subject: The History of Music Downloads [print this page] When music became digitised in the advent of the CD, not many people predicted just how this would affect the online world once the internet got well and truly going, but it is because of CDs and their distinct ability to quickly and easily have their data transferred onto computers and then online that the online music industry is so huge.
When CDs first entered general circulation in the 80s as an alternative - then a replacement - to cassette tapes and vinyl, many music consumers made the switch reluctantly. After all, CDs included all of the same stuff as cassette tapes but were far more expensive and bulkier, so what was the real benefit of buying them other than being able to skip tracks?
However, this was before home computers and, of course, the internet were really starting to blossom. With CDs came the opportunity to upload your music onto your computer - which could be where the first type of file sharing began, as people swapped CDs, popped the tracks onto their PCs, then handed the hardware back.
It wasn't until people found ways to quickly upload their music to the web that file sharing truly took off, though. As soon as people realised that the high quality of the tracks on CDs were ideally suited to being used as computer files, the online downloading scene took off with a squeal. Programmes such as Napster, the most famous, if not the first large scale music downloading service began, and so did the world of illegal music downloads.
Illegal music downloads were impossible to stop, and even after the closure of Napster, other programmes sprung up in its place and the crimes continued. It wasn't until the industry realised it was fighting a losing battle that it changed tack and began to offer its own downloading services - this time legal - that it, too, began to realise the benefits offered by online downloads for customers. Now all sorts of companies offer legal, permitted downloads of music for a price that is definitely more agreeable than the days of costly CD prices back in the 90s!
The world of music downloading has - and will continue to - evolve, as now people can easily pay for and instantly receive music files through reputable programmes. Now, some initiatives are even allowing people to make charity donations when they buy music online - which is undoubtedly a long and welcome step away from the world of illegal downloads!
