Freegal

    Something mindless, since I spent most of this evening exploring a new bit of TechnoGeekery.  I've discovered that you can download MP3 music files via your local library, and via something called "Freegal" (rhymes with "legal").

    The downloads are free and are not DRM-protected.  There is a decent selection, although you have to think in terms of what music a library would have.  Lots of classical, blues, and folk.  Not a lot of Metal.  And the search engine leaves a bit to be desired.

    Some examples.  There are no Lady Gaga tracks.  No Within Temptation.  Even worse, no Eric Clapton.  But they do have the latest Bruce Springsteen album, and the new Meat Loaf one.  Obscure stuff is hit and miss.  I was pleasantly surprised to find they had some Don Nix, Dulce Pontes, and even some Tinariwen.  And a poopload of New Riders of The Purple Sage and John Mayall.  But I didn't find any Mason Proffit.

    The one catch - you can only download three tracks per week.  This makes sense; they don't want someone hogging up all the downloads.  But it does mean you have to choose wisely, and that if you want a whole album, it may take a few weeks.  Unless you get three or four local friends together, and all cooperate to download tracks from one given album.