I’ve been pretty good in iTunes lately on “New Music Tuesdays”… refraining from clicking the all to easy to use “BUY ALBUM” button. Last night I noticed that Amazon has begun to sell DRM free MP3 files on AmazonMP3 . My first instinct was to dismiss it as another one of those “iTunes killers” that wind up extinct in no time at all, but then I noticed that it actually worked with Mac and iTunes/iPod. This was something new. First thing this morning, I search around the store a bit. There is a decent selection of music, nowhere near what iTunes has, but still not bad. I found a Marc Broussard CD I didn’t have for $4.52, and I’m a sucker for live music. I downloaded the AmazonMP3 Downloader which was pretty simple, clicked “Buy MP3 Album” and in no time, I’m listening in iTunes. Sweet. AmazonMP3 is priced right, DRM-free, and is very easy to use.

Communication Arts is Out of Touch

I’ve found myself reading less and less of the articles lately as well. The latest Interactive Annual hasn’t arrived yet at my office, but the fact that 32 of the 33 web sites are flash, and the remaining one site isn’t that great, leaves me frustrated. There was a time not long ago, that I couldn’t wait for this issue (at one point a CD) to arrive. Now it appears that web design inspiration can be better found in sites like CSS Mania, CSS Import, and unmatchedstyle.com.

So, today I go to pack my PowerBook up and head to the office and discover that the power adaptor doesn’t want to come out. I’ve had some issues with the adaptor lately, issues involving extreme heat and sparks. I was beginning to wonder if I should’ve spent the extra money and just ordered an Apple power adaptor, this morning there was no doubt. The tip of the plug had broken off and was stuck inside the laptop. I was unable to charge the battery, and unable to remove the broken piece.

“I can finally get a new MacBook!!!” I yelled.

“Not so fast… ” said my wallet.

I began to search Google for any other poor souls stuck with the same dilemma as myself. I tried every thing I could find. Paperclip, thumb tacks, super glue. It was no use. I finally decided to tear the whole thing down and see if I could get at the piece then. Long story short, I managed to disassemble the PowerBook, use a small aluminum nail and remove the stuck piece. Things went back together fairly easy and I only had 2 extra screws left… *shrug*

The source of all my problems…