Amazon For MP3 Downloads

There are several reasons why I love Amazon.com. But let me first talk about mp3 downloads.

I've used iTunes in the past. Before Amazon started offering music downloads, it was the only game in town. But I wasn't crazy about it. The search function leaves a bit to be desired. The setup of the site, to me, is clumsy.

But the biggest reason why I have removed iTunes completely from my system is that it downloaded all these updates! I mean, scores of updates!

I was having major disk space problems with my computer for a few months, and I tried everything to alleviate it. I knew I couldn't possibly have so many documents that I was suddenly down to little or no disk space.

Heck, I had even transferred all my music and pictures to an external hard drive! I just couldn't figure out what the heck was going on. But it was so bad that I couldn't even download security updates or do a system restore, because I didn't have enough disk space to handle it.

So, I researched and researched on the net, to see if I could find a solution to the problem. I really didn't want to spend money that I don't have to take my computer to the Geek Squad.

I found, through my research, a free program that searches for duplicate files, unneeded files, etc. (I already had a program like that, but it was apparently useless.)

Well, when I ran the new program, here were all the stupid iTunes updates from Tanzania, Mozambique, Taipai, etc. I mean, a lot! So, I deleted all these stupid files, and I deleted iTunes completely from my computer. Problem solved!

Which leads me back to Amazon. I'd been using Amazon pretty much exclusively for mp3 downloads, ever since they started offering them.

For one thing, it's easy to find what you're looking for! The search function is pretty straight-forward. Type in an artist name or song name and there you go!

Another thing, they're cheaper. AND, I've found in some instances, once I've gotten my email notification of a purchase, that they gave the download to me free of charge! That's really nice customer service.

Another good deal: If you sign up for email updates, they will email you once a week (I believe) with notification of a FREE download from a select artist. I've always taken advantage of the free downloads, and I've found some new stuff that I never would have known about, much less purchased, otherwise. It's a great way to be exposed to new music.

Tonight, I was looking for new songs to add to my mp3 player. I found some stuff that for some reason, I didn't already have. And I'm now kind of into folk music, so I downloaded 4 folk songs, which is cool. I also found a very obscure song, from 1973, that I've never been able to find anywhere. I don't know why I thought of it tonight, but I punched in the artist's name, and there it was! Very nice.

(By the way, it's called, "Working Class Hero" ~ and it's NOT the John Lennon song. This is, surprisingly, by Tommy Roe. I might be the only one who remembers it. I wanted to email my friend, Alice, and say, hey! I found that song! Do you remember it? But, of course, that's silly, because Alice is gone. But both of us really liked it at the time.)

Anyway, there's a lot more to love about Amazon. Used books, for one. I never pay full price for a book. I love it. And a lot of them that are labeled, "used", are actually new.

But since this is a music blog, I guess I should confine my comments to music. But I did get an autobiography of Mel Tills and Eric Clapton's autobiography - both used - from Amazon. So, that's music-related.

Oh, one more thing. If you get the Amazon Visa card, you get $30.00 off your purchases. That really saved me money on my Sansa mp3 player. And yes, that's where I got it.

I am one who more often disses companies, rather than praise them. So, I'm not cheer leading, believe me. I mean, this isn't a commercial for New! Improved! Tide Laundry Detergent!

I just happen to be really happy with Amazon, and for music aficionados, I wanted to share.