David.R.Gilson

Spotify invites again

Jan 31

Personal David 20 Comments
audio, invites, p2p, spotify, stremaing

Just a quick note to say I have a new set of Spotify invites, so leave a comment if you want one!

Tip of the week – 30th January 2008

Jan 30

How-To Guides David No Comments
cloud, pdf, pdfmenot

View a PDF file in your browser without having to load up a 3rd party application: PDFMENOT.com

Also, Pdfmenot bookmarklet, hyperlink hacking and Firefox extension

New search bar

Jan 29

Website Updates David No Comments
GIMP, header, searchbox

Just a quick design update. I posted last week about changes to the header, including a search box. Well, I’ve just done some more cosmetic work to that. On the submit button I’ve changed the image of the word “search” to an image fitting with the text box image showing a magnifying glass, a common symbol for searching.

(Of course, all graphics work is done with good wholesome free and open source software, namely The GIMP.)

Header - after

The new search button.

What else does Spotify need to succeed?

Jan 28

Editorial David 8 Comments
audio, community, music, p2p, piracy, playlist, plugins, spotify, streaming

An example of searching for music on Spotify

Recently I’ve been trying out a music program called Spotify, I actually posted about handing out invites last week and this week. I would describe Spotify as an internet jukebox. It looks much like any other library based media player. I.e. you browse or search for artists or albums and you are presented with a list of results and you choose what to listen to. Except here, that the music isn’t stored on your computer, it’s out there on the internet. Spotify also has a novel feature of shared playlists, which is great for spreading the word about certain music.

While using Spotify for the short time I’ve had it, I’ve had a number of thoughts of changes that I think they need to make. Not that I’m a know it all, although for the moment it’s a one trick pony, it only searches the Spotify system for music that Spotify has, and stream it to you over the internet.

If you either don’t want to pay for your music, or want to try before you buy, in many ways it is still more convenient to visit your favourite file sharing site. Spotify gives you free music with adverts and you can only use it on your computer. Whereas shared/pirated music can be put on any portable device and has no adverts, what’s not to like?

Spotify does have a great community feature of collaborative playlists (E.g. CNET UK is currently running a playlist for its forum members), as well as last.fm inegration. I think this is where they need to build value in their product. I don’t just mean community features within the application, I mean inviting a community to build a whole ecosystem around their service.

So here are my thoughts of what needs to be added to Spotify

• Publish an API so that other media players can connect to the Spotify network. E.g. Songbird and WinAmp support plugins and it would extend Spotify’s potential audience.
• Support Shoutcast radio stations. Spotify already has something called “Radio”, but it isn’t really internet radio. It’s just another way of searching their server library.
• Write a mobile client for Spotify. Support several smartphone platforms, Symbian, Android, iPhone & even Windows Mobile if they’re in a good mood
• Have the Spotify client integrate your existing music library. This would be done by means of supporting iTunes for those users and watching hard drive folders for everyone else. As much music as Spotify has, its library isn’t that comprehensive. Although, if you already have the music you want to hear, you could then still listen within the Spotify application.
• Rate music so you can search for highly rated music.
• Have the option to submit creative commons music. This of course would be subject to moderation, which would cost money. Although Spotify could really help out amateur and upcoming artists by allowing them to upload from their desktop.
• The ability to request copy righted music that you could not legitimately submit yourself.

Related links

• Spotify Playlists
• Suggestion for Spotify
• Spotify First Look
• Spotify goes live today
• The celestial jukebox arrives – Spotify launches!
• Spotify – Last.fm on crack!
• Spotify: hours of free music, basically

More Spotify invites!

Jan 26

How-To Guides David 26 Comments
audio, internet, invites, jukebox, spotify, streaming

Hello everyone,

More news on Spotify invites! First of all, I have discovered that I have more invites to Spotify to give away, so please leave a comment if you’d like an invite.

An example of searching for music on Spotify

Also, I had an e-mail from reader Åsmund, who asked:

Hello, I was just wondering how you got invites on Spotify. I have no invites at the moment on my account.
Thanks again for the invite by the way

Fortunately, there is an easy answer to this question.

1. Login at Spotify’s website: https://www.spotify.com/en/login/
2. Next go to the share page at https://www.spotify.com/en/account/share/
3. Click on “Create Invitation” and follow the instructions.