Ruckus Banner

So what is Ruckus?

Ruckus offers you a legal way to download the media you want when you want it. SVSU network delivery of Ruckus content to ResNet users, will be much faster than you are used to at home. The best part: the music is free, via tethered download.  (See FAQs at the bottom of this page.)

 

Where can I access Ruckus?

Everywhere in the SVSU ResNet
Via the SVSU Wireless hotspots

Initially, Ruckus will not be available from offices, labs or kiosks.  Once we have sufficient experience with usage and traffic we will re-evaluate these restrictions.

You can access Ruckus from off-campus.  It will operate exactly like the on-campus system except that the downloads will originate directly from Ruckus.com.

 

Who can access Ruckus?

Currently registered SVSU students
SVSU Faculty & Staff (music only)

What’s Available on Ruckus?

MUSIC

 

User Rate per user
Students Free
Ruckus To-Go $20.00/term (Fall, Winter, Spring/Summer)
Faculty & Staff $8.99/month, billed on a term basis


 

 

 

 

Permanent Download/Burn or Purchase: Per Track:  $.79-.99 on average, Per Album: $9.99 on average
Purchase through Buy.com: Per Title:  $2.99 – $14.99 on average

 

MOVIES


User Rate per user
Students $15.00/term (Fall & Winter only)




So How do I sign up for Ruckus?

Simply go to www.ruckus.com. You will register with your svsu.edu email address.  Ruckus will e-mail you a URL to complete the registration process.

 

What if I have a Question or a Problem with Ruckus?

Ruckus provides free on-line support via their web site at www.ruckus.com , simply click on Help.  SVSU's Support Center can't answer your questions and will redirect you to Ruckus.

 

FAQs:

Exactly what is a "tethered download"?
A tethered download is a song or movie linked to a particular device through Digital Rights Management (DRM). DRM prevents transferring songs outside of Ruckus to maintain our agreements with record labels. It makes sure that the song is being played by a valid Ruckus user. Ruckus uses the same DRM system as Yahoo Music and Napster.

The Ruckus Player can be installed to two computers per account at a time. You can download as many songs as you want to your two computers. To play these songs requires 30-day license. When you download a song, the license automatically comes with it. At the end of the 30-days the songs will automatically retrieve a new license when they are played from the Ruckus Player if you still have a Ruckus account and have not registered a new computer with Ruckus.  It’s all rather transparent from inside the Ruckus Player. It takes care of licenses for you.

The tethered downloads do not allow the songs to be burned to CD, but the package called Ruckus To-Go that allows the songs to be transferred to certain portable audio players (PlaysForSure Subscription standard)


What is  "Ruckus To-GO?"
Ruckus To-Go is an additional package that you can purchase. It allows Ruckus downloaded songs to be transferred to an MP3 player that is "PlaysForSure Subscription" compatible. Not all players are compatible for this feature.  When purchasing a player, look for the "Playsforsure" logo that is compliant with both audio downloads and subscription   The Playsforsure logo alone is not enough; the player must be marked for Subscription. Microsoft provides a list of Playsforsure Subscription Enabled Players (http://www.playsforsure.com/SearchResults.aspx?searchtype=GetStarted&cat=SubscriptionEnabled ). However just because your player isn't listed doesn't mean it's not PlaysForSure Subscription compatible. Look for the Subscription-checked logo on the box or on the manufacturer's information page on your player.

What does Ruckus Cost SVSU?

This service costs SVSU nothing on an ongoing basis.  We don't pay yearly, we don't pay by the download, and we don't pay by the student.  We did have to invest in one small MAC server (a one time cost) similar to the MACs in C-221; it is one of 80 servers of various sizes currently installed at SVSU.

Ruckus approached us a couple of years ago and wanted to charge SVSU every year. SVSU rejected that model, as did most universities.

It is our hope that Ruckus will actually reduce SVSU costs thru reduced internet bandwidth usage, as well as provide a legal source of music and video downloads.

Ruckus makes it's money by selling subscriptions for Ruckus To-Go and video sales to students, and music downloads to staff and faculty. (SVSU does not make a dime on these subscriptions.)