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Editorial
Charm and price
The greatest impact of the Internet, as a parallel technology and distribution medium, has been on the artist. His lifecycle need not now resemble that of the standard business. Possibilities on the Internet can only get better. Musicians sitting in different corners of the world can get together and jam. They can target a customer anywhere. But, it is not yet clear as to what the fate of the artiste will be when the novelty of being discussed for rendering good music wears off and pricing starts. At that point the real value behind the label will come through.Also, somewhere in this process, security companies will become important. The UK-based magazine Computer Music has classified free music to software seekers into three classes -- the hobbyist, the working musician and the distributor pirate. The latter two deprive companies of revenue and enrich themselves in the bargain. How do these parties take music from the artiste and at what price, is what the future of music on the Net is all about.
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