection.

I don't use file sharing programs.

BUT

I'm all for File Sharing.
For a few reasons.


1. If someone has the money, and actually likes something, they'll usually buy it.
2. The artists usually get next-to-nothing for purchased albums. Go to shows and but T-Shirts and stuff to truly support them.

I'm in favour of file sharing for music discovery and for albums that aren't available for purchase anymore.

My music purchasing has exploded since I've started using file sharing (1997 or so). It's simply so much easier to find stuff I like and thus stuff I want to buy. While I download things that I haven't bought, that doesn't take away from anyone's profits (since they are things I wouldn't have bought anyway and they aren't physical stock on shelves that could be purchased by others) and I've bought much more than I would have otherwise.

So, while I realize it's not "right," according to intellectual property rights, I don't feel bad about it and I think it's led to wins for everyone...me, the labels and the artists.

I don't think most people are FOR it, but certainly will us it because it is so easy, and hate getting ripped off by the mega media companies.