Top 10 Websites For Free & Legal MP3 Music Downloads

 

In today’s world, music is omnipresent. It has swept into all aspects of our lives, be it TV, movies, shopping malls, public toilets, ringtones or waiting loops. Yet we still crave more.

Music stimulates the brain. It’s this deep rooted cultural pleasure that drives us to consume more and more of it.

If you’re sick of the commercial pabulum and ready to discover new and fresh artists, dive into this list to explore ten of the best sites for legal and free mp3 downloads. Get your mp3 player connected, here comes cargo!

10. Free Kids Music

As the name reveals, this page hosts free music for children.

Artists can be listed alphabetically. A separate category is traditional music, which contains songs such as My Bonnie, Amazing Grace, Kumbaya, Frère Jacques, or The Alphabet Song.

9. Dramacore

Dramacore is a netlabel that publishes music under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 3.0 United States License.

Dramacore netlabel was made for people looking to download free music. And to support a diverse array of artists wanting to avoid the stupidity of corporations, mainstream propaganda, and trendy sellout dating websites. Long live the do it yourself spirit.

The people behind Dramacore furthermore emphasize that their netlabel is a serious project. The website is hosted professionally and funded until 2012.

8. MP3.com

The idea of MP3.com is to provide artists with the opportunity to promote their work, and music fans the chance to discover new talents.

MP3.com has been around for quite some time and is the most comprehensive archive for free music downloads. Being so popular, it also attracts some of the bigger performers.

You will find streaming music from the Pet Shop Boys, Eminem, 50 Cent, Linkin Park, and The Beatles. Free MP3 downloads are available from thousands of artists. Unfortunately, the free music tracks are very hard to browse or find, unless you know what you’re looking for.

7. Last.fm

Last.fm not only provides free music streams and recommendations, but also features some great tracks for free download.

Currently, there are over 200 free mp3 downloads, including songs from Jaydiohead, Peter Björn and John, The Thermals, White Lies, John Lennon & Yoko Ono, Guns N’ Roses, Moby, and Nine Inch Nails. You can sort the free downloads by genre.

Check out my previous review on TheLastRipper if you want to record Last.FM tracks to your computer.

6. Amazon

A little known fact is that even Amazon offers tons of free mp3s.

You can choose from over 1,000 tracks, which can be sorted by several criteria. The top five genres are Rock (338 songs), Alternative Rock (275 songs), Classical (195 songs), International (158 songs), and Pop (134 songs). Artists include Calexico, Ingrid Michaelson, The Lemonheads, Alice Cooper, and Paul McCartney.

But you need to be a US resident and have a US Amazon account to be able to download the tracks.   So this one is only suitable for our American readers.

5. 7digital

7digital is a global digital media platform.

It’s their business to sell mp3s, but they also provide a great collection of free downloads, which are updated weekly. The sample tracks are categorized into rock, hip-hop, reggae / roots, various, and audiobooks.

4. Spinner Mp3 of the Day

Spinner is an AOL project, which runs an MP3 of the day section.

Some better known artists featured recently were of Montreal, The Swell Season, The Futureheads, Simian Mobile Disco, and The XX.

Clicking on MP3 OF THE DAY under EXCLUSIVES on the left-hand side opens Spinner’s web-based radio station.

3. NME The Daily Download

The UK’s New Music Express (NME) supplies music addicts with their Daily Download fix.

Generally, songs can be downloaded days, weeks and even months after they were published on The Daily Download. Recent artists include Paper Route (recently saw them supporting Paramore), Yeasayer, The Antlers, Exlovers covering Chris Isaak, Joensuu 1685 covering Bruce Springsteen, Röyksopp, Maximo Park, The Prodigy, and Metallica.

2. Free Music Archive

The Free Music Archive is an interactive library of high-quality, legal audio downloads.

The music on this page was picked by established audio curators and pre-cleared for online use. It’s suitable for podcasts, videos or any other format of digital use and publishing.

You can browse the material by curator, genre, recently added highlights, and most interesting highlights.

1. Epitonic

Epitonic is a curated site, which offers free mp3 downloads along with a web-based audio stream, artist profiles, and reviews.

The site can help you explore new genres with short audio guided tours. Go to genres/radio to have a look at the walk-throughs.

Epitonic’s releases include artists like Grand National, Groove Armada, Zero 7, Mogwai, Belle and Sebastian, and Peaches.

When logged in you can create an individual playlist of songs hosted on the site.

Where do you explore and discover music, and how do you retrieve your music fix?

Laptop buying tips

Introduction

Purchasing a home or business laptop can be a much more confusing and sometimes frightening experience as most users today have some experience with a desktop computer but not as many have experience with a laptop, what is properly known as a portable computer. Portable computers are an excellent solution for anyone who needs to be portable and have all of their information on a small computer. Below is a listing of help and tips when considering to purchase a laptop computer. 

What to look for

When purchasing a computer, it is likely that you will have a general idea of what you may like in the computer or how you would like to configure the computer. Below is a listing of the various components likely to be found in a computer, and recommendations and tips when considering any of the below components.

Device	Recommendation
Battery usage	A very important consideration for any users that need to have a working laptop on the road or in the air. Verify when purchasing a portable computer how long the battery lasts. Be cautious, as many manufacturers will indicate a battery usage time but this may be at the lowest possible settings; ensure that the manufacturer clarifies what the standard battery usage life is when using the portable computer in all power modes.
Display	All portable computers come with a display. While it is almost always possible to hook up an external monitor when traveling with the laptop, the display is an important consideration. When looking at the display, ensure it is large enough for your needs. A very easy method of reducing the cost of the laptop is to reduce the size of the screen, unless price is an very important consideration we highly suggest that you purchase a laptop with at least a 12" or lager LCD and recommend an LCD size of 14"
Drives	Drives are sometimes overlooked when considering a portable computer but can be an important consideration. Portable computers can come with various drive configurations, for example: One drive bay where the CD-ROM and the Floppy drive are interchangeable. For users who utilize the floppy drive often, this may be an issue; however, for other users who do not utilize the floppy, this may be a more appropriate solution as the computer will be lighter and thinner with one drive bay. Two drive bay portable computers have a floppy solution as well as CD-ROM solutions. These computers will be a less expensive computer when compared to the other solutions; however, it is the always the heaviest of all the solutions. No drive bay portable computers allow for a laptop to be extremely light and utilize external drives instead of internal. Pay close attention to the price of these laptops; while it may appear to be a portable solution, many manufacturers will charge you an additional price for the external drives, which will eventually be needed. Finally, some users may also want to consider different media solutions. For example, many laptops allow for a standard floppy drive or an LS120 drive. The LS120 drive can read floppy diskettes and at the same time be used as a backup storage device as it can store up to 120MB on a LS120 diskette. Additionally consider the option of a DVD* or CD-RW drive as opposed to a CD-ROM drive. *If you are considering a DVD solution, verify if the DVD comes with hardware or software decoding. Hardware decoding for laptops is accomplished by using a PCMCIA card and will add onto the overall price of the laptop.
Hard drive	Hard drives have and always will be an important consideration to think about when purchasing a new portable computer. Like a standard computer, the hard drive will be the destination of all your files and information, and if that drive is to become full, that drive will need to be replaced or another drive will need to be added to the computer. When looking at the space of the hard drive, always get the maximum size hard drive, considering you will eventually always run out of space.
Lock	Does the portable computer include any locking system? If yes, what locking system is included? This can be very important for users who are on the road.
Memory	Memory is and has always been an important consideration when looking at purchasing a computer. Determine the amount of memory included in the computer as well as verify if that memory can be upgraded in the future. The more memory the computer has, the more efficient the computer will run.
Modem	If a modem is required, ensure that a modem is included with the portable computer. In addition, verify if the modem is an internal or PC-CARD (PCMCIA) modem as you may require all the available PC-CARD slots in the future. PC-CARD modems are type II that for most computers will allow for an additional type II to be connected.
Network card	If a network connection is required, ensure that a network card is included with the portable computer. In addition, verify if the network card is an internal or PC-CARD (PCMCIA) network card as you may require all the available PC-CARD slots in the future. Network PC-CARDs are type II that for most computers will allow for an additional type II to be connected.
Processor	The computer processor is and will always be an important consideration when purchasing a computer. Today, with multiple CPU/Processor manufacturers, it may be more confusing as well as more cost efficient to look at the different processors available.
Sound card	Sound cards are important when looking at purchasing a computer; however, the majority of all computer users will find that most standard sound cards will suit their needs. However, some users may enjoy purchasing more advanced sounds cards that will increase the amount of speakers that can be used and in some games and programs and the sound quality and capabilities. When looking at the sound aspect of a portable computer, many laptops do not have sufficient sound and will require external speakers or headphones. Ensure that the sound quality meets your needs.
Weight	Weight is a very important consideration when considering a portable as the computer will be carried; the lighter the portable computer, the more easy it will be to carry.
Video card	Video cards are becoming an extremely important factor when purchasing a computer. While this may surprise some, a video card can make or break a computer when it comes to playing games on the computer. Most games today require additional video memory as well as special video modes such as OpenGL. With a video card with little video memory or without these modes, the computer will be unable to play these games. In addition, the advances in video cards can dramatically increase the user enjoyment of the game being played.

Brand of computer

When looking at purchasing a portable computer, you will likely hear different stories, some good and some bad. Regardless if the story is good or bad, these stories are always based on the experience of that user. While it may be true that the user had a bad or terrible experience with that computer, all computer manufacturers have had users who have had a bad experience and there is no such thing as a bad or perfect computer manufacturer. Below is a listing of various things to consider when purchasing a computer, and in some cases, how to tell the good from the bad and help allow you to purchase the portable computer that will suit your needs.

Add-ons	Some computer manufacturers may try to sell additional add-ons when purchasing a portable computer. Unless you have done your research on the additional add-on, do not consider the add-on. While in some cases it may be beneficial to get a printer, scanner, camera or PC Cards with a computer, you may be paying premium for the additional add-on, or in the case of the printer, you may have to pay premium on the ink in the future. Do you research, ensure that if you get an additional hardware or add-ons that the hardware will suit your needs and that it does not end up being something that is not going to be used.  Free add-ons? Some computer companies may entice you into purchasing a computer by giving you free add-ons. These add-ons may be advertised as free, however, ensure or ask if the add-on price is not just being added to the overall computer price.
Documentation	While most manufacturers today are reducing the amount of documentation included with their computers, an excellent question, especially if the computer is being purchased by a new computer user, is "what documentation is included with the computer?" All computer manufacturers will include some paper documentation or paper inserts; however, does this information include documentation about upgrading the computer in the future? How to connect the cables to the computer? Documentation on how to use the software such as the additional included software? Note: It is important to distinguish between paper documentation and on-line documentation. On-line documentation, which is being found more today, is information that is either locally on the computer or can be accessed via the Internet. If the information is available over the Internet, see how that information looks and if it suits your needs before purchasing the computer.
Location	We use location to describe several different topics. First, what is the location of where the computer is purchased: If the computer is purchased at a local retail store, can the computer be returned to that store if unsatisfactory? If the computer is purchased through mail order or directly through the computer manufacturer or reseller, where can the computer be returned if unsatisfactory? Second, can the store location of where the computer was purchased service the computer? If not where is the closest location to where the computer can be serviced? Third, if the computer is purchased directly from the computer manufacturer and is shipped through mail, how is it shipped? What is the time period for the computer to arrive to your destination? What happens if the computer is damaged during shipping?
Refurbished	Refurbished is a term used to describe a computer or a hardware device or component in a computer that has been used; however, it has been looked at and determined to be in working order. However, because the product has been used or purchased, it cannot be sold as new. Refurbished computers will have a lower price and are a good deal for users who may not have a lot of money to spend on a new computer. It is important, however, to compare the price of the refurbished computer to a new computer as well as to review all of the tips on this page as all the same rules, tricks and tips still apply.
Service	Service is an important consideration to look at when looking to purchase a computer, new or used. The service is how many companies describe the repair of a computer if it or a component within it is to become broken. Below is a listing of what services to look for. Is the service onsite, meaning a technician will come to your location to replace or fix a bad component. If the service is onsite, is it for the complete time of the warranty? If onsite is not offered, what is and for how long? Can the computer be taken to a local service center? If yes, what is the closest authorized service center? What is the time frame the service takes to occur? For example, if the computer has a bad component, what is the time it will take for a technician to come onsite and replace that component, or what is the time it will take to have the computer sent in to be fixed? Finally, if that time frame is not accomplished, what is the company willing to do? Would they be willing to provide you with a loaned computer? Because the computer is a portable computer, is International Service available? This will allow users who may be in a different country to have their computer fixed in that country.
Software	Software, for many computer users especially new users, is thought to be an important consideration when purchasing a new computer. Granted there is software that we highly recommend looking for when purchasing a computer, such as word processor or spread sheet program, some computer companies may over hype the software package. Below is a listing of what to look for when looking at the software included with a computer. Does the software include Microsoft Office or Corel Suite? These packages allow you to have a word processor and a spread sheet. For the majority of all users, this should be an important consideration. Is the software full versions of the software or is the software demo programs or shareware programs?
Upgrade ability	While this option may not be considered at first when purchasing a computer, it is an important consideration. Below is a listing of different options to look for when looking to upgrade a portable computer. What can be upgraded in the computer? RAM? CPU? Hard Drive? If available to upgrade, what are the maximum amounts or is it specified within documentation provided with the computer? Are the upgrades something that the end-user can do or does it require a service center to install?
Warranty	Finally, what warranty is offered by the computer manufacturer? How long is the warranty? Does the warranty cover both hardware and software issues?  Warranty can cause frustrations for most users. We highly recommend that a computer only be considered if it has at least a one-year warranty. Many cheap computers will only come with a 90 day warranty; meaning if a part goes bad, you will have to pay for the part as well as the service. This may not be an issue for users who just need a cheap computer and are willing to replace parts and service the computer.

Scams

Unfortunately, like anything, it is possible to be tricked or for computer companies to scam you. Below is a listing of what to look for when purchasing a computer.

• Get what you pay for - Ensure that the product you are purchasing is what you are paying for. It has been known that computer companies may list a processor being a specific speed but may actually have a different speed into the computer. This, unfortunately, can be very easy as any user can 'over clock' a processor, making it appear as one speed but in reality being a completely different speed. For example, you may buy a 733MHz processor but instead get a 500MHz.
  
  To determine the processor speed, open the computer and look at the processor itself. Do not look at the processor through a software program or through BIOS as these values can be changed or tricked.
  
• Legal software - When purchasing a computer, ensure it comes with legal software. Many end-users or small computer companies who build or sell computers may not provide you with legal copies of the software, which is illegal. Verify that the software that came with your computer is on a standard CD and not a burnt CD. A burnt or home-made CD will be a different looking CD and have a gold or green bottom. Ensure that if the software requires a license or registration number that it was included with the computer. An example of software that includes these certificates is Microsoft Office and Windows.

Top 10 Facebook tips

Below is a listing of our top 10 tips for the popular social networking website Facebook.

Hide users, games, polls, etc.

It quickly gets annoying seeing some users posts, game invites, polls, etc. Hovering your mouse to the right of the post and clicking the Hide button as shown below can hide any post. Once this button is pressed you'll be prompted with the option to hide that user or in the case of a Facebook application the option to hide that application from ever showing up on your profile.

To unhide someone or unblock an application click the Edit Options link in the bottom right corner of the news feed as shown below.

Greasemonkey and FB Purity

Although Facebook does not allow the ability to hide friends getting new friends messages, friends becoming fans of something, and some application messages they can still be hidden with browser add-ons. If you're running Mozilla Firefox, Chrome, Opera, or Safari we suggest installing the Facebook Purity add-on.

Update your privacy settings

Click Account in the top right corner of the Facebook window and then click Privacy settings to adjust who is capable of seeing what on your Facebook profile. We highly recommend going through all the privacy settings to verify your privacy is properly protected.

Anything that is not set to friends only or friends of friends can be seen by anyone searching on the Internet. Below is a few things we recommend for most users.

1. Under Search in Privacy settings uncheck Public Search Results. This will prevent users from finding your account and profile picture in search results such as Google
2. Under Application settings, make sure you're only allowing applications you want to have access to your information. Applications that you grant rights to can have access to your Facebook profile information.

• If you're curious to see how a program or web page connect to the Facebook API can see your profile see Tip135.

Use the Facebook top bar for navigation

Knowing how to properly navigate is vital if you want to get the most out of Facebook. Below is a brief description of each of the available options in the top bar as shown above.

Home (facebook logo) - Clicking this logo will take you to your wall (News Feed) that shows all friends recent posts.

Friend requests - If any friend requests are waiting to be approved this icon will show a notification of how many friends are waiting for approval. This icon can also be clicked when you want to view any friend recommendations or search for friends on Facebook.

Messages - This section allows you to send and receive private messages between one or more people you're friends with.

Notifications - Any time a friend or Facebook application creates a new post you'll be notified in this section. Clicking this icon will show all recent notifications. If you wish to change what is capable of sending you notifications including any Facebook applications or games click the See All Notifications link at the bottom and check or uncheck what you want to be notified on.

Search - Finally, the search box in Facebook can be a powerful tool that can be used to quickly find any current friends or people on Facebook. In addition searching for terms such as a company name, product, sports team, music band, etc. will find fan pages and groups that can be joined.

Modify your account notifications

Keep your e-mail and your cell phone clean by updating or eliminate Facebook notifications or keep more up-to-date by adding new notifications. Facebook notifications can be added and removed by clicking Account link in the top right corner, thenAccount Settings, and then clicking the Notifications tab.

Top News and Most Recent

By default Facebook will display your wall postings in the News format, which means it only displays posts it believes are most relevant to you. These results are based on your past interaction with your friends. If you want to see every post made by all your friends that are not hidden click the Most recent link in the upper right section of your news feed as shown in the above picture example.

If you want to adjust who shows up manually click the Edit Options in the bottom right corner of your news feed.

View High School work friends

If you've added your High School or previous Work locations to your profile, quickly see all classmates and co-workers on Facebook by clicking the link in your Info tab under your profile.

Quickly change profile picture

Your profile picture can be quickly changed to any other picture by visiting your profile, hovering the mouse over your current profile picture, and clicking the Change Picture link that appears in the top right corner of the picture.

Don't post private information on friend's walls on in comments

When you make a post on a friend's wall or in any of their comments realize that any of their friends are going to be able to see that post. If you wish for something to remain only between you and a friend send them a Facebook message instead.

Suggestions and random friend invites

As you get more friends on Facebook it will begin making friend, groups, and fan suggestions. These are suggestions made by Facebook and not your friends. Unless these are something you're interested in they can be ignored.

This same rule can be applied to people who may want to be your friend that you don't know. If you don't know someone don't accept his or her friend invite. Once someone becomes your friend they'll have access to any information your friends are capable of seeing.

Tag your Facebook friends in your photos

Always make sure to tag any of your Facebook friends that are in pictures you upload. However, never tag someone who is not in the picture. When someone is tagged in a photo that picture is automatically added to that persons profile and is a great way to share pictures with all friends.

NASA shares image of massive ‘Hexagon’ on Saturn

NASA’s new images of the “Hexagon” feature are the first to show a complete view of Saturn’s north pole.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

• NASA shared video of massive, multi-colored hexagon on Saturn
• The image shows a weather pattern with 200-mph winds
• The Cassini spacecraft has been orbiting Saturn since 2004

 

NASA’s Cassini spacecraft has provided your multicolored space distraction of the day: images of a swirling, six-sided weather feature on the surface of Saturn.

Scientists say the “Hexagon,” the formation’s working title at NASA, is unlike anything they’ve seen elsewhere.

They say the feature is “turbulent and unstable,” packing 200-mph winds. That’s nearly 50 mph stronger than the wind speed required for a Category 5 hurricane.

“A hurricane on Earth typically lasts a week, but this has been here for decades — and who knows — maybe centuries,” said Andrew Ingersoll, a Cassini team member at the California Institute of Technology.

The Cassini spacecraft was launched in 1997 and has been in orbit around Saturn, the sixth planet from the sun, since 2004. NASA hopes it will collect more pictures and other data of Saturn and its rings and moons through 2017.

Cassini had photographed the hexagon before. But the short video clip released this week is the first high-resolution image of the massive jet stream, and the first with color filters.

Cassini captured images of the hexagon over a 10-hour time period on December 10, 2012.

The images, which scientists are still analyzing, are rendered in “false color,” a method that makes it easier to tell the difference between different parts of the storm. To human eyes, the hexagon and the planet’s north pole would appear in tones of gold and blue.

Cassini arrived at Saturn in 2004. But NASA has begun getting better images of the planet from Cassini since sunlight began bathing Saturn’s northern hemisphere with the arrival of the planet’s spring season in 2009. (“Seasons” on Saturn go on for years, as the distant planet’s orbit around the sun takes 29 years.)

Bloomberg: Apple will launch 4.7-inch and 5.5-inch iPhones next year

10:05 AMApple has said on several occasions that it doesn’t offer an iPhone with a larger display because such devices require too many user experience compromises. According to a new report, either Apple stopped caring about those compromises or it found ways around them. Numerous news organizations and analysts have claimed over the past few months that Apple is testing larger displays of varying sizes for its next-generation iPhone. The Wall Street Journal said Apple is testing displays up to 6 inches, Jefferies & Co. analyst Peter Misek said the iPhone 6 will sport a 4.8-inch display, DisplaySearch’s David Hsieh said Apple was toying with a 4.7-inch screen and a 5.7-inch screen, and the latest report suggested that Apple’s next-generation iPhone will feature a 5-inch 1080p display. Well, it looks like they were all wrong.
Bloomberg on Sunday claimed to have confirmed that Apple is launching not one but two completely redesigned iPhone models next year. One will feature a display that measures 4.7 inches diagonally, perhaps the flagship “iPhone 6,” and the second will enter iPhablet territory with a 5.5-inch display nearly as large as the 5.7-inch panel on Samsung’s massive Galaxy Note 3.
According to the report, both new 2014 iPhone models will feature displays covered by glass that “curves downward at the edges.” The report does not claim that the new iPhones will use flexible or curved displays like recent offerings from Samsung and LG, but rather that the glass covering the panels will be curved.
The report also says Apple is working on iPhones that will feature pressure-sensitive screens that can measure the amount of pressure applied when the user touches them. Bloomberg says that this new display technology might be included on future iPhone models at some point, but not on the handsets Apple has planned for 2014.
In our review of the iPhone 5s after using it for a month, we said Apple’s tiny iPhone screen was one of the least appealing things about the phone, though we hoped that once Apple finally does move up to a larger display size, it finds a way to do so without significantly increasing the overall footprint of the phone. Recent chatter suggests that Apple’s new iPhones will feature displays that extend almost all the way to the side edges of the devices, suggesting that the new iPhones may be far narrower than rival phones despite the fact that they will accommodate new larger screens.