I don't understand how illegal downloading works!

[hollywood926]

Not that I'm doing it or anything, but I was just wondering how it works. You go on there and find the song you want and then the person who has it has to be online the entire time you are downloading? Is that right?

[kysrsoze]

1. It's a bit more complicated than that

Usually, the user is downloading from a number of sources. Broadband users are online all the time anyway and provide quicker downloads.

I'm OK with downloading for a couple of reasons:

1. It's an easy way to find out what you like, and generally people will go out and buy albums if they like the music. Some people don't pay for anything, but they will always be around.

2. The price of $1 per track for sites like iTunes is outrageous and unfair. When music is available online, there are absolutely no production costs and a fraction of distribution costs. None of that extra profit goes to the artists. A fair price has been estimated to be about $.25 per track. For a dollar per track, I'd rather just buy the whole album.

[BlueJazz]

2. Pretty much so. It's really not much different than having 2...

...computers networked in your Den and sharing files....
I mean, that's the "Big Picture" of the deal.....

[BlueJazz]

3. Before I get jumped on, Hollywood926 ..There's more to it if you ...

...want to go deep into the process.
I'm a MCSE so I could fill your head with a lot of nerd talk but I suspect you just wanted a simple answer.. :)