2008 Woodie Awards
Web site of the week: lala.com
Jay Baker
Issue date: 3/6/07 Section: Technology
With the advent of the iPod, many predicted that the CD would go the way of the cassette and the 8-track (whatever that is). But with growing dissatisfaction towards digital rights managements, many still have, use and buy CDs, if for no other purpose than to rip the tracks for their iPod or other mp3 player. Many people have even had CD trading parties to trade CDs with their friends.
Lala.com, takes that idea and extends it to everyone. Sign up, list the CDs in your collection (without any obligation to trade), list the CDs you want to trade for, edit your profile and wait to see if anyone offers a trade. When you accept a trade, you pay $1.75 (for processing and shipping) and Lala sends you a pre-paid, addressed envelope (in the same style as Netflix). After that, just send it off and wait for your new CD.
Lala has great features other than just the CD exchange (which is great in and of itself). You get a semi-customizable profile where you can link with other friends on the Lala network, write blog entries and review albums. You can browse other members "have lists" by tags, their profiles or by searching. And, of course, if you can't wait for a trade, you can always buy a new CD from Lala's store. The prices range from average to pretty good deals.
Lala has some great features and they are responsible to the artists. They give 20 percent of their revenues to the artists, something that some services don't do for new CDs. They have a smooth Web 2.0 presentation that's easy to navigate and use. If you have a bunch of CDs you don't listen to anymore or that you're just tired of, then Lala is surely worth a look.
Note: Lala does not encourage piracy. Users cannot trade copied CDs. Also, though Lala certainly cannot check, you are legally obligated to delete any copies of songs from traded CDs you may have ripped to your computer.
Lala.com, takes that idea and extends it to everyone. Sign up, list the CDs in your collection (without any obligation to trade), list the CDs you want to trade for, edit your profile and wait to see if anyone offers a trade. When you accept a trade, you pay $1.75 (for processing and shipping) and Lala sends you a pre-paid, addressed envelope (in the same style as Netflix). After that, just send it off and wait for your new CD.
Lala has great features other than just the CD exchange (which is great in and of itself). You get a semi-customizable profile where you can link with other friends on the Lala network, write blog entries and review albums. You can browse other members "have lists" by tags, their profiles or by searching. And, of course, if you can't wait for a trade, you can always buy a new CD from Lala's store. The prices range from average to pretty good deals.
Lala has some great features and they are responsible to the artists. They give 20 percent of their revenues to the artists, something that some services don't do for new CDs. They have a smooth Web 2.0 presentation that's easy to navigate and use. If you have a bunch of CDs you don't listen to anymore or that you're just tired of, then Lala is surely worth a look.
Note: Lala does not encourage piracy. Users cannot trade copied CDs. Also, though Lala certainly cannot check, you are legally obligated to delete any copies of songs from traded CDs you may have ripped to your computer.
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