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Choosing the Right Internet Download Service

Across the Internet, you'll find many types of download services. These services let you download all types of content, from music and games to various software programs. Many offer free services, some of which are legitimate and some of which are illegal and can seriously damage your computer.
 

When deciding which download service to use, it's wise to spend some time researching and wading through the download service options. You'll want to look at various services' subscription rates, one-time fees and terms of use.

Types of Download Services

On the Internet, you'll find a number of download services. Whether you want to download the latest computer game, the hottest new song or a classic movie, there's a download service for you.

In general, you'll find a full range of download services for every aspect of entertainment and computer enjoyment, including:

  • games
  • movies
  • music
  • ringtones
  • software suites.

Free Downloads & Legal Issues

While a lot of download services require you to become a member and pay a fee to download content, others offer downloads for free. Free download services often feature great content that's in the public domain. If a work is in the public domain, you don't have to worry about copyright infringement. In addition, some artists and groups place their music online at no charge to create interest or simply as an altruistic measure.

When taking advantage of free downloads, however, you should always read the Terms of Service (TOS) and make sure you are dealing with a legitimate site. Downloading illegal content could land you in a lot of legal trouble and could damage your computer.

Copyright is a huge issue that legally places limits on what you can and should download. Some sites simply do not respect the work of artists and production companies and offer illegal content to users.

If you're downloading content that has not been publicly released or if you are downloading content on a peer-to-peer network, you are probably in violation of copyright laws. When researching sites, it's important to understand what content you're receiving, regardless of whether it's free or costs money.

Choosing a Site for Downloading

When choosing a download service, you will need to consider several factors:
  • Platform is the biggest consideration. Most entertainment services cater to the PC crowd, with fewer offering downloads for Macintosh and fewer, if any, offering downloads for Linux. Be sure the download is compatible with the operating system on your computer. Specific browsers may also be required for downloads.

  • Quality based on resolution will vary. Some offer low-end viewing for portable devices, which are unusable or produce distorted images on full-sized monitors. Even high-end resolution may degrade when connected to a TV.

  • Selection is a major part of choosing an online subscription service. Be sure the company has licensing rights to the types of movies, music and games you like.

  • Usage terms vary greatly and will depend on the level of service for which you pay. For example, while you may be able to play a movie on multiple players, other files may only be accessible on the device you downloaded it on. The ability to burn a disk is another factor. Find out the limitations of DRM (Digital Rights Management) as well. This impacts usage flexibility.

Popular Game Download Sites

People of all ages are fanatic about games, and many sites and services cater to gamers. While you can download some games for free, you may end up paying more than $50 to download others. Some gaming sites also offer movies as an added bonus.

Popular sites for game downloads include:
  • Gamespot
  • Gamezone
  • HotGames
  • Yahoo! Games.

Popular Movie Download Sites

Before you sign up for a movie subscription site, consider the site's selection. Most likely, you'll want to use a site that offers movies in a variety of genres. Many movie download sites charge either a monthly subscription rate or a fee per download.

Here are some well-known movie download sites:

  • Amazon Unbox
  • CinemaNow
  • iTunes
  • Movielink.

Popular Music Download Sites

The best music download sites offer unlimited downloads for a fee, usually on a monthly basis. You can expect to pay anywhere from $5 to $20 for a monthly subscription. You can also purchase individual tracks on a pay-per-song basis through many services for about $1.

Many top music services offer free trial periods and refunds if you're not pleased. Here are some top sites for music downloads:
  • e-Music
  • iTunes
  • MusicMatch
  • Napster
  • Rhapsody.

Popular Ringtone Download Sites

The demand for ringtone download services continues to rise. When searching for sites, look for ease of use, competitive pricing and good sound quality. Because you may want to change your ringtone regularly, consider choosing a site with a well-organized wide selection.

Here are some popular ringtone download sites:
  • Blinko
  • Dadamobile
  • Funmobile
  • Rockinringer.

Typically you can also get ringtone downloads from your cell phone service provider.

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