University Offers Legal Music Downloads
by Sean Maroney

UNC-CH freshman Sarah Waugh is one of more than 1,100 students trying to decide the best way to download music legally.
A week ago, the University began sponsoring a trial period of four music providers: Ruckus Network, Napster, Rhapsody and Cdigix. Student Body President Matt Calabria said students should take advantage of what the University is offering.

“We’re allowed to use what are generally the premium services for the various service providers,” said Calabria.

But limits do exist. The providers are offering tethered downloads, meaning you can only listen to songs for free. If you want to download a song in order to put it on a compact disc or a portable player such as an iPod, you must purchase it through the provider.

Jeanne Smythe, UNC-CH’s director for computing policy, said this period will determine whether the University adopts discounted downloads.

“I feel that if it’s something that the students really enjoy and buy into, and if it’s affordable, that it could be something that is an enhancement to student life at Carolina,” said Smythe.

Smythe also said off-campus students are not eligible because of technology limitations. She said the University plans to resolve these issues, but that she is hesitant to say when.

Waugh said no one on campus should miss this opportunity.

“I think it’s definitely worth trying it out to see how well you like it,” said Waugh.

To help determine which music provider is right for you, visit each provider’s online tutorial by clicking on its name -- Napster, Rhapsody, Ruckus Network and cDigix.