Do people still wonder why downloading music became such a craze?

I wonder, though, what would have happened if the equivalent of YouTube had happened before Apple came into the picture. Yes, I know we had Napster, but unlike YouTube it never entered the realm of 'respectibility' and sustainability, and was hounded out of existence (and into a commercial incarnation which is more about competing with Apple than breaking new ground). Besides, the community aspect surrounding the music was never there.

The reason we never got a 'YouTunes', of course, was that the way had not yet been prepared. Napster had to happen first, as did Google (as an exit strategy). Yahoo, MSN and AOL had to grow, too, and form the commercial infrastructure and competition for the small fishies.

I wonder if we COULD still get a YouTunes, even though it seems a bit ass-backwards what with Napster and iTunes already on the scene. I think it's possible. Apple wasn't first with MP3s, either, they just got it right. I don't think we have a music site 'for the people', yet.

I guess I don't get what is so bad about, for example, "Have You Ever Seen the Rain?" or "Smells Like Teen Spirit" or "Hotel California." They are overplayed, but they are great songs. Not all the list are my cup of tea, but why denigrate the songs when it's the programming that you deplore?

Even the songs you love can become the songs you hate after the twenty thousandth iteration.

Charles is right, Dave. That's why I have to change the .mp3 files on the CD I keep in my truck, every so often. There's only 174 tunes on that platter, which I gather is even smaller than the standard Clear Channel playlist.