For an ex-Napster lover like me the preview was interesting but unsurprising. The general impression of 'too little too late' that has been characteristic to the record industry's latest offerings is still there. A comparision to existing free alternatives like WinMX does not give much hope to Napster even if this particular beta tester was somewhat positive about it (which is understandable when you get personally involved in beta testing and perhaps come to know the people who are trying to make the concept/software work).
Of course we must not forget that Napster as it is today is effectively just a brand name belonging to Bertelsmann. There is nothing revolutionary or thrilling about Napster anymore - all we have is one of the big five RIAA members trying to turn the fond memories of mp3 revolution into a cashflow. Probably they don't even dream making it a success among the more savvy mp3 traders but target it to the less evolved 'consumers' to whom the brand name without the original experience might still do the trick. I seriously doubt that it will work. The controversial brand name is enough to raise curiosity but with all those ridiculous limitations effectively eliminating the genuine Napster experience there will be no community to share files.
- tg
