Free Music for All, All for Free Music!

Of course life isn't as simple as it once was when anyone could grab Limewire and download whatever tracks they want. Ah, those were the days. While it is still possible, it is a little more difficult. That isn't the point those. Online radios, I love them. The only effort I have to make is deciding what I want to listen to. The options are unlimited, and it is beautiful.

Everyone knows about it. Some people like it, others don't. It has some good features. The one thing I really like about it is I type in a band I like, and the station plays a song and I am like F@#!, I forgot about this song! I do use Pandora because it is what is on my Blu Ray. Like the song to the right, I am listening to Matchbox 20 radio. I haven't heard that song in forever, and I am thoroughly enjoying it as I type. Another great thing is that a lot of the songs have lyrics with them, about the band, and similar artists. Pandora has a really simple user interface. My 3 year old cousin could use it if he were able to read and write or type. Good and bad go together like Thanksgiving and pumpkin pie though. The ads are obnoxiously annoying, and constant. Your music also quits playing if you aren't active on the website. The only way to get around it is upgrading to Pandora One for $36 a year. Who wants to pay for their music though?

The first profoundly annoying thing that I found about spotify was that you HAD to log in before listening to any music. The second annoying thing is that it wouldn't let me log in with Facebook. I am currently not a big fan. 

At this point I am in. As The Beatles said, "It is getting better all the time." The first thing I noticed, well I guess you couldn't help but notice, is it gives me suggestions of what is popular in my area, and on spotify. This could be good, I like hearing new things. Maybe this isn't going to be so bad after all. I choose to listen to OneRepublic. A sidebar popped up from the right with the music player. I like that that there is a desktop version available. There is a desktop version as well, and it is free. That is something that could be convenient. Pandora only offers a desktop version with its paid service.  It almost puts me in the mind of iTunes. I didn't download it just because my computer doesn't need any more stuff on it. Spotify has some potential. 

I love Slacker! I think I may have had it on my BlackBerry before I regrettably ditch it a few years ago. Regardless, for this blog post, I am going the first play list I see, I will probably regret that. Top 40 it is though. When I go to Slacker I feel like there is something for anything that I am doing. Whether it is driving, cleaning, doing homework, ect. It almost reminds me of XM radio. Because of the different categories show like ESPN, CBS, genres, and specials. XM radio was my thing until I got a job and became to cheap for it.

Possibly one of my favorite features of Slacker is "My Vibe" Tab. Right now I am playing catch up, so I definitely do not want anything to wind me down. So I am going to choice hump day, just because I am trying so hard to make it to my day off Sunday. Hump Day provided me with a list of options including Nasty Hip Hop, Down and Dirty Rock, Siren Songs, Freak Me, and One-Night Stands. Interesting, to say the least. Dirty Hip Hop it is. I did check out the Siren Songs first, but I had no clue what any of it was. I do have to say, it isn't all that bad. I don't particularly Luv Dem Strippers like the song below, but I am feeling Slacker Radio.

Grooveshark, I am not that big of a fan. You get unlimited skips which is kinda cool. You also get to add songs to a queue. However, when I want to listen to some in particular I go to youtube and play it. So I want to move on to the broadcasts. 

If I were going to use Grooveshark, the only way would be to use the broadcasts. You essentially pick what you wanna listen to base on the genres and choose a broadcast. Its pretty easy to use. I dont really like the way it looks. It reminds me of something that would be on Facebook. There isn't anything really fancy about it. Its just looks like it is lacking.

Online Photo Manipulation Tools

Photoshop Express Online

Photoshop Express Online is a good alternative for minor changes to a photo. Maybe if something needs to be brightened up a little bit, or a little editing. While it is nothing compared to the actual Photoshop program, it is a helpful tool to use. It includes a few of the same features that is also included in a Photoshop license. Such as the burn and dodge tool. The photo below on the left is the original photo that I found on Google. I used the burn tool to bring out the colors on the same photo to the right. As you can see the the grass sky is a brighter blue, and there is more detail in the leaves. If you only need a photo editing tool to make some minor changes, this is a great tool that is free, and you don't have to download anything. There is also no registration required.

PicMonkey

PicMonkey has some pretty cool features that are seasonal. This is the month of October, and there are all kinds of spooky things going on. PicMonkey allows you to make yourself into a zombie, vampire, demon and numerous other themes related to Halloween. As you can see to the right, I used PicMonkey to turn Bruce Wayne into a zombie. Among many other features that are unrelated to the time of year. This include things such as a blemish remover and teeth whitener. You can also add eye make up such as eye liner and eye shadow. There is even a weight loss tool. What more can you ask for?

There is a downfall to PicMonkey, all of its features are not free. Many of the really cool effects you must pay for. For a premium package it is either $4.99 a month or $33.00 for a year. Is it worth it?  I probably wouldn't by a subscription, but it does have some handy features to play with.

BeFunky

BeFunky is a cool website. To me it pretty much seemed like photo editing for dummies. There are many things that you can do. I choose to use the sample photo they offered it is to the left. It put me in mind of an old diner. I decided to give it a vintage look to make it look like an old photo. The second option in the photo edit that looks like a wand gives you an abundance of effects the choose from. I choose one from "Old Photo." I then choose a frame from the instant menu. Lastly I choose a texture, which is the last choose on the task bar, to make it look scratched up. and below was my results. I am impressed with what all was offered without evening have to sign up for an account.