How come this software is free? I've used it for about 4 years now, and it's the best Media Player out there, in my opinion. I know they started charging for WinAmp Pro, but still they never charged anything before that. Where do they make their money?! They're no advertisemtns, and seemingly no adware or spyware within the program. I thought that perhaps they send statistics to what is being listened to, to record companies? That annonomous tracking thing which you can use if you want. I just find it a little bit suspicious otherwise, lol...

Sometimes, people create good free software. Look at Firefox. Look at FileZilla. Look at OpenOffice.

u have to pay for Winamp 5.0 Pro ...so they do make money

"...I thought that perhaps they send statistics to what is being listened to, to record companies? That annonomous tracking thing which you can use if you want. I just find it a little bit suspicious otherwise, lol..."

It's called "paranoia"

Keep in mind that since NullSoft was picked up by AOL, AOL places plenty of shortcuts onto your system every time you install Winamp. Also, since many people don't realize you can delete them (especially the shortcut at the top of the start menu). This generates at least some revenue for AOL, even though it may not be much. I'm sure AOL has also helped itself out with the technology that was in Winamp by integrating it with the AOL client.

--Josh

I've used Winamp forever. Usually, the 'pay' for good free software is the chance that a big company will pick you or your project up - and just that happened with Winamp. Those AOL shortcuts are nothing, I don't even have any, all I do is select for them not to be installed, and even if there are, AOL gets nothing unless someone actually signs up so that's no kind of method. As I said - these people get chances they would not in a million years when they make and maintain software that catches someones eye - and the pay for that is getting a job or having their company/project purchased by a big fish.

Winamp Pro is not necessary for winamp to function, so I wouldn't consider that anything much.

If you honestly think that those shortcuts aren't generating money for AOL, why then do you think they pay companies like Dell and Gateway (along with many others) to place those shortcuts on all the machines they ship out. Of course they generate money, and if nothing else they keep AOL's name in a very visible place and in everyone's mind, which is sometimes just as important as getting people to sign up.

--Josh

most bad softwere cost more mony, like windows

Well, i'd think they paid /Dell and Gateway to actually put AOL on the PC - not just the little icon. But whatever, I guess. AOL owns Winamp so we know those don't generate income unless someone actually clicks on it and DOWNLOADS AOL.