technical question, please

I know somebody on this list will be able to answer this question
quickly. Recently I purchased a couple of items on iTunes (the first
time I have done this since I do not use an iPod).

I was sorry to find that the files are in .m4p format, which is,
apparently a proprietary DRM-protected scheme that keeps control of
the music in the hands of Apple and which also, unfortunately, means
that one cannot play the iTunes purchases on anything other than an
iPod.

I'm sure other people here have had some experience with this.

Since I like to play .mp3 files on my *phone* and do not want another
device, particularly a white iPod with telltale white earbuds that
will lead to a nice mugging on the subway... :) I was thinking of
purchasing a utility that could convert the dreaded .m4p to .mp3
files.

There apparently is a utility called "Noteburner" that does this.
Any good? Anything else? I don't want something "piratey" that's
going to mess up my computer with weird code or anything... :)

I also feel a bit like a cheat. Should I be defeating this "copy
protection..."

Signed, Dear Abby...

Any help will be appreciated...

Joseph Pehrson

At 02:59 PM 5/12/2007, you wrote:
>I know somebody on this list will be able to answer this question
>quickly. Recently I purchased a couple of items on iTunes (the first
>time I have done this since I do not use an iPod).
>
>I was sorry to find that the files are in .m4p format, which is,
>apparently a proprietary DRM-protected scheme that keeps control of
>the music in the hands of Apple and which also, unfortunately, means
>that one cannot play the iTunes purchases on anything other than an
>iPod.

Mooohahahahaha!!!

-Carl

--- In MakeMicroMusic@yahoogroups.com, Carl Lumma <ekin@...> wrote:
>
> At 02:59 PM 5/12/2007, you wrote:
> >I know somebody on this list will be able to answer this question
> >quickly. Recently I purchased a couple of items on iTunes (the
first
> >time I have done this since I do not use an iPod).
> >
> >I was sorry to find that the files are in .m4p format, which is,
> >apparently a proprietary DRM-protected scheme that keeps control
of
> >the music in the hands of Apple and which also, unfortunately,
means
> >that one cannot play the iTunes purchases on anything other than
an
> >iPod.
>
> Mooohahahahaha!!!
>
> -Carl
>

***Hi Carl,

Do you care to translate? Is this an expression of accolade or
approbrium (lemonade...)??

JP

>***Hi Carl,
>
>Do you care to translate? Is this an expression of
>accolade or approbrium (lemonade...)??
>
>JP

I work at Apple. Suckers like you are making me rich!

Just kidding. Remarkably, iTunes should be going DRM-free
like this year or next or something. I have no inside
information about this at all, so don't hold me to it.

In the meantime, you should as always try everything
available to crack the DRM. Don't be a sucker!

There are a variety of tools that let you do this, and
they go back and forth with Apple's iTunes updates as
to whether they work or not. I haven't followed it.
A good overview is here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FairPlay

I think the solution that works with iTunes 7 is

http://hymn-project.org/download.php

-Carl

That's a sinister laugh. "You've fallen into the DRM trap, moohahahaha"

Most recording software can record "what you hear" so just set the
recorder recording and start the music playing and capture it that way. It
may not give you a perfect digital recording, but should be pretty clean.

> --- In MakeMicroMusic@yahoogroups.com, Carl Lumma <ekin@...> wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>> Mooohahahahaha!!!
>>
>> -Carl
>>
>
> ***Hi Carl,
>
> Do you care to translate? Is this an expression of accolade or
> approbrium (lemonade...)??
>
> JP
>
>

--
http://DoctorOakroot.com - Rough-edged songs on homemade GIT-tars.

One more thing... there's no ethical or legal problem with breaking DRM on
a file you bought for your own use.

> That's a sinister laugh. "You've fallen into the DRM trap, moohahahaha"
>
> Most recording software can record "what you hear" so just set the
> recorder recording and start the music playing and capture it that way. It
> may not give you a perfect digital recording, but should be pretty clean.
>
>> --- In MakeMicroMusic@yahoogroups.com, Carl Lumma <ekin@...> wrote:
>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Mooohahahahaha!!!
>>>
>>> -Carl
>>>
>>
>> ***Hi Carl,
>>
>> Do you care to translate? Is this an expression of accolade or
>> approbrium (lemonade...)??
>>
>> JP
>>
>>
>
>
> --
> http://DoctorOakroot.com - Rough-edged songs on homemade GIT-tars.
>
>

--
http://DoctorOakroot.com - Rough-edged songs on homemade GIT-tars.

At 03:48 PM 5/12/2007, you wrote:
>That's a sinister laugh. "You've fallen into the DRM trap, moohahahaha"
>
>Most recording software can record "what you hear" so just set the
>recorder recording and start the music playing and capture it that way. It
>may not give you a perfect digital recording, but should be pretty clean.

It won't be very clean by the time it's recompressed to get
on his phone.

-Carl

--- In MakeMicroMusic@yahoogroups.com, Carl Lumma <ekin@...> wrote:
>
> >***Hi Carl,
> >
> >Do you care to translate? Is this an expression of
> >accolade or approbrium (lemonade...)??
> >
> >JP
>
> I work at Apple. Suckers like you are making me rich!
>
> Just kidding. Remarkably, iTunes should be going DRM-free
> like this year or next or something. I have no inside
> information about this at all, so don't hold me to it.
>
> In the meantime, you should as always try everything
> available to crack the DRM. Don't be a sucker!
>
> There are a variety of tools that let you do this, and
> they go back and forth with Apple's iTunes updates as
> to whether they work or not. I haven't followed it.
> A good overview is here:
>
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FairPlay
>
> I think the solution that works with iTunes 7 is
>
> http://hymn-project.org/download.php
>
> -Carl
>

***Thanks for all the help, Carl! Actually, I've been reading about
all this in the papers, but it was all rather "abstract" until I
actually tried to work with an .m4p file! Whoops!

Thanks for the tips! Actually, in the "short term" DRM probably made
good business sense for Apple, I would guess... However, in the *long
term...??* As I'm sure the business texts say, irritated customers
are not good return buyers...

JP

>***Thanks for all the help, Carl! Actually, I've been reading about
>all this in the papers, but it was all rather "abstract" until I
>actually tried to work with an .m4p file! Whoops!
>
>Thanks for the tips! Actually, in the "short term" DRM probably made
>good business sense for Apple, I would guess... However, in the *long
>term...??* As I'm sure the business texts say, irritated customers
>are not good return buyers...
>
>JP

I used to think Apple was very evil for doing all the DRM.
But if we successfully switch to non-DRM, one could view
it as a great act of good -- first bring the record labels
to the table, then coax them to allow DRM-free sales.

Steve J's recent open letter about 'why not ditch DRM
altogether?' could mean he agrees with me about open content.
Or maybe he agrees with you about long-term customer
satisfaction. Or maybe he was trying to get out of several
lawsuits with European governments -- in some countries, it
may be illegal to sell people music that only works with your
music player! Or maybe all three. Anyway, it seems to
have worked, and soon EMI will be offerring higher-quality,
DRM-free tracks for $1.29 apiece. Other labels may follow.

By the way, there are places to buy DRM-free music. First
and foremost to mind are

http://www.magnatune.com

http://www.emusic.com

I highly recommend both of these companies!!!! Magnatune
is just awesome, but their selection is a bit limited (though
they have a lot of classical and early music). Emusic has
picked up more on the indie rock end of things.

-Carl

--- In MakeMicroMusic@yahoogroups.com, Carl Lumma <ekin@...> wrote:
>
> >***Thanks for all the help, Carl! Actually, I've been reading
about
> >all this in the papers, but it was all rather "abstract" until I
> >actually tried to work with an .m4p file! Whoops!
> >
> >Thanks for the tips! Actually, in the "short term" DRM probably
made
> >good business sense for Apple, I would guess... However, in the
*long
> >term...??* As I'm sure the business texts say, irritated
customers
> >are not good return buyers...
> >
> >JP
>
> I used to think Apple was very evil for doing all the DRM.
> But if we successfully switch to non-DRM, one could view
> it as a great act of good -- first bring the record labels
> to the table, then coax them to allow DRM-free sales.
>
> Steve J's recent open letter about 'why not ditch DRM
> altogether?' could mean he agrees with me about open content.
> Or maybe he agrees with you about long-term customer
> satisfaction. Or maybe he was trying to get out of several
> lawsuits with European governments -- in some countries, it
> may be illegal to sell people music that only works with your
> music player! Or maybe all three. Anyway, it seems to
> have worked, and soon EMI will be offerring higher-quality,
> DRM-free tracks for $1.29 apiece. Other labels may follow.
>
> By the way, there are places to buy DRM-free music. First
> and foremost to mind are
>
> http://www.magnatune.com
>
> http://www.emusic.com
>
> I highly recommend both of these companies!!!! Magnatune
> is just awesome, but their selection is a bit limited (though
> they have a lot of classical and early music). Emusic has
> picked up more on the indie rock end of things.
>
> -Carl
>

***Thanks for pointing me towards these, Carl! There are so many out
there... I've been reading reviews but still, outside of the
ubiquitous iTunes, I don't "have a clue."

I'm also wondering about these sites that gather .mp3s from,
apparently, millions of users. Can these sites "creep into" my
computer and sniff around for stuff? Just curious...

JP

>I'm also wondering about these sites that gather .mp3s from,
>apparently, millions of users. Can these sites "creep into" my
>computer and sniff around for stuff? Just curious...

I've never heard of anyone maliciously steeling mp3s, but
technically it is possible if you have a security problem.
Usually they want your credit card information, e-mail
addresses of your friends, stuff like that. But if you
have a late-model setup and are reasonably diligent with
how you use it, in all likelihood you have nothing to
worry about. The services that let people share mp3s
are usually voluntary in some way.

-Carl

Those sites usually work by scouring blogs and other websites to find links to MP3 files; that is, they only list things that are already publicly visible. So I wouldn't worry.

- Dave

Joseph Pehrson wrote:
> I'm also wondering about these sites that gather .mp3s from, > apparently, millions of users. Can these sites "creep into" my > computer and sniff around for stuff? Just curious...
> > JP

--- In MakeMicroMusic@yahoogroups.com, Carl Lumma <ekin@...> wrote:
>
> >I'm also wondering about these sites that gather .mp3s from,
> >apparently, millions of users. Can these sites "creep into" my
> >computer and sniff around for stuff? Just curious...
>
> I've never heard of anyone maliciously steeling mp3s, but
> technically it is possible if you have a security problem.
> Usually they want your credit card information, e-mail
> addresses of your friends, stuff like that. But if you
> have a late-model setup and are reasonably diligent with
> how you use it, in all likelihood you have nothing to
> worry about. The services that let people share mp3s
> are usually voluntary in some way.
>
> -Carl
>

***Hi Carl,

Thanks for your prompt response. I was actually more concerned about
just the idea that somebody could have access to my computer and
sniff around for all kinds of files... not just .mp3's. Most of
those they can take... :) Maybe I'm just being paranoid? I'm happy
to see you're online 24/7. That's very helpful... :)

JP

--- In MakeMicroMusic@yahoogroups.com, Dave Seidel <dave@...> wrote:
>
> Those sites usually work by scouring blogs and other websites to find
> links to MP3 files; that is, they only list things that are already
> publicly visible. So I wouldn't worry.
>
> - Dave
>
> Joseph Pehrson wrote:
> > I'm also wondering about these sites that gather .mp3s from,
> > apparently, millions of users. Can these sites "creep into" my
> > computer and sniff around for stuff? Just curious...
> >
> > JP
>

***Thanks, Dave! That's news to me!

JP

Joe,

{you wrote...}
>I was actually more concerned about just the idea that somebody could have access to my computer and sniff around for all kinds of files... not just .mp3's.

Since you use the Internet, you DO have a firewall and security software set up on your computer, don't you?

Cheers,
Jon

--- In MakeMicroMusic@yahoogroups.com, Jon Szanto <jszanto@...> wrote:
>
> Joe,
>
> {you wrote...}
> >I was actually more concerned about just the idea that somebody
could have access to my computer and sniff around for all kinds of
files... not just .mp3's.
>
> Since you use the Internet, you DO have a firewall and security
software set up on your computer, don't you?
>
> Cheers,
> Jon
>

***Hi Jon!

Hmmm... I guess Zone Alarm Pro would take care of this eventuality...
or at least *warn* me of it... I'm just getting paranoid...

JP

--- In MakeMicroMusic@yahoogroups.com, "Joseph Pehrson"
<jpehrson@...> wrote:
>
> --- In MakeMicroMusic@yahoogroups.com, Jon Szanto <jszanto@> wrote:
> >
> > Joe,
> >
> > {you wrote...}
> > >I was actually more concerned about just the idea that somebody
> could have access to my computer and sniff around for all kinds of
> files... not just .mp3's.
> >
> > Since you use the Internet, you DO have a firewall and security
> software set up on your computer, don't you?
> >
> > Cheers,
> > Jon
> >
>
>
> ***Hi Jon!
>
> Hmmm... I guess Zone Alarm Pro would take care of this
eventuality...
> or at least *warn* me of it... I'm just getting paranoid...
>
> JP
>

***Jon...

While we're at it. Do you use any particular service for .mp3
downloads? Do you use iTunes for .m4ps??

Tx!

JP