The Red and Black

Issue date: 1/23/08 Section: Opinions

Budget your music

Some services offer manageable ways to download music - the choice is yours

With all the crackdowns on illegal music downloading in recent years, the need to stay out of harm's way and (gulp) actually pay for your music is a sobering realization.

Few things occupy the time of college students more than money and music, and both are at the forefront of any discussion about legal music downloading.

Moving to online distribution caters to the changing times, but it also shackles users in what they can do with the music.

Most services have obstacles imbedded in their music files to prevent customers from sharing those files or even burning them to a CD - customs that are all but commonplace to consumers who still value buying hard copies of albums.

Which service is best? It depends on your situation. If you're a Mac-aholic, stick with iTunes. If not, services such as Ruckus, eMusic and Napster all have options that fit (and stretch) your budget.

The point is, record companies are doing the same things that big corporations, politicians and collegiate athletic associations are doing - forgetting about the customer. We know they can't pull a Radiohead and have you name your price for the music you desire, but would it kill them to work together and do what's best for the consumer?

We're paying a steep price for easy downloading that isn't so easy. True, it's better than losing at least $3,000 to the RIAA. But it seems like the record companies handcuff you anyway.

Don't you just love technology?

- Phillip Kisubika for the editorial board

Volunteer to respect

Athens Habitat turns 20 and should inspire students to help the community

This year marks the 20th anniversary of Athens Area Habitat for Humanity, and Spencer Frye, the executive director, praised the contributions of University students to the organization.

More University students should take time to do what many already do: participate in the local community.

Groups such as Housing for Housing, UGA Habitat and some Greek organizations are very active with Habitat for Humanity, and many other student organizations serve the community in other ways.

The majority of University students are not originally from Athens and are not likely to stay after graduation, so it is important to show the permanent residents of our foster community that we aren't just rowdy partiers who invade downtown every weekend.

Athens-Clarke County is one of the poorest counties in the state and many of its residents depend on the help that comes from student organizations.

It is true that most students do not own local property or register to vote here, but seeing as we spend an average of four years in town, it is our responsibility to try to improve the world around us.

During our stay, we should respect those who who live here permanently and do what we can to improve the area for the future.

- Melanie McNeely for the editorial board

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