Free Database, RIP

Never content to leave well enough alone, when I wanted to convert a CD to mp3, I decided to try a new program. Reportedly, Exact Audio Copy is designed to be the most accurate at ripping CD's, and correcting errors before I have to hear them and try again.

I say reportedly, because I did not end up using it. When I tried it, Exact Audio Copy could not identify the name of the disc, nor the tracks. It's really not the program's fault. The database it uses is FreeDB, and it's currently down. From the FreeDB site, it appears that the creators are having a "difference of opinion" as to the future of the site. I suppose that giving away free info just doesn't pay the bandwidth charges as we enter the Web 2.0 era.

Well, typing in the names of the tracks seemed oh so retro, so I thought about the options. Unfortunately, Exact Audio Copy was out, and so was another of my favorites, Audiograbber which also depends on the FreeDB for its info.

The good news is that iTunes uses a different database for CD info and was able to come up with the track names in a jiffy. Unfortunately, it seems that programs like Audiograbber and Exact Audio Copy will be marginalized unless two things happen.

The first is that we need a new free database for these programs to plug into. At least one of the makers of FreeDB has jumped ship, taken some code with him, and setup FreeDB2. This is a step in the right direction.

Unfortunately, the best database isn't worth much if the programs don't find it. Exact Audio Copy, and Audiograbber will need to be rewritten to use the new second version of FreeDB for track names. As Audiograbber was last updated in 2004, I doubt that will happen anytime soon. One more strike aginst the little guys.

So in the meantime, I used iTunes. Windows Media Player should work as well, but it won't make variable rate mp3's that sound great, but are not humongous files. One more time, that I'm associating digital music with Jobs' wildly popular musical empire at Apple.

And Free Database, may you rest in peace. I hardly knew ya.

--Jonas