iTunes vs. Lala.com

Several months ago, via a blog I read religiously (pun fully intended) I stumbled upon Lala.com. It proudly declares itself as "All the music you could ever want, playable in a web browser." And indeed it is.

Lala allows users to legally listen to almost any conceivable song for free. Not a 30-second sample. The whole song. And if you like that particular song, you can purchase a web-only version of it for a dime.

Web-only means you don't technically "own" the music. You are essentially buying the right to listen to a streamed version of it. For graphic designers, and anyone else who has a job that necessitates using a computer all day, this is a goldmine.

C.S. Lewis once wrote "We do not disparage silver by distinguishing it from gold." iTunes has earned its reputation as the premiere music provider. And I'm certain that, at some point in the ever-evolving world of online music, iTunes will add tools to its arsenal that do essentially what Lala does today. But for now I am thrilled to have this option, and I think you may enjoy it as well.