[kevishev]

I recently switched my internet provider to SBC Yahoo DSL service. As part of their service you get what is called "lauchcast raido". Continuous streaming audio with no talking, promos, commercials, requests or other foolishness. Just continuous, randomly selected music. That's all.

But that's NOT ALL there is to it. It's an intuitive, interactive raidio that lets you have a certain amount of control over the content you listen to. You can even create your own "my station" if you wish, that plays only songs and artists of your choice.

It took a bit of digging on my part, but I was able to find that they do have an excellent "Progressive Rock" station. (You have to be an SBC Yahoo DSL subscriber to get it.) This in and of itself is really no big deal. Lots of Progressive Rock streams out there on the net right? What makes this service extraordinary, in my opinion, is the "Skip" button and the rating system they have in place to get your feedback on the songs or artists playing. These ratings also influence the content that plays on "my station" if you have one.

I discovered that if you don't like the song or the artist that is playing, you can hit the "Skip" button and another song will begin playing immediately. It's almost like "On Demand". This service is also remarkable in this respect, it gives you the oportunity to "rate" the artist, song or album you're listening to. One of the choices in the rating system is "Never Play Again". If you use this rating, you won't hear that song ever again. Or you can choose to never hear anything by that particular artist ever again.

What a fucking righteous concept dude!!!

I don't know how they are able to do this, but it is increddible!

And if you're one of those people that just has to hear what somebody else wants to hear, you can search for other members with your musical tastes and listen to their "my station". Once again, all totally interative. It's really quite remarkable.

So if you're an SBC Yahoo DSL subscriber, you may want to check this out just for shits and giggles.

But I will always love the Aural Moon because it was my first internet streaming audio experience 'lo those many years ago. It's like my first love. I'll never get over it.

Kev