snapshot 2/22/08

Firefox crosses 500 million download mark
t's an arbitrary but interesting milestone for the open-source Web browser, whose development is overseen by Mozilla but that's also developed and extended by a large number of outside programmers. In September 2007, Firefox crossed the 400 million download mark, indicating an average rate a bit shy of 20 million per month at present.


Digital Payment CEO Doesn't Like MySpace's Rumored Free Music Plan
Rumor has it that MySpace will soon join imeem and Last.fm in offering free, ad-supported music from all four major labels, in exchange for revenue split somewhat along the lines of what the site already does with Sony/BMG music videos. Just because the advertising-supported business model has worked for some of the industries that have made the move into the e-content space, like newspapers, for example, doesn't mean that it will necessarily work for the music industry.

Ad-based models typically allow listeners to access the music on specific sites but don¹t allow them to convert, save or download the music. The average on-the-go consumer wants to put it on their iPod, have it in their stereo, and play it in settings where they may not have Internet access ­ without a download option and combined with the additional annoyance of short advertising clips, listeners are going to turn to other music providers, even if it isn't free.

The rumored MySpace ad-based site is an interesting idea in theory, but in order to draw in enough unique visitors to make it worthwhile for the record companies, I think ultimately a combined ad-based and priced model will be more successful. Allowing users to listen on the site with ads and also providing the option to download for a fee will combine the best features of both options. The bottom line is that while free music is nice, people want music when, and how, they want it, and ad-based models can't provide that experience.


Black Crowes Prime March 4th Release With Internet Blitz
he Black Crowes are releasing “Warpaint” their first new album in 7 years on March 4th and heading out on tour. To get their fans juiced up they’re blitzing the net with new content on their pages on Myspace, Facebook, video on YouTube, a new single “Goodbye Daughters Of The Revolution,” a widget plus a “countdown to release date” ticker on their web site.