Comments on: Microsoft opens MSN Music store

Software maker launches MSN Music a day early. Songs and albums can now be purchased on the rival to Apple's iTunes.

[Alex Alexzander]

I am laughing at Microsoft

This site is doesn't meet with expectation at all. iTunes and the Apple music store is a real application. You don't have to remember web links, and it isn't another confusing, send you all over the web, nightmare.

Maybe tech geeks get this, but I assure you, the vast majority of actual people buying music will prefer the application approach that Apple has taken. Mark my words, this is going to go no where. Napster's application is a joke, but at least it is an application, not a web page.

We have the internet, but that doesn't mean everything should be based in web pages. We want real software, but it should be internet / networked, which iTunes is.

A company with over fifty billion in cash reserves couldn't do better than a sloppy web page? Un-f'n-believable.

-Alex Alexzander

[Jonathan]

Stupid is as stupid does

First off READ THE SUMMARY OF THE ARTICLE.

Say it with me. _BETA_

Second when has MS ever had a slam dunk out of the gate. NEVER. This is a company with 40 BILLION in the bank. They can build a working music store over the next 5 years and slowly eat away at Apple's customers. This is how MS works. Its how their competitors are lulled into a false sense of security because when they see what V1 has to offer they laugh. Let me ask you: Is Netscape laughing anymore?
Rule number one when dealing with your enemy and esp when dealing with a scum bag of a company like MS: NEVER underestimate your enemy.

It is integrated into the Windows Media Player

So the article didn't really convey this too well, but it does say that you can use it without having to download their player. However, if you download the windows media player 10, it is tightly integrated and offers a much better experience in my opinion than napster. Of course, I still think iTunes does the best integration of service and player.

No Download Required for MS Store? Huh?

Your article contains the misleading statement:
"Unlike Apple's iTunes, the MSN store does not require users to
download a separate software program to access the music
lineup." Do you mean Windows users will not have to download
the new Windows Media Player in order to use the Microsoft
music store? Highly improbable. Also, buyers of HP computers
don't have to download iTunes anymore. Please get your facts
straight.

Doesn't work with Mozilla Firefox on Mac

I assume it works with IE, but I am not going to risk trying it.

[Jonathan]

Translation: Expect more slime ball tactics from MS.

This from a company that never learned a DAMN thing from the antitrust trial. So I'm willing to bet hard cash Apple is readying an anticompetitive practice LS.
As I've told my friends when the AT trials wrapped up. See you guys again in about 10 years. Never thought it would be this soon.

[ralph spoilsport]

How about fixing IE first.

Wait another 2 years for a web browser from Microsoft, while the current version support for web standards is riddled with bugs. This is the result when Microsoft chushes the compitition. Lets hope this one doesn't catch on.
...and please don't even think any of this will work on a Mac.

[guye]

Digital hub & music rentals...

To use a Microsoft app to manage my digital hub? No thanks I
dread the day my TV would turn blue with a warning message
and I would have to "reboot" my amp in order to listen to music.
Regarding the media rental, I see it as an opening for "hackers"
to post a "fix" in order to turn the rental into a permanent
purchase. Also Apple offers a multi-platform solution. Knowing
Microsoft I will be forced to upgrade both software and hardware
every few years in order to enjoy what I rightfully own. No
thanks!

[Anthony Frausto-Robledo]

sorry Bill, I use Windows but I like iTunes too way better

I use multple OSs and I love iTunes on Windows (or Mac) and
after giving the MSN Music Store a good look over I have
several gripes:

1. This store doesn't let me use my Mac, I'm as forced to a
Windows box as Gates says iPod users are forced to use the
iTunes music store. Give me a FREAKING break Bill. Don't
preach OPEN when you are the most closed Windows-self
minded person on the planet. Apple is committing no more
sin than Microsoft on this account.

2. MSN MS is just plain not that interesting and inviting when
compared to iTunes. Lot's of interface design errors in my
opinion as a professional web designer i think the site is
rather fine but iTunes is simply outstanding!

3. MSN MS is really just a website at the moment. I like the
integration of iTunes and the store in one application
different than my Web browser. I think this makes so much
more sense for multiple reasons.

Given how much better iTunes is over MSN MS and the fact
that if I want to use my iPod (and a Mac sometimes) I have not
choice but to give up the MSN MS for now. What am I missing
for doing so? Absolutely nothing at the moment.