Thanks to modern technology, music lovers can now enjoy the same studio quality sound for their music by simply downloading music from the Internet or purchasing compact discs. Compact discs or CDs have practically replaced the plastic vinyl record that was so popular for so many decades. Although the vinyl record still exist in isolated areas and can also be said to offer relatively good sound quality, they have all but been replaced by their smaller counterpart, the compact disc which boasts better sound quality and longer plays (over 10,000 plays). Their smaller stature affords them easier storage and transportation than they vinyl record.
But as technology continues to affect the music world, more and more people, have bought into portable music players such as the IPod and in so doing prefer to download digital sound bytes from the Internet. This ultimately solves the storage problem because music can be purchased and stored in computer drives and there is no need for the CD. But does this mean that CD storage devices such as cabinets, units, stack bins and drawers have become extinct? Not quite.
CD storage cabinets are still quite popular. This is because many people still have physical CDs in their collection and are reluctant to convert these into digital music to store in their computers. These can be older generation who have not quite bought into the download mania.
CD storage units are also popular because they keep the CDs safe. Even though music downloaded and stored in computer hard drives is convenient and does not take up physical space, one can still lose the music if something was to happen to the computer. Most people who download music keep it in their laptop and laptops are a hot item among thieves. Some hard drives have more than 10,000 songs and one can imagine the loss in the event that such as drive failed, became corrupted or was stolen.
People using CD storage devices also enjoy the advantage of being able to share their music conveniently. While this can also be said of the downloaded music, there is little hassle in finding a CD among your collection and sharing it or playing it. With downloaded music, one has to log onto their computer and start looking for the music.
People who are accustomed to going to Internet sites to download music also expose themselves to grave dangers such as identity theft and viruses. Viruses are malicious software that enters one's computer unawares and begins to perform hidden tasks inside the computer. One of these tasks can be to steal information. Simple walking to a music store and purchasing the good-old-fashioned CD protects you against issues like this and one has no fear of identity theft or viruses.
While it is true that downloading music to a portable music device affords the listener major conveniences, so does storing music in CD storage units. With CD storage units, there is no danger of downloading viruses from the Internet and no danger of identity theft either.