The Eric Wroolie Blog

Overpass Experiences

Amazon MP3 Downloader

by 3 Comments

I bought the new Snow Patrol album the other night.

Usually, when I buy music, I use iTunes because it it so easy and they really execute it well. I can buy a track on my iPhone from where ever I am, as long as I’m on a wifi connection. But, then I get the DRM and the headaches that brings along (I can’t put it on a non-IPOD MP3 player, for example, so one of my kids can listen to it).

But this time, I didn’t bother with iTunes and tried out Amazon’s new MP3 service. Although it’s not as convenient as iTunes and I had to boot up the ol’ computer to use it, it allowed me to download the tracks as MP3 format–completely DRM free. It added the tracks (with all the right ID3 tags, etc) straight into iTunes and Windows Media Player. I paid for the music like an adult and they treated me like an adult.

To use Amazon’s MP3 service, you just add the album to your shopping basket like everything else, and then download an MP3 downloader program which is a little window that does nothing but lists the tracks it’s downloading.

image The process is very smooth. I am also able to listen to the tracks on my Ubuntu laptop without any fuss.

I mentioned how nice this service is to someone the other day (well, more than just one someone) and was asked, “You actually paid for the music?”

Yes. Yes I did. It cost me only around £6.50 (but older albums are £3), and I can listen to it completely guilt-free.

Anyway, if you buy music, give the Amazon service a try. It’s nice to see some decent competition out there for iTunes.

Taking a half day for history

by Leave a Comment

I took a half-day off yesterday so I could be home to watch the inauguration at 4pm. I think most people watched it live. Even though it is so easy to record it (especially in the age of hdd recorders), it’s the kind of thing you want to experience with everyone else, as it happens.

This inauguration was more like a holiday. I can’t remember so much excitement before.

I remember watching the George Bush (senior) inauguration speech in Algebra class when I was in the 11th grade. I never paid much attention to the Clinton or Bush Jr festivities.

So, it was a nice afternoon off. Like most people, I feel relieved. It’s finally over with.