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It's All About Choice and Convenience

Tapes and CDs

iStockphoto.com

"The need to hold media that you consume -- the physical purchase -- is going away."

That quote comes from a New York Times article about how choice is driving the way Americans consume media.

The beleaguered recording industry should take note. Says the Times:

"Maybe changing the equation isn't so much a matter of throwing out old media as adjusting to hybrid models that enable an infinite inventory on a digital shelf -- embracing, rather than trying to control, choice."

So ... here's an informal survey:

When was the last time you held a hard copy of a photo you took? Do you still file your pictures into albums, or do you upload to photo-sharing sites like Flickr and Snapfish?

When you rent a movie, is your preference Hollywood Video and Blockbuster ... or Netflix and Blockbuster online delivery?

What was your last music purchase? Did you download it on your computer or go to the store to but it old-school style?

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I love taking digital images and I have a website that I upload all of my photos to, for the most part (I use smugmug). I do, however, print out images from my digital camera as well. I print them for individuals who do not have access to the Internet, yes there are some. So the last time I printed a hard copy of a photo I took was about 2 weeks ago.

I rarely rent movies and if I do I use Blockbuster.

I purchased Erykah Badu's latest relase through the iTunes music store. I don't know when was the last time I purchase a CD, and when I did it was through Amazon.com.

Sent by ernise | 2:30 PM ET | 03-31-2008

I rent my movies through Netflix and, occasionally, I watch online through their site (though I prefer not to...watching movies on my computer screen is not something I've warmed up to as yet.)

I download music (mostly from emusic or Rhapsody) but I do still buy CDs though they mostly come from Amazon. Coincidentally I just had 4 CDs...Alice Smith, Yael Naim, Ayo, and Sara Bareilles...delivered just this afternoon and I'm listening to them as I burn them to my hard drive (I'm heavily into making personal mixes these days.)

I haven't held a hard copy of a photo I've taken in a long, long time...

Sent by Michael K. Willis | 6:50 PM ET | 03-31-2008

I work at a public library and we lend many classic and newly released DVD's to patrons. Our collection city wide is in the tens of thousands. These include feature, foreign, documentary, and educational films. We have an even larger collection of musical CDs. We store vinyl LPs at our central library downtown. They are free to borrow with a library card (the card is free too!) You only pay if you're late returning them. You might not be aware of this, but your state and local taxes fund YOUR libraries. Hurry down to your local public library. It's the only way to go. Sharing resources. What a concept!

Sent by Teresa L Minneapolis | 8:32 PM ET | 03-31-2008



   
   
   
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