Another extended outage at Rhapsody locks out some users

An extended outage at RealNetworks' Rhapsody music service has locked out an unknown number of users for the second time since March.

While the earlier problem prevented some customers from accessing the site for up to two weeks, this time executives don't know when the problem will be corrected. A handful of Rhapsody users complained on the company's message boards this week that they haven't been able to log on since Friday.

"It's a known issue," said Justine Navaja, a company spokesperson. "We don't know yet when it will be fixed, but it's only affecting a small group of users. We're doing what we can to make sure it gets fixed as soon as possible."

RealNetworks, which competes with Yahoo Music, Napster, and other subscription services, isn't saying whether the glitches are related or what caused them.

Meanwhile, Josh Solera, a Rhapsody customer from Boston, worries that unless the company corrects the problem soon, he'll be cut off from his music.

Songs downloaded off of sites like Rhapsody and Yahoo Music, are restricted by digital rights management. Licenses in the song files must be updated and that can only happen if customers are allowed to sync their computers to the service's Web site. If they can't sync within a specified time, then their music automatically locks up.

Solera, a management consultant, joined Rhapsody in October 2006 and downloads all the songs he wants for a monthly fee. On Tuesday, he tried numerous times to log on but only received error messages.

To make amends, Rhapsody issued Solera a two-week subscription credit. That may not be enough to make him happy. He said that a series of less dramatic but annoying technical issues have worn on his patience. He likes his Zen music player but the problems at Rhapsody have almost convinced him to swap it for an iPod.

"If I could get a subscription service from iTunes, I would sign up in a minute," Solera said. "I think a lot of people would."

[docster87]

renting music?

I guess some people are happy paying $20 a month for years
and end up with NOTHING. I prefer a model where I buy music
and that music is mine (as long as I keep backups for
emergences). Sure I can't sample as much new music, but there
are ways to find new music outside the world wide web.

Sure I rent the occasional DVD, but I've always viewed the radio
as renting music - and AM/FM are FREE. Legal & free are a good
combo, all you need is the radio itself.

[lebowski3]

Check your facts

First of all, get your facts straight. Rhapsody doesn't cost $20, it's $10 basic or $15 if you want the tracks on an MP3 player. Second, I don't know what radio stations you get where you live but the ones I get have a pretty limited rotation of songs.

Look, is Rhapsody perfect? No, and these glitches are distressing but I'll take it over itunes any day. For the price of a CD I get to sample as much music as I want and then have the oppotunity to purchase those tracks I really like. That is until I find these magic radio stations you talk about.

[NPGMBR]

Re: renting Music

I left URGE when they hooked up with Rhapsody and got a Zune 80 and could not be happier. Yes I have a subscription service and love it.

[ssowell]

ATI radeon 7.11

Had the same problem right after upgrading to the latest ATI Radeon 7.11 drivers. Dropped back down to 7.10 and all was well with Rhapsody and was not a huge difference in graphics drivers.

[mbucci]

Conflicting DRM

At the heart of all of this is that monster called DRM. If these users have installed Yahoo Music or Napster (even without a subscription service attached), the conflicts mount in that little hidden folder called "Documents and Settings\All Users\DRM". Rhapsody has forced all users into the DRM 11 camp (since version 4) and enforced background downloads from Microsoft of DRM 11 updates to ensure against piracy, but Napster which still respects DRM 10 and earlier versions of DRM 11 may no longer work if you use both services on the same machine (AND VICE-VERSA!). There is NO point canceling a music subscription, for the problem will follow wherever one lands. It is high time for the entire music subscription industry (Real, Napster, Yahoo, et. al.) to work together on this chaos. They can begin by putting themselves in the driver's seat over Microsoft and RIAA! Until that occurs, legitimate purchasers of music should ONLY buy MP3 downloads over DRM-wma, and "To Go" subscribers whose portable devices no longer function under DRM 11 should realize that they should never again tie themselves to technology that is remotely controlled by Microsoft and music industry cartels. These groups have no loyalty to each other, let alone to the consumer! A ground swell of revolt is emerging by consumers who finally are "getting it"! Who finally are realizing that their plug can be pulled at any time - with no recourse. May the ground swell become a tidal wave.

[WileySkier]

options

I've experienced some login problems similar to the guy in the article...but restarting Rhapsody a few times seems to work. It is definitely frustrating.

Regarding the person who posted their dislike of Rhapsody in favor of iTunes, think about this. Rhapsody offers DRM Free MP3 purchases when available, just like iTunes...and it's $0.89 / track if you're already a member. Rhapsody offers subscription and purchases...choose whatever you want. Even if you buy on iTunes, they have their own DRM...and it's still not really yours according to the RIAA. Try putting those mp3 tracks on something other than an iPod.