How much has music downloading hurt the record business? An independent technology analysis firm, Forrester Research says the loss in sales from downloading is about $700 million. That may sound like alot, but a Forrester survey also suggests that two thirds of twelve- to-twenty-two year old samplers say they will buy the cd of their most recent download.

I got this in the mail today, and while it's too long to type out, I have scanned it and you can view the article, along with another article about the RIAA Here.

No! Don't buy yet! Make them offer alternatives!

Not only am I NOT buying YET, I NEVER will, EVER again!!!!

This so called "independent" research firm seems to have conveniently left out a couple of things in their survey such as whether or not the $700 million loss in sales took place before or after the controversy over downloading came up. I find it hard to believe that a $700 million dollar loss could be attributed to filesharing alone. But I guess even these dolts refuse to acknowledge that there is a boycott taking place, or even possibly that most mainstream music just plain sucks..

Another question that this raises, is was this firm conducting the survey on their own, or for a particular client? They may be "independent", but it dosen't mean that they can't be paid to be biased...

Is Rolling Stone precedent? Can it be judicially noticed? Is what Rolling Stone says about music beyond dispute?

And of course, NOTHING in this rigged "survey" about the lingering effects of "free trade" (and the continuing job losses resulting therefrom = no money for "discretionary" items like CD's) on sales. In EVERY field. Yet you don't hear other industries (aside from the multinational entertainment-media complex) screaming "piracy" -- or do you?

As for Rolling Stone: The quality of that magazine, I.M.H.O. (and I.S.O.P.H.O.), has gone way downhill since Jann Wenner last year installed a new editor who decided to pander to those potential "readers" with the attention span of hummingbirds (i.e., almost no attention span at all).

I have been a recent subscribed to "the Stone" because I bought a next to nothing per issue deal to help my son's school. I think they have been going downhill since the mid 80's, but I like some of the new artist info. Anyways...I think they are very biased and sympathetic to the RIAA and it makes me ill. I want to see our side of the story or I will consider them just as bad as the rest of the news outlets.

IF you want to hear both side go to www.cnet.com