Last.FM

If you've not tried Last.FM radio yet you're in for a treat. Its one of those ground-breaking programs that could change the way we listen to music on the internet.

It basically allows you to create your own internet radio station that is based on your own musical tastes. What you do is enter the name of an artist you like and it will choose artists that are similar. It will learn over time what music you like and become better and better at guessing your taste.

There is also a huge community element to the site where users swap their playlists and introduce other users to new music that they might also like.

How much does this fantastic service cost? - Nothing, its absolutely Free! Even the advertising on the site is unintrusive and kept to a minimum.

To get started you download something called the last.fm audioscrobbler, which is a program that analyzes your music collection in order to help establish your musical taste. The second part of the installation is a specialized music player that plays your created radio station (there is an option to play it through your own chosen audio player as well).

One of my concerns when I downloaded the software that it might be spyware, but all my concerns were addressed in the FAQs on the site.

After having played with it for the last 24 hours, I've been pleasantly surprised at how accurate the music that they have served up matches my tastes.

Recommended - Check out Last.FM