Well I just signed up and downloaded the free pack, just to find out that I have to use Windows Media Player to even play it. I don't use WMP due to security issues, but fine, I'll give it a try. Wait, I have to log in to listen to the audio that I just rightfully downloaded? Uh, no thanks. Not worth my time.
I am a supporter of Open Source, Creative Commons, and other open movements. But does that mean I expect companies to release things without turning a profit? Absolutely not. I'm taking issue with the tight fisted use of protection schemes. The way I see it, companies that try to force protection schemes on consumers that end up becoming an unnecessary burden, are out of line and will only hurt their businesses, in the long run. They do it, of course, to try to protect themselves, but it's a waste of time. The average consumer has to deal with extra steps and in some cases, incompatibility issues, just to access what they have paid for. Anyone who knows what they are doing, can easily get around the protections and re-release the content freely. So bother your customers and fix nothing? Great plan. With growing competition that let's consumers do as they please, tight fisted companies are in for a world of hurt.
But on to topic. Direct Song wants you to pay money for extra music, for your games. Ok, that's fine and all. But they are trying to limit what you can do with those music files, outside of the game. Anyone else have a problem with that? I'm not going to pay for music that I can't directly use in the manner that I want. I have plenty of musical scores I'd gladly play in the background, instead. So I won't be paying. What about you?
