Why I Stopped Using ITunes

If you know me in real life you know that I’m big time anti-piracy and anti-file sharing. As a software developer and author I don’t want people taking my stuff without paying for it, so I don’t take theirs without paying for it. It’s the old do unto others.

Like all Geeks, I have an Ipod – an Ipod that has about 20 or 30 gigs of music on it. Unlike most geeks however, I actually have all the CD’s to back up the music. I estimate that I’ve probably spent over $5,000 on CDs over the years. Lately I just buy them used on Amazon for around $5 – sure somebody else has probably just ripped the songs, but at least my actions are legal. I believe that’s all a man can do, make sure what he does is correct. If everybody thought like that the world would be a better place.

Anyway, occasionally a song comes out that I like, but I still won’t justify paying $5 for the CD when I only want one song. I used to use ITunes for that. It was great for getting those one hit wonder songs. One of my favorite bands, Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers, even released a special CD only on ITunes. I had no choice but to buy that one. Seriously, if you like Country, Southern Rock, or Americana, Check them out on MySpace.

Alright, enough fluff. When my computer fried (power lines went down) I was forced to buy a new one, and transfer all my data to this new computer. That’s where the problem comes in. ITunes offers no way to re-download songs you’ve already paid for. It’s not $0.99 per song.. it’s $0.99 per download! I wish I’d have known that up front. As often as I change computers I’d have been better off buying the CD even for one song – and I wouldn’t have to deal with DRM either.

It’s time to step up to the plate Apple. You have a record of me buying songs, you have the songs.. Why can’t I re download them?

October 27th, 2006