October 9, 2007 5:02 PM PDT

Pandora: From zero to addicted in 10 minutes

OK, I admit it: I'm not always the first to try out some great new technology.

Once in a long while, maybe, I'm a little behind. Like a year or two.

That's why it took me until today to finally try out Pandora, the Internet site that lets you create custom radio stations based on your music preferences.

And now I think I know something about instant addiction. I signed up, entered a single artist to create a radio station around, and about eight songs in, I'm just totally hooked.

I started playing around with the site, following cross-references and links and seeing how easy it is to create additional stations and buy the music played, and I'm completely in love.

Of course, everyone else in the world has already figured this out. But as a geek, I figure it's only fair to acknowledge the very rare--OK, very frequent--instances when I'm a little slow to discover great new technologies.

But at least I'm willing to learn. That's something, right?

Recent posts from Geek Gestalt
RealNetworks plans to spin off its games unit
Report: EA buys Shawn Fanning's Rupture for $30 million
Wii's success fills coffers of Japan's richest man
Study: Fewer under-17 kids buying 'M'-rated games
Report: Gamers angry at DRM system from EA
Add a Comment (Log in or register) 7 comments (Page 1 of 1)
Pandora Rocks
by Eyeoftherabbit October 9, 2007 6:17 PM PDT
Welcome to the party! I only "discovered" it about a year ago myself, and while I often think Slacker is the better player, Pandora still gets a much-disputed spot on my Firefox Bookmark Toolbar... _________ http://eyeoftherabbit.wordpress.com
Reply to this comment View reply
Don't rub it in
by joseph105 October 9, 2007 7:11 PM PDT
"everyone else in the world has already figured this out" Wrong! Pandora blocks most non-US users, including us deprived Canadians. I got addicted to Pandora about 2 months before they blocked international users from the site. Sigh :( Please come to Canada, Pandora. I'd even gladly pay a subscription fee to access it.
Reply to this comment View reply
Pandora On Blog
by Apella REBS October 9, 2007 7:46 PM PDT
I am glad that you have had the chance to check out the Pandora system. I have been using it and turning people onto it for about two years now. I have it streamed on my Windows Live Spaces Blog Table Talk With Apella. Feel free to check it out as it is great because readers can have music of their choice while reading or surfing the net. The player if used with a muti-window browser will play on even once they leave Table Talk With Apella so they can keep on enjoying music. Best of luck with you music and enjoy!
Reply to this comment
Also used to like Pandora . . . .
by K.P.C. October 10, 2007 5:13 AM PDT
. . . Till they blocked from listening in Japan. What really pissed me off was during that whole stink about how much the copyright court decided to charge internet radio stations - I get an email from Pandora ask me to contact me elected reprentatives to complain - Which did take the time to do (Since I am a U.S. citizen and a registered voter). About 2 weeks later they cut me off. (Thanks again RIAA - for nothing!) And they had the nerve to continue sending me emails telling me about improvements they were making and wondering why I hadn't visited recently. I finally email back to request they stop "spamming" me if they're not going to let me listen. btw - Slacker not available here either.
Reply to this comment
Powered by Jive Software
advertisement
  • About Geek Gestalt

  • At the tech culture nexus of video games, fire art, Legos, 3D virtual worlds, social networking, aviation, hacked Roombas and much more, CNET News.com's Daniel Terdiman sits with pen, notebook, laptop and camera, chronicling the latest and greatest for your reading and viewing pleasure. Stop by regularly for a look at the "fun beat" brought to you by a reporter uniquely positioned to take you into the middle of another side of technology.

Add this feed to your online news reader
Google
Yahoo
MSN

Daniel @ Twitter

Latest blog posts from News.com

Featured blogs

Beyond Binary by Ina Fried A look at how technology is changing our lives and at the people behind all that life-changing stuff.

Coop's Corner by Charles Cooper Charles Cooper weighs in on Silicon Valley hijinks, and he doesn't suffer fools gladly.

Defense in Depth by Robert Vamosi Covering the latest in computer viruses and computer crime.

Green Tech Fresh green tech news and commentary.

One More Thing by Tom Krazit Tom Krazit takes on the tech phenomenon that is Apple, and keeps a close watch on the chip industry.

Outside the Lines by Dan Farber When business and technology meet, that's when things get interesting.

The Iconoclast by Declan McCullagh Exploring the intersection of politics and technology.

The Social by Caroline McCarthy Exploring all facets of social media and tech culture.

Underexposed by Stephen Shankland Coverage of digital photography, science, and open-source software.

advertisement
On TechRepublic: 10 ways users mess up their computers
Advanced
search
Advanced
search
Visit other CNET Networks sites: