You can always copy to CD using a $3 audio cable that takes audio out into audio in… there’s some loss, but it’s nothing compared to the audio quality lost due to crappy speakers / headphones. I believe there are some ways to copy, but I’m not sure what Rhapsody gives you for free. Certainly, you can pay the ~ $0.69 I think for burn rights.

Enjoy!

“Now, in theory, Real’s offering a 25 tracks a month free thing with Rhapsody, no credit card required. You download Rhapsody, and you can play 25 different songs, or the same song 25 different times, each month. This is essentially a better version of the Free Trial and is designed to follow the heroine model — the first 25 are free to get you hooked, and then you start to pay monthly.”

First of all you say, “in theory”, so: (1.) are they TRULY giving you 25 free songs per month, in hopes that (like the heroin) you will get hooked; or are they giving you NOTHING free at all? (Because as for me, 25 a month would be plenty for my purposes.)

(2.) If the 25 songs per month ARE truly free, can i copy them to a CD on my PC’s burner?

You said, “Wow…people actually DO read this!” Actually, I went to Google looking specifically FOR some feedback on Rhapsody (gotta luv that guy [561-in your reader comments] that said “they didn’t even spell rap right”…you can bet HE doesn’t own a Scrabble game!…rotf).
My brother heard it on the radio and wrote down the URL freerhapsody45.com, and the that night I saw an ad on TV for it using a different URL (freerhapsody23.com), so when I saw the 2 different ID’s I went to Freerhapsody.com to check it out, and see what I could find. I’m leary about anything these days that says “free”, and didn’t find much info on the website, and definitely wasn’t about to hit “the button” without knowing for sure what the real deal is. I have no intention of subscribing to anything, and I didn’t want to download anything and then have to uninstall it, because I’m aware that you never get rid of the “residue” left behind.
I sure would appreciate a reply, and again I appreciate the Blog…I learned a few things from you and (a few of) your responders. I have to agree with BlankZero; we can do without the fould language. And as for his/her comment to Gerry; he’s probably a drug dealer, in which case…he must be working the wrong corner. Thanks for your time Erik! -Kelli

Real’s business model includes selling user information. If they can combine user info, with location, browsing habits, age, etc, that’s a lot of valuable info! That’s why it takes TWO downloads to use their service, one for Rhapsody, and another for the player itself.

BTW, I was just at the Rhapsody website from a TV ad, here is a working link as of January 8.
http://www.real.com/dmm/rhapsody/

I appreciate the fact that you wrote out this warning for anyone who comes across your blog, but the fact that anyone needed to be told anything, in order to realize that there were marketing schemes at work, is almost saddening.

On a side note, there are plenty of other (legal) ways to get music outside of the big industry programs; iTunes and Rhapsody are both extremely overpriced. There are mp3 dealer sites on the internet, and their prices are much more reasonable; you just need to know how to find them.

I myself got a 30GB Black iPod for Christmas, and I have to commend Apple for making such a great product. iTunes has replaced WinAmp as my favorite media player, and the seamless integration between the iPod and iTunes is a big bonus. I don’t like iTune’s song download system, but they don’t require you to use it in any case, so you’re free to use mp3’s from anywhere on the ‘net, or even ones ripped from your own CD collection.

As a side-side note, I recommend getting RealPlayer if you’re going to rip CDs to add to your music collection. It’s the only easily available media player that can rip to the mp3 format.

In closing, there’s no real need to curse on the internet; semi-proper grammar and spelling are essential if you want someone to take you seriously; make sure Caps Lock is OFF when you’re typing something; don’t be foolish enough to think that any service on the Internet has no strings attached.

And a question for Gerry: what kind of job can possibly pay you $100 an hour, yet leave you with enough time to browse the internet and post half-baked responses to useful blog posts? I already know the answer, of course. There are none. Of course, even if there were, you’re expecting payment for time spent neglecting your work. Don’t spam the comment boxes with your nonsense.

ITS A SCAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!