Sharon asks about SpiralFrog
Do you know anything about SpiralFrog and their claim to free legal
downloads?
Our answer
SpiralFrog is a legal music download site. Their income source is
the banner ads on their site; they do not use popups. A majority of the
money earned from advertisers is paid to music publishers and labels so
that you can legally download the music. SpiralFrog does not install
spyware or adware. The ads they do have run from their Website and do
not run on your computer.
They are nearing one million music downloads, including music videos,
and continually adding more content. There is no limit to the number of
songs you can download. But, you are required to register and
install the SpiralFrog download manager. You will also need Windows
Media Player installed. Currently registration is limited to people
living in the USA and Canada. You need to keep your membership active to
continue using the site and to download the songs and videos offered.
You must re-register every 30 days or your
free membership will be canceled. If it is canceled, you can reactivate
any time. All music you download will continue to be licensed and
useable whether you continue your free membership or not.
Files are not compatible with Apple’s iPod or Microsoft Zune player.
However, the songs and videos you download from SpiralFrog will play on
any computer platform capable of running Windows XP or Windows Vista, as
well as all portable devices or cell phones that play WMA (Windows Media
Audio) music files, and have implemented the Windows DRM (Windows Media
Digital Rights Management) support.
This site is reputable and safe to download from. Remember, they are
able to provide legal music downloads because they pay the publishers;
they need you to frequent the pages often (i.e. register every 30 days,
etc) so they can generate enough revenue to operate the site, buy
music/video rights, and make a profit so they can stay in business and
stay on the Web.
You should not be put off by advertisements
on Web sites. Advertising has been paying for many things you take for
granted, like radio and television. You watch network television (ABC,
CBS, NBC, etc.) in exchange for "tolerating" the many commercials-
without those commercials that appear during programs, television would
not be free. Like network television, SpiralFrog hopes you will
tolerate the advertising on its site - it pays for all those free music
and video downloads they offer. That's a fair deal, we think.
