Restoring MP3s
TCU should lift its ban on Napster

Information Serviceshas doubled the campus’ Internet capacity for the third straight year by increasing the bandwidth that was so instrumental in last year’s decision to ban the use of the popular MP3 Web site, (Napster.com), on campus.

Bandwidth determines the number and size of files the university’s network can handle at any given time.

William Senter, technical services manager, said that although Napster was definitely a bandwidth problem last year, focus has now turned to the legal problems Napster has faced.

It now looks like Napster, with a user base of 57 million, will survive its attack from major record labels and may soon be changing its format to include a small monthly fee.

This fee, which according to USA Today will be $4.95 a month, is likely to take affect as early as June. Napster has not confirmed the date.

Also, the Web site will now have music available only from those record companies with which it can work out a compromise.

Thus far, Napster has secured only the cooperation of BMG and EMI, which BMG is currently in the process of purchasing. Without at least five major labels, the content of Napster is likely to change dramatically.

Still, Napster, once destined for death by its critics, remains at the head of revolution in the music industry.

If Napster is able to survive such an attack from the recording industry and compromise with its biggest opponents, it is time TCU, too, stops the attack.
With increased bandwidth, the campus’ Internet capacity could support Napster better than ever before.

In addition, Napster is likely to lose 30 percent or more of its users when it introduces its monthly fee, according to Webnoise, a market research firm. That said, it is likely that some students will discontinue use of Napster, freeing up even more space in the TCU system.

Therefore, it is time for TCU to release the restrictions put on the use of Napster on campus.

David Edmondson, assistant provost for Information Services, said TCU continues to keep moving technology forward, so why isn’t the university letting the students follow its lead?

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