wideopenvista

because you aren't downloading using the browser. You are using a Java app that is browser and platform independent. The more I hear others' stories, the more I think this issue depends on your ISP and how they handle certain traffic. But IT IS HDTRACKS' RESPONSIBILITY to find a way around it. They can't expect ISPs or people with common configurations to work around their problematic download manager. I say this as a programmer and systems consultant.

Seriously, you don't recall "anywhere that stated the users are at fault"? Scroll up. First, the email responses I've gotten (and described) from HDtracks in the past (and many others have reported the same thing) suggest that it's something on my end. Also, their website is full of user-error red herrings. The only time they've ever admitted that it's their fault was today (finally!) when I made it clear to them I was knowledgeable enough to call their bluff. I've built ecommerce websites with highly confidential data on it and might know a thing or two about their business. I also administer the servers those sites sit on. Secondly, and just one example: http://www.computeraudiophile.com/content/HDtracks-download-manager#comment-56602. And yes, it's Chris. How many more people with different systems, ISPs, network setups will it take before he stops repeating the ridiculous "help" that HDtracks has devised that just keeps innocent hamsters spinning in wheels and mostly avoids the issues altogether? Clearly these things don't work. They even admit it doesn't work (finally, today, in an email to me in which they concede some have "seemingly unresolvable problems" and they said they are investigating a new downloader and/or "alternate delivery method"). Why would they do this if it were a bunch of ignorant people who don't realize how cable modems work? His statement about HDtracks wanting to make the process easy but, alas... there's security concerns so they can't. You don't think Linn or iTrax have to provide security? They get a free pass from the record companies? I just downloaded a bunch of tracks from iTrax and guess what system they have? A SERVER SIDE SYSTEM that works just fine. And why is he defending them, exactly? I *am* spending my money elsewhere. And I encourage others to do the same. Maybe then they'll care. Attacking my character isn't a substitute for having a cogent argument.

Yeah, they apparently don't get the concept of usability in this context. THEIR JOB IS TO MAKE THEIR SYSTEM DEAD EASY TO USE. That means the service cannot be stopped by routers and firewalls that don't specifically target the software (would require user configuration to block). It means they can't tell people they need to get a more compatible ISP (what?!?!?). It means if the downloader doesn't work on cable broadband it's NOT because cable is shared among multiple users (so is DSL, just further upstream). It means that they can't tell Mac users to go stuff it and use a PC. Macs are the fastest growing segment of the PC industry, intimately associated with music creation/production/consumption and the folks who buy them have the disposable income to buy premium music. Next year something like 40 million iPads are projected to be sold. Why? People are walking into Apple stores to get an iPod or just to browse and walking out with iPads (which are also iPods) and sometimes with a Mac in the other arm (what better computer to pair it with?). Apple is quickly taking over the world of mobile and (what's left of) personal computing. Anyone who doesn't realize this shouldn't be in the technology business (which HDtracks pretends to be). If it requires authoring platform-specific software on Windows and Mac then that's what they need to do. Java is a poor man's excuse for client-side software and it never really works (and has an awful user interface!) I still believe this whole thing can be accomplished server side with someone who really knows .NET or PHP. But in either case they need to stop fiddling, stop blaming and FIND A REAL SOLUTION. However, if they want a shitty music service with bad word of mouth that will eventually flame out, then HDtracks should keep doing what they're doing. My job is to diagnose issues like these for my clients. I run servers, administer and create websites (programming and problem solving), acquire and install software and hardware on Windows/Macs, troubleshoot networks, you name it. You are not going to tell me this is my fault.

Note to their water-carrier boy who reads this thread and has been diligently informing them of all these problems. Don't bother. I already sent them a link on their contact form. They should get it once the carrier pigeon (their back end) reaches them. But do keep blaming everyone else but them. Because it's certainly not their fault that people have things like broadband, routers, ISPs, firewalls, anti-virus, Windows, Macs or any of the other odd things people have that supposedly caused the problems they report. I'm sure Linn or Amazon or iTunes haven't figured out how to deal with any of that either.

Mac OS X 10.6.4 with latest Java on both a Mac Pro (early 2008) and Macbook Pro 2.33Ghz. Downloads cut out on both wired and wireless connections using Airport Extreme router. No problems with any other websites, including music downloads from Linn and iTunes. I watch movies using Apple TV all the time (Netflix streaming). Never cuts out. Have a 25 megabit broadband cable connection with very good grounding (just had major electrical upgrade to the house completed last spring) to specifically address cable and satellite grounding. I must have restarted my download for a single Ella Fitzgerald album now at least 30 times. Whoever is making excuses for HDtracks stop it. I had this exact problem a few months ago. And just like one of the others, I contacted them. They acted *surprised* that this could be happening, as if it were some rare thing. And all the while, unbeknownst to me you all were making comments. And for every comment here, you know many more are experiencing this problem and contacting them (or attempting to). Straight up, no sugar coating: they have a problem, they've known about it, they lie about it and 9 months later it's still going on. Speaking as a software developer and systems consultant: nothing takes this long unless the ownership doesn't want to pony up $$ to solve it. That's the cold hard truth, folks. This would be over if they'd hire someone who knows what they are doing. But those folks are not cheap and they don't use friggin Java. Guess they miscalculated their business plan up front. Seen it happen before. They thought they could do it on the cheap and then it ended up costing them big time to troubleshoot it and now they have no reserves to solve the problem. They're as good as dead at this point until they get a cash infusion. Don't be their cash infusion, please! I recommend people use: Linn, iTrax, Hyperion (notice the lack of Mickey Mouse client-side downloaders!).