Week 5, Thing 11

I really like Pandora, the winner in the music category. This site works like a radio. Users type in the name of a song or an artist that they like, and Pandora will continuously play music that is similar in style. Users can program any number of different stations, each playing a different type of music. As songs play, they can be rated with a thumbs up or a thumbs down. Pandora will use this information to try to zero in on the exact style of music that the user enjoys.

This is a great way to listen to music when at the computer. With a subscription fee, there are some added benefits, like no advertisements and the ability to listen to stations through your cell phone (AT&T or Spring). A few downfalls--stations cannot be streamed through iPods or other mp3 players. Also, you cannot listen to a specific song on-demand. BUT, considering that it is FREE, this is completely understandable. One great thing is that Pandora compensates artists and songwriters whenever their music is played.