[Dixielandjazz] New "free" legit download site contains OKOM!

[Dan Augustine]

     Also, the site works only if you use a computer running Windows 
(i discovered that after i tried and failed to get it to work).

     Dan
---------------
"What are SpiralFrog's minimum system requirements?
     To download songs at the SpiralFrog Web site, you will need to be 
using a computer platform that runs either Windows XP or Windows 
Vista.
     You will also need to have Windows Media Player Version 10 or 11 
installed on your computer. To download Windows Media Payer Version 
11 free from Microsoft, click here.
     During the installation process for the Download Manager, we will 
check your computer to make sure you have what's required to download 
songs from SpiralFrog and suggest any additional software that you 
may need to install.

What browser should I be using?
     The SpiralFrog Web site works well with the following browsers: 
Internet Explorer Versions 6 and 7, and Firefox Versions 1.5 and 2.0.

Do I have to install anything on my computer?
     As part of the registration process, you'll be invited to install 
the Download Manager. This small software application - less than 2MB 
- allows you to transfer songs and videos from SpiralFrog to your 
computer.
     To get technical, the Download Manager application is implemented 
as a Microsoft .Net application, and thus relies on the presence of 
the Microsoft .Net Framework 1.1 or later to be on your computer. 
This comes bundled with Windows Vista and is preinstalled on most 
modern computers running Windows XP. However, should your computer 
for some reason not have .Net Framework, the set-up program for the 
SpiralFrog Download Manager will install .Net Framework 1.1 for you. 
(You don't need to know if the .Net Framework is there or not as the 
set-up program will check this automatically.)"
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>Date: Sat, 29 Sep 2007 12:57:01 -0500
>From: Lowell Busching <verbose at daktel.com>
>Subject: Re: [Dixielandjazz] New "free" legit download site contains OKOM!
>Cc: Dixieland Jazz Mailing List <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
>
>BillSargentDrums at aol.com wrote:
>
>>All the songs are DRM (protected by Digital Rights Management) . . .
>
>Details, details :-)  You are spoiling all the fun Bill! :-)  From 
>the old saying you never get anything for NOTHING.  Thanks for 
>adding these details anyway. I had discovered this in the fine print 
>also, but choose not to mention the alternatives that MAY be 
>available. I figure a good share of the DJML members are savvy 
>enough to think of that, but maybe not.  Also the email was long 
>enough with the basics.
>
>Now you all know the REST of the story.  Don't hate them because 
>they are not beautiful. As they state, it was a requirement by the 
>record companies that they put the DRM codes on them.
>
>>meaning they expire and are useless unless you maintain your 
>>"membership" which, in this case is logging in with the computer 
>>that contains the songs and the download program.
>
>Correct.  Nothing seems to prevent you from backing them up though, 
>although I suspect they will not play on another computer and they 
>may ask where they went.  So save them.
>>  Now there is conversion software out there that MAY be able to 
>>help you convert these file sand free them up, but that's another 
>>post and research effort.
>
>Yes there are. A simple answer is the Magix programs, for one, 
>available at most computer stores legally.  The sound recording 
>equivalent of the video recorders. These programs record off your 
>sound card just like you would do with a hand held or plugged in 
>recorder.  I am sure there are illegal programs that will remove the 
>codes also. Your call. Jail or just listening while you do your 
>email.
>
>>  Translation, you can't use these songs as freely as you may think 
>>or burn them to CDs.
>
>What do you want for nothing Bill :-) Besides that I believe they 
>are .wma files rather then mp3, requiring more conversions if you 
>can not play .wma files. They mention using them on portable 
>devices, but I may have mis-read that.  Maybe the codes need to be 
>updated each month or they stop playing somehow on your portable 
>device?
>>
>I figured some other list member would fill in the blanks. Thanks again.
>Not all recordings listed are available for downloading. It is more 
>of a  sampler site with full tracks instead of 30 second samples. 
>Many full albums. Many genres just within jazz. For OKOM. Wild Bill, 
>Sidney, Louis, Fire House Five + Two etc.  Worth checking out I 
>think. There still IS no free lunch, but Spiralfrog is paying the 
>bill for now.
>
>If you take the lunch home in your purse or briefcase, they don't 
>want to know about it.
>
>Mad Dog

-- 
**--------------------------------------------------------------------**
**  Dan Augustine  --  Austin, Texas  --  ds.augustine at mail.utexas.edu
**             "O Lord, help me to be pure, but not yet."            
**                     -- St. Augustine (354-430)                    
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