According to technology analysts Gartner, the time is ripe for those in the music industry to move away from a dependence on CD revenue, and instead invest more thoroughly in online distribution networks. In time for the anticipated Christmas rush for CDs, Mike McGuire, the Gartner research vice president, has come on record to encourage music labels to 'instead emphasise "digital first," making all new releases and catalogue issues via digital services and moving CDs to an on-demand publishing mode.' It doesn't make such a handy Christmas-time stocking-stuffer, but maybe there are some practical suggestions in McGuire's words.

Out with the old?

McGuire adds that 'by propping up the CD business, rather than fully investing in online distribution alternatives, the major labels and the larger music industry have neither succeeded in stamping out piracy nor done much to recreate the business models of the old record business.' So instead of keeping their heads in the past, the major music labels should instead address the trends of the future.

Waste not, want not!

When it comes down to it, there are significant savings to be made by encouraging the development of online distribution networks. The record labels could spare themselves the substantial cost of CD production and target digital distribution instead, rather than developing and marketing the physical product. That's not to say they'd do away with CD manufacture and thermal printer services all together. CDs could be instead maintained "on demand" for promotional material, free gifts for loyal fans, or concert souvenir merchandise.

Are we headed towards an era of DIY CDs?

And why not? With the simplicity of creating your own music compilation, it makes sense to be able to purchase your music digitally and then have the freedom to store it in the manner best suited to your musical consumption preference. Cutting the cost of the production, the excess materials used, and even the barcodes and labelling has got to be beneficial in the long run, leaving the consumer the ultimate choice as to DIY CDs in terms of content, artists, and playlist.