This is more of a discussion topic than an actual article. Just a question to ponder.

If you can't compete with free, how do they sell bottled water? And let's not discard this as a goofy question. Think about it -- why do you buy water when you can get perfectly good water out of the tap for free? Especially when the contents of most bottled water are usually from public water supplies?

Is it the convenience? Portability? Flavor?

Marketing and convenience. Same as with buying the CD. The songs were always free on the radio but we still bought the albums. The argument that you can't sell CD's because the songs are available for free download is BS.

Shmoo, of Electric Gypsy
Support Local and Independent Music!

You're buying the plastic/shipment/paperwork/factory labor associated with creating the "product." It's really not as simple as walking to the tap.

ok im going to refer to one of my favorite books its called the wizards first rule. well anyways bottled water says its pure well in most cases its not but wizards first rule states that all people are stupid they will believe anything iether because they think it might be true or they are afraid it might be true. since reading that book i have atributed all the dumb things people do to that one simple rule.

you like wizards?
are you an engineer?

And what about the pet rock, look how many people fell for that one. The thing is if the riaa would spin it right, people already believe cd quality is better than mp3, I can see the ad now check out so and so artist with mp3, but when you want the ultimate sound buy the cd.

R

well im a computer repaire tech so you might say that pet rock that was a great one cant believe people were dumb enough for that o wait yes i can.

I buy bottled water because of all the iron in our well water.

Hey Shmoo, I support local and independent music.

To use this analogy with tastes or desires about music is very intelligent. Both sides agree it is about control as to why this war exists. However, it can be added that we fight for the matter of freedom of preference. Music is universal from biblical times to todays most original sounds. Funny thing is about this whole matter makes me think of this analogy.

Did Thomas Edison imagine some artist like John Philip Sousa wanting to sue him because he invented the record player??? Looks plain ridiculous, just as those who never used a computer may view this. Just my 2 cents or 2 drops of water.

"why do you buy water when you can get perfectly good water out of the tap for free?"

Because Chicago tap water is 50% sewage.


I don't live there but when i've been there i was freaked out at for getting a glass of tap water.... and it does smell bad.

here's another analogy guys and I'd like to hear some feedback. How does Microsoft compete agaisnt Linux when Linux is available for free while Windows cost a $200 a disc? Keep in mind with every release of Linux, it is catching up to the ease of use that Windows has.

For me it is usually Portability but something to note would be that tap water is not free.

Please do not forget about the water bill. (that is what I meant when I said tap water is not free)

Why bottled water? Because people who drink chlorinated water have more bladder, kidney, and rectal cancer, that's why. Chlorine reacts with other chemicals in the water causing carcinogenic compounds to form.

To be honest, I'm not keen on flouride, either. I took a lot of chemistry in high school and college. I don't trust stuff as reactive as chlorine and flourine. Those two elements have extremely high electronegativity -- i.e. desire to snatch electrons from other atoms. They're electron "pirates" if you want to think of it that way.

I'd rather not have the chloride, or the other impurities.

Likewise, downloaded MP3s are generally of questionable quality. At their best, the compression strips away fine details in the mix.

Still, most people are satisfied with tap water. I guess they like cancer. And most people are satisfied with MP3 sound quality.

I think Microsoft can compete with free for several reasons:

1. They have a huge installed user base which begins at work. People generally will buy something they're familiar with.

2. Once people have a computer, they buy software that runs on their current OS, typically windows. To be able to keep using their software their forced to keep using a compatible OS (ie. Windows).

Linux is making inroads probably due to help from the media hyping it, new linux based software titles which compete directly with the Windows platform, and new computer sales with an incompatible installed OS (XP) forcing users to buy new XP compatible SW, or switch to Linux. Some are switching!

Much like DRM downloads, the ignorant masses have been conditioned to think bottled water is better, when in reality you get less for more.

Thank god I don't drink the water around Chicago. The only water I drink comes in a 12 oz bottle labeled "Rock Light"

I dont think the comparison rightly applies. People who buy bottled water hope theyre getting something better than what comes out of the tap. When I chug down a bottle of Poland Spring, I hope the water is better than what comes out of the tap. At least with the bottle, there's a chance it's better, and people are willing to fron the 99cents. The tap water is guaranteed crap. Likewise I suppose many are willing to pay 99cents for a single rather than risk downloading pops, clicks, loops, or a virus. kudos on the thought though.

You cant compete with free, that's the bottom line. Imaging if everyone in the world had access to a replicator like in Star Trek. We'd be duplicating money and stereos like crazy. The barter system used for millenia would fail overnight. Well guess what... we do have those replicators now, they don't do stereos yet, or earl gray tea... but the do any and all information. The barter system in that area is failing. It's a matter of time before the idea of IP is abandoned. It may take a generation or two, but it will happen. It just a matter of how badly our rights and constitution is trashed along the way.

Isra

Lol! There is this water, Aberfoyle Springs [recently bought by Nestle]. I've seen it for up to $3.50/bottle! The irony is it comes from the same source as the tap water in my old city!

In spite of the wealth of obvious silliness when it comes to bottled, or filtered, water, there are in many cases legitimate reasons for not drinking the local tap water, especially in rural areas that rely on wells rather than treated public water supplies.

A few years ago my father, who is now in his late seventies, was diagnosed with bladder cancer. He appears to have beaten it, for which we are grateful, but my point is that the doctors told him that it was likely the result of years of drinking untreated, unfiltered well water.

My folks now are careful to buy water, or to use filters on all tap water. I do the same.

Great discussion topic George!
And, it does talk about the "competing with free" deal.

Lemme say I don't drink bottled water...maybe a sip if I really need water...my wife is always buying it.

I don't drink much water at all...just gallons and gallons of caffeine rich Java (been doing that for about 46 years at this point...started age 5).

I think that most of the bottled water drinkers would say they are drinking it for the health aspects...for the POTABILITY as well as the portability.

Fact is, Coke had to recall a lot of Dasani because of the fact it was adulterated.

Now, my folks live in South Texas and the water down there is literally so bad, when we were at a restaurant, and they brought water, it SMELLED like sewer water and it killed my appetite for the food. They have little machines to buy water all around there and people buy gallons and gallons of water at a time, because the water is so bad.

But, water filters are a great idea. Some companies now make "sports bottles" that filter water from the impurities.

Distilled water is only useful if you are doing lab work or pouring it in your iron. You need electrolytes in your water/ minerals and such, because it is good for your hear. So called "hard water", meaning mineral rich...bad for the pipes, but good for your heart.

[Disclaimer- the above was not meant to be considered medical advice and people should always consult with their family physician prior to making changes in their water imbibing habits.
Gotta throw that in.]

Free don't necessarily mean good.

In Texas, you can find lots of free stuff in cow pastures...

You get what pay for...IF YOU'RE LUCKY!

Yeah, I agree, Code. We need minerals. But I'd rather have distilled than chemicalized water, if I have to choose between two imperfect alternatives. I hope I'm getting enough minerals and trace minerals in my veggies and organic grains. And supplements.

As for unadulterated MP3s, you'll have to go to Russia for those. LOL

Hey Code just remember that if you dry those free cow patties the make wonderful fuel for a fire.

And there is such thing as too much minerals in your water, for instance if you have so much iron that your tap water is actually brown.

Want to compete with free...four selling points:
sound quality
sound quality
price
music quality

People actually do have an aversion to what they conscider to be "stealing things." Most people want to compensate someone for the goods that they get. If that weren't true, shoplifting wouldn't just be a problem, it would be an epidemic. People actually want to spend money, they just don't like getting ripped off for their trouble.

Other ways to make sure products "compete with free", the CD should have more than 1 good song, consumers should retain the right to use the CD any damn way we please, and the RIAA should stop suing everyone they see. Piss on your customer base, they leave you, especially if they don't need what you offer to survive.

Oh, and bottled water is a convenience/taste thing for me. I have to boil and then filter my tap water to be able to drink it. At least someone has tried to filter the bottled stuff, and I can take that to work with me. There's something wrong with my tap water, drinking it makes me violently ill.

crazypip666
Good point!

Never drink brown water or eat yellow snow.

"Did Thomas Edison imagine some artist like John Philip Sousa wanting to sue him because he invented the record player??? Looks plain ridiculous, just as those who never used a computer may view this. Just my 2 cents or 2 drops of water."

I see and agree with the point you make In-solitude, but you might want to ask George sometime about Edison and copyright. (I think he still may have a few things at azoz.com on the matter.)

Shmoo

If it’s Kentwood water, bottled in Britney’s home town, I think it’s because the factory is colocated with a grave yard.

Of course Evian spelled backwards is naive.