Red Dwarf Radio Show on iTunes. Meh.

[Baz]

I see from the latest official site update that the red Dwarf radio shows are now available to download from iTunes as “twin CD” sets.

SO WHY CAN’T I BUY IT AS A SMEGGING TWIN CD SET THEN?

I don’t LIKE downloads. I want something physical in my hand (no sniggering from the back there). So what if it takes up space, so what if it might cost a little more. I’d like the option. If it was there I’d buy the things. As it it I’m just going to let it go the way of the mobile phone animations and not bother.

Sigh.

Topic

[Seb Patrick]

You could always download it and then burn it to a CD…

[Seb Patrick]

(in all seriousness, though, I’d guess the logic is that they simply can’t predict how well it will or won’t do – CDs will cost money to put out, and they can’t be guaranteed to recoup it. It’s a reissue of an audio book of a nearly twenty-year-old tie-in novel for a TV show that hasn’t been on the air this decade. It’s the very definition of “niche”. Maybe if it sells well on iTunes, a physical reissue might be more forthcoming…)

[Phil]

I kind of hear where Baz is coming from. I know it’s just a matter of commercial uncertainty that’s keeping them from being released on physical CDs in shops, but I like to have a physical reminder of my purchase, something tangible to put on a shelf or a rack somewhere…

Also, too much can go wrong with downloads–it’s too easy to lose them. I have a lot of digital music, but it all comes from physical CDs. I have backups. They’re in no danger.

And, yeah, I could burn them to a CD, but CDs have a limited lifespan before their layers cease to hold themselves together, and something burned on a home computer has a lifespan much shorter.

I’d like to hear them, but how often will I listen to them? Owning a CD set is more appealing to me than paying for the data itself. It’s not a shot against the product, it’s just the way my buying habits work.

Is it better that it’s being released in this format than not at all? Well, of course. Yeah. Because a lot of people don’t mind and they are going to love it. But there are definitely going to be a few who would rather have something in a case, with a nice little booklet or something, rather than a Memorex CD on a spindle somewhere with DWARF RADIO THING written on it in black marker.

[Seb Patrick]

>Also, too much can go wrong with downloads?it?s too easy to lose them.

I don’t use iTunes, but I would be very surprised if your downloads aren’t associated with your account – in other words, once you’ve paid for them, you can download them any time if they accidentally get deleted or you have to clear space…

[Phil]

>once you?ve paid for them, you can download them any time if they accidentally get deleted or you have to clear space?

This may be true…I DO use iTunes, but, as I say, I don’t buy music from it, I just rip stuff from my CDs.

Anyone know for sure?

[Ian Symes]

I don’t care that they’re download-only rather than on CDs. Obviously, a CD release would be great, but people (not just in this thread) seem to be suffering from the old delusion that GNP can just decide “let’s release a CD!” and it’ll be in the shops the next day.

The thing that bothers me is that there’s no alternative to using iTunes. I don’t have iTunes, and I don’t want its fat, bloated, DRMed face anywhere near my aged and fragile computer. Why can’t I buy the shows anywhere else? I am willing to pay money for this product, but an unable to. Which is a bit rubbish.

[Andrew]

> unable
> I don?t want

Which is it?

[Jonathan Capps]

> Which is it?

Er… isn’t it both since they refer to different things? Unable to buy Red Dwarf goods, and doesn’t want to use iTunes. The point is those two things shouldn’t really be clashing.

[Andrew]

If you have a computer that’s capable of running iTunes – which is free – then you’re capable of owning the product. You’re not unable, you’re just unwilling to purchase from a certain source using a certain format.

“I want to watch Bodysnatcher but I do not wish to own a DVD player…”

[Seb Patrick]

But iTunes uses a proprietary format, and forces you to install certain things you don’t necessarily want. Some of us don’t want to be forced to have a specific piece of software managing our music collections – we’re not morons, we’d like to be allowed to do it ourselves, thanks. And in order to buy stuff from them, I don’t see why you should have to install their incredibly resource-hungry software. So that’s the objection that many people have to iTunes, and why a lot of us prefer to get our music through other means.

And if your computer doesn’t have the power to run iTunes (and it really does have a massive footprint compared to Winamp or even WMP), then you ARE unable to own the product. And this is disappointing.

[Phil]

>people (not just in this thread) seem to be suffering from the old delusion that GNP can just decide ?let?s release a CD!? and it?ll be in the shops the next day.

Yeah, that’s why I made a point of claiming my knowledge of the exact opposite. For me, no, I don’t believe it’s a matter of GNP choosing the wrong format. I know that not every format is a viable option, and I’m personally glad they’re out there. I won’t be buying them because it’s not a format I’ve embraced yet and my listening habits don’t include it.

>You?re not unable, you?re just unwilling to purchase from a certain source using a certain format.

Well, sure, but that’s a right the consumer has. I want to play The Legend of Zelda: The Phantom Hourglass but I don’t want to buy a DS. I’m not bemoaning the lack of cross-platform release, but it’s not anybody’s responsibility to adopt a format into their lives for the sake of one or two things that interest them.

I understand that GNP can’t go for omni-format release. That’s okay. I don’t mind that. And, again, I want to stress that I’m glad they’re out there…just as I’m glad Zelda exists in many forms that I’ll never even get to play. But the fact is one format brings with it one circle of consumers, and another format brings with it a different circle. There’s overlap, sure, and maybe lots of it, but it’s a differernt circle all the same.

[Andrew]

> Some of us don?t want

> Well, sure, but that?s a right the consumer has

I’m not disagreeing with any of that. I’m just saying that’s a choice. Getting iTunes, buying the books, burning then uninstalling is, generally, an option – that’s all I’m saying. “Don’t want to” isn’t the same as “can’t”. I’m not arguing the iTunes thing one way or the other, because it’s a tedious debate at the best of times. But it IS a smart way for a small company to dip a toe in the water.

Is it the anti-Apple/whatever that’s preventing G&T from supporting the release?

[Seb Patrick]

Hey, I’m in support of the release, I don’t think there’s a general G&T line against it – and as I said earlier in the thread, I can certainly see why it’s a sensible option. But I was more just backing up Ian’s point about iTunes in general, and why there are those of us who don’t want to let the software anywhere near our computers. I’ve got the audiobooks, so it’s a moot point for me anyway, I probably wouldn’t be buying it whatever. But I certainly think a digital release is a good idea, and I can’t see any reason not to support it.

[Andrew]

> Is it the anti-Apple/whatever that?s preventing G&T from supporting the release?

Sorry, before that comes across wrong – I’m genuinely asking. It ain’t my job any more, but I’m actually curious.

[pfm]

> I want to play The Legend of Zelda: The Phantom Hourglass but I don?t want to buy a DS.

Id est, you are a foolish man.

[Andrew]

> I don?t think there?s a general G&T line against it

It’s just…three G&T runners have posted in the discussion, yet there’s been no real coverage of the first Dwarf digital audio release.

> I was more just backing up Ian?s point about iTunes in general

But I was never debating that point. My only query was over the way people who don’t want to do something sometimes say they CAN’T do something, and I was curious as to if that was hyperbole or literal fact.

[Seb Patrick]

It was supposed to be getting written up a while back, I think. But various people have been busy with various things, and I think it ended up slipping by us a bit (I also think it was going to be part of a bigger roundup of stuff). Like the anniversary article. Or doing more Dwarfcasts. Or that kind of thing. It’s been a bit of a difficult time for article-writing lately, for one reason and another…

[Dave]

I’m glad it’s available.

I’m less than glad that it’s not available on a physical shiny scratchable medium that I use.

[Andrew]

> Like the anniversary article. Or doing more Dwarfcasts. Or that kind of thing.

Well, of course, stuff happens! Like I say, it was just the way everyone has time to do an anti-Apple rant in the comments that surprised me. (The Anniversary article was 3 months ago, and the Dwarfcasts were recorded long ago…given the naming of the Dwarfcasts, and their lack of iTunes availability, I assumed a motive.)

[Phil]

>I?m just saying that?s a choice. Getting iTunes, buying the books, burning then uninstalling is, generally, an option

You’re right, but this factors into the investment required for the purchase. It’s more than just a monetary issue; in addition to the question of “is it worth my money?” you now have to ask yourself the related question of “is it worth my time?” Buying a CD takes no time at all…but if you intend to download iTunes, register an account, make a transaction, download your purchase, burn your purchase to an audio CD and uninstall the iTunes software…well, that’s a very real process, and you’d have to reeeeeeeeally want something to go through all that just to get it.

I’m not saying your point is without merit…you’re right. People CAN do it. But it’s a question of worth, and value, and the fact is that people may be turned off by what seems to be–and in this case is–an excessive series of obligations.

>everyone has time to do an anti-Apple rant in the comments

I’d imagine that a quick “rant” of two or three sentences can be tossed off while doing other things, or on a short break at work or something…whereas it takes actual time and focus to sit down and write a news article about something.

I can only speak for myself, but I post a lot here while I’m at work…yet anything of merit I contribute to NTS usually happens on a day off, when I have several hours to just sit and consider what it is I’d like to say, and how to say it.

Also, I don’t think it’s an anti-Apple atmosphere around here! I’m hugely pro-Apple (based on personal experience, mind…not trends) and I know John’s a big fan of his Mac Mini…

I think Seb and Ian–rightly–are just against the selfishness of the iTunes install, which is one of the things Apple pointlessly stole from Microsoft, and therefore they are deserving of the dissatisfaction that goes along with it. That’s not anti-Apple…it’s anti-pointlessness, whomever does it.

An interesting epilogue to this story is that I tried to log on to the iTunes store after work to see if it was available for US download (not everything is) and I got a message saying I couldn’t use the iTunes store anymore unless I upgraded to the newest version of the application. Which doesn’t run on my version of OSX.

So despite the fact that my iTunes store was fully functional before the mandatory upgrade, I’ll need to buy a new computer to use it ever again because iTunes wants to show me awesome videos, or some such bullcrap, that it couldn’t do in the old version. Regardless of whether or not I actually want to see them.

So…I guess we can upgrade my condition from “won’t purchase” to “can’t purchase.”

[Seb Patrick]

>I think Seb and Ian?rightly?are just against the selfishness of the iTunes install, which is one of the things Apple pointlessly stole from Microsoft, and therefore they are deserving of the dissatisfaction that goes along with it. That?s not anti-Apple?it?s anti-pointlessness, whomever does it.

This is a good point… but I am also pretty anti-Apple in general. As is Ian, I think ;-)

[Pheonix11]

I have both books unabridged on cassette. *Ebay love*

Had the Radio show come out on to CD I would have considered buying them.
I have iTunes for my general music listen needs, but I will not be buying from them.

I like to have the disc in my hands.

Another thing, Seb makes a fair point about the risks of putting out an audio book that people may not buy, but don’t a lot of publishers do that?
When I first heard about the re-release my first thought was, Oooo Signing event!
Surely that would generate interest.

Just my thoughts.

YMMV

Phe

[Ian Symes]

This is a good point? but I am also pretty anti-Apple in general. As is Ian, I think ;-)

I’m not. My next computer will probably be a MacBook Pro, if I can afford it. I just don’t like iPods or iTunes.

[Andrew]

> You?re right, but this factors into the investment required for the purchase

Did give the impression that I might not realise that?

> I think Seb and Ian?rightly?are just against the selfishness of the iTunes install,

But I never argued for or against any of that – mainly because we already know what the issues are going to be, and I’m not remotely interested in reading them over and over again. Nothing I asked was along “Why don’t you like iTunes, it’s brilliant!” lines.

[Jonathan Capps]

> given the naming of the Dwarfcasts, and their lack of iTunes availability, I assumed a motive.)

The naming of them was a deliberate attempt to remove the word ‘Pod’, because it’s becoming irritatingly ubiquitous, but the iTunes feed (and, indeed, a plain XML feed) is just a matter of us not getting round to it yet.

[Phil]

>Did give the impression that I might not realise that?

Well, you rattled off a fairly convoluted way for somebody to end up with the files but not have iTunes sitting on their computer, which, as I pointed out, is possible, yes. People CAN do it. But can you expect them to do it? People can build an automobile from the ground up and probably save a lot of money in the process. But it’s an investment of time, as well, which, I reckon, is why most people buy them premade. We CAN do it…but we don’t. For a lot of us, the effort isn’t worth it. You can’t expect that the effort of download/registration/purchase/download/burn/uninstall is going to attract many people who don’t want iTunes. And though I wasn’t trying to sound snarky before, in answer to your question, no, you did not specifically give an indication that you realized this.

>But I never argued for or against any of that

Your question was: Is it an anti-Apple sentiment that keeps G+T from endorsing this release?

My answer was: No, I don’t think there is one (apart from Seb, I can say now ;-), but people are concerned about introducing a program like iTunes to their computer.

[Andrew]

> But can you expect them to do it?

But I wasn’t issuing it as a suggestion! It wasn’t my counter-argument for people who don’t like iTunes. My question was “Is it can’t or won’t?” Literally, that was it. To one person, to Ian. And yet you keep replying with another “And here’s why that’s a bad suggestion, and here’s why people don’t like iTunes.” None of which comes close to answering the question – you’re defending an assertion I never made in the first place.

Do you see me on the other side of the iTunes debate? Have I weighed in with the debate on its qualities? Have I suggested anyone not using it is being unreasonable? You’re arguing a point that’s not in contention with someone who never pitched a suggestion in the first place.

> Your question was: Is it an anti-Apple sentiment that keeps G+T from endorsing this release?
>
> My answer was: No, I don?t think there is one (apart from Seb, I can say now ;-), but people are concerned about introducing a program like iTunes to their computer.

Given the the question came from seeing the posted dislike of iTunes, did I give any indication that I needed the second part explaining?

[Phil]

>My question was ?Is it can?t or won?t?? Literally, that was it. To one person, to Ian. And yet you keep replying

With my opinion, yeah. That’s all it is…and it’s okay. More than one person is allowed to respond to things! No matter what Tonguetied may have tried to teach us…

>Given the the question came from seeing the posted dislike of iTunes, did I give any indication that I needed the second part explaining?

Given that this is a discussion board read by more than the two people who may happen to be conversing at any given time, is there any reason I should have NOT explained what I was trying to say? ;-)

I hate to say it, man, but seriously, don’t get defensive! My comments have been pretty general, on the whole. I’m brainstorming this thing as much as anyone…you shouldn’t interpret a post I make in reference to something you say to mean that I think you’re a bonehead who needs everything laid out before him.

That’s not the case.

It’s a discussion board. I’m bringing my end of the discussion in an overall general sense, for everyone to read, for everyone to interpret, and for everyone to agree/disagree with as they see fit. They’re not shots at you and they’re not disrespectful…don’t interpret them to be!

[Andrew]

So a simple “Sorry Andrew, I thought you were saying people should just download the thing and uninstall when they’re done” is going to be too much for you?

Go on, admit you misunderstood. :-)

[Phil]

Well, no, there wasn’t a misunderstanding–I knew you were saying it was something people theoretically COULD do as opposed to SHOULD do, and I addressed that above–but if you got your feelings hurt or thought I was attacking you personally in any way, then yes, of course I apologize.

[Seb Patrick]

This thread makes my head hurt.

[Pete Part Three]

My balls hurt.

[Andrew]

Just seemed like a contradiction between this:

“I knew you were saying it was something people theoretically COULD do as opposed to SHOULD do”

And this:

“You can?t expect that the effort of download/registration/purchase/download/burn/uninstall is going to attract many people who don?t want iTunes. And though I wasn?t trying to sound snarky before, in answer to your question, no, you did not specifically give an indication that you realized this.”

So, for the record – of COURSE I realise that’s not an attractive option, especially when compared to a click-to-buy, and especially for people who don’t want iTunes in the first place. Of COURSE I’m aware that it’s labour intensive and inconvenient. And of COURSE I don’t expect people to actually do that, or find it attractive. Not sure how it came across any other way. But apparently it did.

Anyway, yeah, enough. I apologise for…well, that.

[Phil]

I NOMINATE THIS THREAD FOR HALL OF SHAME STATUS.

[John Hoare]

For the record – I was supposed to write the article about this. I’ve not got round to it yet – I have an unfinished draft here – but it’s my incompetence that’s stopped there being an article, nothing else. To the point where I’ve told everyone “Don’t write anything about it, as I’ve got an unfinished draft here”. Completely my fault, but I agree that G&T should have covered it ages ago, and it’s slightly pathetic that we haven’t done it.

[John Hoare]

I don?t have iTunes, and I don?t want its fat, bloated, DRMed face anywhere near my aged and fragile computer.

But iTunes uses a proprietary format,

Actually, the audiobooks are sold as iTunes Plus tracks. Which means – no DRM. They’re sold as unprotected AAC files, which is not an Apple format, and have no more patent issues than MP3 files.

There is a myth that iTunes only sells files with DRM, but with the introduction of iTunes Plus, this just isn’t the case any more.

[Leelu]

Ah! That’s a useful bit of info. Thanks, John. For me at least it makes the idea of dipping a novice toe into iTunes for the sake of having the RD radio plays a more likely prospect. :)

And no, I’m not making a comment about liking iTunes/Apple/etc. or not. Just like eBay, it’s thanks to my interest in RD that I may start using the iTunes site too.

[Mr Flibble]

If you have a Mac and an iPod, iTunes is great. If you haven’t, regardless of iTunes Plus, it’s a bit of a pain.

But if it’s DRM free on iTunes, you only have to go on there to buy it, so I can’t see a big issue really – it’s better than GNP selling it through their own site as lots of people have iTunes accounts anyway.

Thankfully I have a Mac and an iPod, so I don’t need to worry about the other stuff.

[Ian Symes]

I’d have no issues with buying DRM-free things from iTunes if there was just a website I could use to do so. I really don’t see why such a thing doesn’t exist. I’d happily give Apple some money if I could do so without downloading their stupid fat-headed software.

[Dave]

This whole thing would have been avoided if they had simply made Red Dwarf Radio Shows available for download and not called them 2CD sets.

[John Hoare]

I agree it would be nice if Apple offered a web gateway for downloading files. The reason they haven’t, I suspect, is because iTunes is needed to manage files with DRM – and non-DRM files were only introduced last year. In all honesty though, there probably hasn’t been enough call from consumers for Apple to implement a web gateway – most people seem happy enough using iTunes.

(I can’t really speak either way, to be honest. I specifically used a Creative Zen player because I wanted to use it as a normal USB drive with my RISC OS machine, and so manually copying files is just what I’ve got used to. But I’m definitely buying a iPhone later this year because I fell in love with it after using one, and it does nearly everything I want it to – so I’ll need to use iTunes once I get that. I’ll give an honest appraisal of which method I prefer after I’ve used it for a few months. From what I can tell, each method has its advantages and disadvantages, and it just depends on what suits your workflow.)

It is interesting that Apple is responsible for the near-collapse of DRM for audio files – and this has happened for two reasons. Firstly, direct pressure from Apple – but it would be foolish to ignore the second reason, which is that record companies want to take control away from Apple. And as Apple is the dominant leader in the MP3 player market, the only way record companies can make any headway is by providing files with no DRM at all, at places like the Amazon MP3 Store. If they didn’t do that, then the vast majority of consumers wouldn’t buy the tracks, as they wouldn’t play on iPods.

Certainly, I would never buy an audio file with DRM, so I’m really glad it’s happened. I just wish something similar would happen with video content, but I’m less positive about that one. With the introduction of DVD – or, hell, Macrovision with VHS – DRM is a lot more entrenched with video content than it ever was with audio.

[John Hoare]

Incidentally, I *am* holding off buying the Radio Shows for now – but not for any reasons connected with iTunes. It’s just that I’m really interested in a CD release, and I want to see if that happens first.

And the reason I’m really interested in a CD release is that I’m really interested in OWNING STUFF. I want a CD that I can stick on my shelf. Which is perhaps silly for all sorts of reasons – files are more convenient, and better for the environment if you want to start getting into all that kind of thing, and maybe in 10 years I’ll be so used to buying files online that I won’t give it a second thought. But right now… I’m still in “WANT PHYSICAL STUFF” mode.

[Ben Paddon]

John Hoare did speak…
Incidentally, I *am* holding off buying the Radio Shows for now – but not for any reasons connected with iTunes. It?s just that I?m really interested in a CD release, and I want to see if that happens first.

It won’t.

[Ian Symes]

But I?m definitely buying a iPhone later this year because I fell in love with it after using one, and it does nearly everything I want it to

NO. BAD.

[Seb Patrick]

It does everything you want to? You can’t be bothered about 3G, then. Not to mention the various other things that it won’t do. And if you’re not bothered about the things it can’t do… well, there are a hell of a lot more phones out there that won’t charge you nearly ?200 on top of your contract for the privilege…

[Pete Part Three]

Isn’t 3G coming very soon though? I’m with John (and I’ve always held off buying Ipods), it’s too damn sweet.

[Seb Patrick]

What is sweet about it, though? Seriously? What makes it better than a HTC Touch or a Nokia N95? They can both do a hell of a lot more than the iPhone, and they don’t cost ?200 to boot. Yes, it’s pretty, and yes, it’s got a touchscreen (good luck with the lack of hardware keys if it gets knackered/scratched or your fingers are mucky, mind). But what’s actually special about it that you simply CANNOT get in another phone?

The only differences I can see are aesthetics and marketing. Ooh, it looks pretty. Ooh, Apple have got a load of adverts that suggest that they invented the idea of mixing a phone with a music player and mobile web browser (on that note, this article amused me quite a lot). Riiiight.

[Andrew]

> I specifically used a Creative Zen player because I wanted to use it as a normal USB drive

You can use your iPod as a USB drive as well as a media player.

[Seb Patrick]

Yes, but you can’t play any files that you put on it – you have to use iTunes (or an unofficial third party app) to manage them. I’m guessing that John meant, rather than wanting to also put non-music data on his MP3, he wanted to actually be able to manage his music through Windows Explorer (something I prefer to do, as well) – which an iPod doesn’t let you.

[Ian Symes]

Also, you can only get it on one network, with a very fucking expensive tariff. So as well as the huge cost of the phone itself, you’ve got a monthly burden to the tune of over 50 quid.

[Author]

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