Out side of college radio, it's the only way for me to hear new stuff. I guess I tend to fall into #2. Since the rips are free, you get what you pay for (i.e., the rip quality is generally poor). If it's worth buying the music, I'll buy it. Else, I forward it to my brother. I know he likes free music without having to pay for it (he falls into #1). But I've been known to keep a few things around as background music on my $20 computer speakers.
Describe the way you use file sharing
I've had this debate too many times, and wanted to get an opinion from others. I know this is a totally unobjective crowd on the subject, but where else can i ask the question? Anyway, here it goes:
With file sharing sites, the ones Like Kazaa and Limewire... etc, do you download songs to:
1) prevent yourself from having to buy the cd if the rip is a good quality rip
2) demo a cd before you buy, but definitly buy the cd; or look for new artists before you buy
3) sometimes buy the cd and sometimes don't.
If you fall into category #2, and you find a musician you really liked, would you then be encouraged to buy more of that musician's cds based on your downloads?
With file sharing sites, the ones Like Kazaa and Limewire... etc, do you download songs to:
1) prevent yourself from having to buy the cd if the rip is a good quality rip
2) demo a cd before you buy, but definitly buy the cd; or look for new artists before you buy
3) sometimes buy the cd and sometimes don't.
If you fall into category #2, and you find a musician you really liked, would you then be encouraged to buy more of that musician's cds based on your downloads?