Forget 99-cent iTunes, let's have 10-cent downloads from Russia.

Recently I aquired an Iriver H10 to play Windows Media Audio and mp3 files when I'm on the go. I've only had the thing for a few days and I must say I do like the player, but it definitely has some problems. The most annoying thing is the complete inability to transfer playlists to the H10 using Windows Media Player (the only software Iriver says you can use to transfer playlists and songs). So, I did some research and found a group of H10 enthusiasts who wrote a program that properly transfers playlists to the H10. Thanks guys! Isn't the Internet the coolest? Today I was searching for Buddha's Patio, a song by Bitstream Dream. Years ago I discovered Bitstream dream on MP3.com---when MP3.com was actually decent. Anyway, I have a 128kbps copy of Buddha's Patio and was looking to replace it with a 192kbps+ copy. I first downloaded the song in 2001--at least I think it was 2001--for free. While searching via Google I came across a Russian website, Audio Store, which did have a copy of Buddha's Patio for 10 cents! Another site, Mp3Sugar, offers 10-cent pricing as well. I did a double-take, no doubt. Can they do that? Samizdata has spoken about another Russian company offering mp3 downloads for 12 cents. Unreal! The author of the post at Samizdata has done business with AllOfMp3 and says he's thoroughly pleased. Since these two mp3 sites are located in Russia I am very apprehensive about giving them a credit card number. But fear not! In the case of AllOfMp3, they offer payment services through PayPal. Audio Store offers payment through Webmoney and Paycash (I have no idea who they are). And both AllofMp3 and Mp3Sugar offer payment services via ChronoPay, another funds transfer service just as legit as PayPal (and is available to US customers). Just imagine buying complete albums in high-quality 192kbps+ mp3 format for less than $1.50. No wonder the fascists at the RIAA are vying to get Congress to impose sanctions on Russia. I searched all over RIAA's site, C|Net, US Department of Justice, and various file-trading websites to determine if using Audio Store, AllOfMp3, or Mp3Sugar is illegal under US law. It is not illegal. For now, anyway. So, stop paying 99 cents per song and start paying 10 to 12 cents per song! (Or 99 cents an album--your choice.) Big thanks to Mudville Gazette for offering a very generous Open Trackback post. Shire Network News is the podcast of Silent Running, an Anglospheric group blog, and is the best podcast out there. So says I.