Rexter
YeeHaw
join:2002-11-17
cloud 9
3 edits | Rhapsody forced update unacceptable. Moving on.
In the spirit of disrespect for there users, that gave Real a bad name years ago, Rhapsody is forcing an update that sux even worse than the previous version. It's bloated, crash prone, and won't run on one of my older machines. It kind of reminds me of Musicmatch. I thought Real had got past this kind of control tactic, but apparently not. It's just time for me to move on. The only reason that I started using the crappy Rhapsody software in the first place was because they appeared to be a little more Linux friendly than the other music services. This still may be the case, but it's only true by an inch. I have been a Rhapsody to Go subscriber for about 6 months, and really like the concept of a subscription service that allows me to download the tracks for offline use, or transfer to a portable device. Does itunes or other music services allow you to do this, or do I just need to go back to Limewire?
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With every new wave of optimism, or pessimism, we are ready to abandon history, and time tested principles, but we cling tenaciously and unquestioningly to our prejudices. (Benjamin Graham) |
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Rexter
YeeHaw
join:2002-11-17
cloud 9 | I'm all alone..........
Ha! I take the lack of responses to mean that I was about the only one dumb enough to use Rhapsody in the first place.  |
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Mele20
Premium
join:2001-06-05
Hilo, HI
| I've used Rhapsody off and on ever since its inception about 6 years ago. Comcast users get the Radio free but Road Runner users do not. There is no doubt that Rhapsody has by far the best sound but the support is the worst I have ever encountered...worse than Symantec even. That is why I don't keep it for long. Then six months later I try it again hoping support is improved but support just gets worse if that is possible. Even if the sound is by far the best, I'm not paying $10 a month (especially knowing Comcast users pay nothing) for buggy software that has the worst support ever.
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"The same ferocity that our founders devoted to protect the freedom and independence of the press is now appropriate for our defense of the freedom of the internet. The stakes are the same: the survival of our Republic". Al Gore, The Assault on Reason |
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Rexter
YeeHaw
join:2002-11-17
cloud 9 | What do you like?
What music service do you use now? Do they provide a subscription service that allows you to download tracks for offline use? |
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dadkins
Can you do Blu?
Premium,MVM
join:2003-09-26
Hercules, CA
 ·Comcast
1 edit | reply to Rexter
Re: Rhapsody forced update unacceptable. Moving on.
Linux? No idea.
Music for offline use... that you can do anything you please with:
»applian.com/replay-music/index.php
 
I get/got the Rhapsody Radio Plus free from Comcast.
It doesn't crash, and pretty sure this is the latest one(just checked for update).
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Think outside the Fox... Opera |
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Rexter
YeeHaw
join:2002-11-17
cloud 9
| Rhapsody doesn't run on Linux, neither does any other software of it's kind. itunes, Napster, ect, ect... But Rhapsody has a Firefox extension that allows limited Rhapsody functionality under Linux. That's what I meant "by an inch." I'm always looking for multi-platform software, but for the purpose of this thread, the platform is irrelevant. I'm asking if anyone knows of a flat rate subscription service that allows you to download tracks for offline use like Rhapsody-to-go does. »shop.rhapsody.com/plans/rtg
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With every new wave of optimism, or pessimism, we are ready to abandon history, and time tested principles, but we cling tenaciously and unquestioningly to our prejudices. (Benjamin Graham) |
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jmn1207
Premium
join:2000-07-19
Reston, VA
 ·Verizon FIOS
| You can try Napster, but you'll probably run into the same difficulties. It's basically a requirement to have either the latest versions of Windows Media Player, Internet Explorer, or both to make these types of services work properly.
»www.napster.com/choose/index.html
I believe that Rhapsody uses an IE shell for their application. It's possible to run IE 7 on a Linux machine with a bit of work. Not sure if that would help at all, just throwing some ideas out there for you.
There is also an option to force Rhapsody to output in .wav format rather than the default Direct Sound. (in Rhapsody, shift-ctrl click on Tools and uncheck "DirectSound") This .wav output option was the main reason I kept version 2.1 for so long on my work computer. |
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Rexter
YeeHaw
join:2002-11-17
cloud 9
| Ah cool, I see that Napster has a Java based web interface. It also seems to have about the same music library, and a similar to-go subscription service. Too cool! I'll try them out, until they piss me off, or I find something better! Thanks for the info.
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With every new wave of optimism, or pessimism, we are ready to abandon history, and time tested principles, but we cling tenaciously and unquestioningly to our prejudices. (Benjamin Graham) |
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Rexter
YeeHaw
join:2002-11-17
cloud 9
| reply to Rexter
Napster=good, Rhapsody=bad!
Hey, I just wanted to let everyone know, thanks to the information provided by jmn1207, I've been using Napster for about a week now, and I absolutely love it. The interface is a bit rough, but otherwise it kicks Rhapsody's ass all over the place. The Java web interface is awesome. I can play my music anywhere, on any platform without installing any software. I only need to install the Napster software on the machine that I want to use to transfer music to my MP3 Player. Well, for the one or two other Rhapsody users out there, there is a better service! Just wanted to let you know, and to say thanks to jmn1207.
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With every new wave of optimism, or pessimism, we are ready to abandon history, and time tested principles, but we cling tenaciously and unquestioningly to our prejudices. (Benjamin Graham) |
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lilhurricane
Crunchin' For Cures
Premium,Mod
join:2003-01-11
Purple Zone
clubs: 
·Comcast
Host:
TV over IP
Software
RCN
Inside Insight
Team Discovery
|  So glad you found something you're happy with
Thanks for the follow-up (and thanks jmn1207  |
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gzt7d8
My Little Weiner Schnitzel
Premium
join:2001-07-13
Swartz Creek, MI
·Charter Pipeline
1 edit | reply to Rexter
Re: I'm all alone..........
So what is the new build number on the update? I'm running Rhapsody,now. I was an URGE user until the end of October when they went out of business and we were transferred to Rhapsody.
Rhapsody is ok, but I liked URGE better.
Attached is my build, I haven't checked for an update in a few weeks.
gs
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"It's not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change."
Charles Darwin
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Rexter
YeeHaw
join:2002-11-17
cloud 9
| Yep, that's the new version. My main issue was the forced, no warning update. I understand that the technology is changing, and sometime things will have to change because of whatever. There should have been a warning, or they should have emailed me saying, because of this and this as of such'n such date this version will no longer be able to access Rhapsody music service. But I was shown no such respect. The previous version simply refused to run saying that update was required. Even if I only wanted to use Rhapsody as a jukebox for my MP3's it just refused to run. Well so be it. Real has worked hard to clean up is reputation from this kind of disrespectful behavior, privacy issues, use of spyware ect. But this instance just proves that they haven't quite climbed above it. I've uninstalled all real products. In a few years I'll probably check them out again, but in the mean time there are plenty of better alternatives.
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With every new wave of optimism, or pessimism, we are ready to abandon history, and time tested principles, but we cling tenaciously and unquestioningly to our prejudices. (Benjamin Graham) |
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gzt7d8
My Little Weiner Schnitzel
Premium
join:2001-07-13
Swartz Creek, MI
·Charter Pipeline
| Yes I understand what you're saying. I don't like programs that create huge resources on a PC. That's the reason why I stopped running Real Player a long time ago. It just dragged everything down and besides that there were other issues as you noted.
I agree; we as a customer should have control over updates. I've deliberately shut off automatic updates on many programs that I have just because many of the software providers are always in a rush to get stuff out, but never really test it throughly.
Hope you work things out Rexter!
gs
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"It's not the strongest of the species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change."Charles Darwin |
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Mele20
Premium
join:2001-06-05
Hilo, HI
| reply to Rexter
I'm glad you like Napster. I've tried it and didn't care for it. Sound quality is nothing like Rhapsody. Plus, Rhapsody has the best library for building your radio stations. I don't have portable music players as I hate to listen to music unless it is blaring from all four of my main stereo speakers and computer speakers and I never would wear headphones ....that ruins music IMO. So, I don't listen to music except in my home or auto. Thus, my criteria for a good player is quality of sound and Rhapsody is far better than any other in that regard, library of music available (again Rhapsody is far superior to others), how much support does it need and quality of support.
Rhapsody sucks on the last one.
As for the upgrade without notice, seems to me I recall it always has done that but you can turn it off. It won't play though without the upgrade but it won't silently install either. At least that is what I recall, but I haven't tried it again in a while so maybe I have a faulty memory or it has changed. I wouldn't like a forced update that I couldn't turn off until i manually updated it.
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"The same ferocity that our founders devoted to protect the freedom and independence of the press is now appropriate for our defense of the freedom of the internet. The stakes are the same: the survival of our Republic". Al Gore, The Assault on Reason |
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Rexter
YeeHaw
join:2002-11-17
cloud 9
| I don't notice it as much as you, but you are right. I played the same song one after the other, first Napster, and then Rhapsody. Rhapsody does sound fuller, and clearer. I didn't notice it until you pointed it out, and I did that. Oh well you can't have it all I guess. |
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Dude111
An Awesome Dude
Premium
join:2003-08-04
USA
 ·Time Warner VOIP
2 edits |  reply to Rexter
Re: Rhapsody forced update unacceptable. Moving on.
AOL RUINED REAL NETWORKS!!!!
Its total garbage now!
If you can find the LAST VERSION of Rhapsody BEFORE AOL BOUGHT REAL NETWORKS,i think you will be happy!
I run Realplayer 8 (Last version BEFORE AOL BOUGHT THEM) and i love it
Good luck! |
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Mele20
Premium
join:2001-06-05
Hilo, HI
1 edit | AOL bought Real? And when did this happen? I think you are full of hot air.
Besides, who uses the Real version of Rhapsody? Most folks use listen.com's version. It is much better and it offers the radio alone which the Real version doesn't. Rhapsody radio is the best thing about Rhapsody. That is the reason to get Rhapsody. |
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Rexter
YeeHaw
join:2002-11-17
cloud 9
| reply to Dude111
AOL, did have a music deal with Real, but I don't think they own them. And actually Real was a much shadier company back in the Real Player 8 period. I wouldn't touch it. You need to run some Anti-Spyware apps. Maybe reinstall your OS.
I'll just pass on all Real products for now. I'll re-evaluate my options in a few years.
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With every new wave of optimism, or pessimism, we are ready to abandon history, and time tested principles, but we cling tenaciously and unquestioningly to our prejudices. (Benjamin Graham) |
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Mele20
Premium
join:2001-06-05
Hilo, HI
| But since Real 10 they have been ok. No spyware. In fact, they actually made a really decent privacy policy after all that crap with Real 8. Well, I know you feel the forced upgrade is a privacy violation but to me if it doesn't install without your consent and it won't if you have HIPS or something to stop that or turn off auto updates, then I don't think it is bad that you have to upgrade it as long as you do it.
Yeah, Real and AOL have had deals for 5 or 6 years now but I don't believe AOL owns Real Networks.
I just think the only real bad thing about Rhapsody is the extremely sucky support and the fact that you will need support as it is buggy. Plus, I was unhappy when Real bought listen.com. You still can get a better version of Rhapsody though from Listen even though Listen is now owned by Real.
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"The same ferocity that our founders devoted to protect the freedom and independence of the press is now appropriate for our defense of the freedom of the internet. The stakes are the same: the survival of our Republic". Al Gore, The Assault on Reason |
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Dude111
An Awesome Dude
Premium
join:2003-08-04
USA | reply to Rexter
www.realnetworks.com/company/press/releases/2003/aol.html |
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