course it was, 95% of my music collection was on cassette until about 1997, now cassettes are near-obselete. admittedly I am no angel, I will download hiphop and if it floats my boat buy the wax, other than that I download mixes. whatever format or trick the MPAA try there will always be piracy in some shape or form and I think for them to consider this is a completely bad thing is very blinkered, I see it as part of my musical education and a stepping stone to investing in good artist's work