I got an offer in the mail for free music downloads. At the time, the company was offering a free trial for 50 downloads (now it's down to 25). I tried it, wondering what the catch was. That turned out to be a music catalog that lacks many of the music you'll easily find elsewhere. If your musical tastes run from the obscure to possibly the classic or vintage stuff, you may find some real gems. If you like it, you can sign up for packages that let you download lots of tunes for a flat monthly fee. Its catalog is growing, but don't expect it to be iTunes.
Speaking of iTunes, I have found that many of the free singles it offers every week are quite good. Not only are the songs sometimes great, it's a good way to be exposed to new musicians. You can even sign up for e-mail reminders that pop in your inbox each Tuesday heralding new releases and the free single available. The iTunes software is available as a free download for Macs and PCs. What are you waiting for?
For vinyl-o-philes, Circuit City sells a turntable that connects via USB directly to your computer. It includes software for both computer platforms for capturing music and turning it into MP3s. It's relatively cheap, and is not professional grade (you can't filter out the pops and scratches with just the included software), but it gets the job done. I like the sound of vinyl records, but they are really hard to take with you while you jog.
I've never organized a CD swap, but if anyone has suggestions, I'm all for it. With many of us doing the iTunes thing (or something similar), we could share stuff none of us have ever heard of and expand our horizons beyond the norm. Or, this could become yet another Breakfast Project that flops like a pancake on a cold griddle. I hope to have the Breakfast Project completed as a cookbook available for free download by next month, though.
Wow that turntable is cool and exactly what I have been looking for. I may have to drop by C.C. CD swap? Interested if I'm not doing something illegal....
My son got me a MP3 player for Christmas and I have really enjoyed it. I had iTunes just for the PC but it won't work with the new player. So I signed up with Napster. The music is about the same on both - what you can't find at one, the other usually has.
I just wish I could get some Shake Russell - neither place has that.
I'm in for the CD swap thing, too, as long as it is legal. Also, how exactly does the CD swap thing work?
a) if I read blogs at home I would share a breakfast recipe but since I read at work I don't have it nearby to share. Sooo sorry.
b) I'll just admit it now: I'm the only one in the world without an ipod. There I said it. I feel better now. By the time I actually get one, the technology will have moved on and I'll be old school. Go me.
Sounds like fun, but who has time for it? I do still have tons of real albums, however.