A Thing: The 6th. (Grooveshark.)

Beware:  The following post may prove to be passionate, because the tool we are about to discuss is a very specific Web 2.0 tool, and it's one of my favorites on the Web!  (Grooveshark.)

In this tech-savvy sea we're all being forced to sink or swim in, there are tons of tools that can be used for media organization, sharing, and discovery!  There are wads of websites designated for photos, artwork, videos, literature, and music alike!  As I mentioned, above, one of my favorite 2.0 tools is Grooveshark--a site used for uploading, organizing, sharing, discovering, and listening to music!  For those of you who have never heard of it, there are three other well-known music tools I will compare it to:  iTunes, Pandora, and Spotify.  For me, at least, the evolution went like this:

1. iTunes is a tool used to organize and listen to music you own.
2. Pandora is a tool used to listen to interactive radio.
3. Spotify is a tool used to organize and listen to music you do or do not own, and listen to interactive radio including music you do or do not own.  
4. Grooveshark is a tool used to organize and listen to music you do or do not own, and listen to interactive radio including music you do or do not own, without the interruption of ads.  

Below, is a chart comparing the features of these tools:  

However, don't let the chart influence you too much.  There is value in ALL of these applications, and it really just depends on personal preference.

If you look at the chart, you may be wondering why I'm writing about Grooveshark and not Spotify when the only difference is the lack of ads.  I will tell you why, right now:  I am a diehard music lover in such a huge way I'm not even sure that there are words around that can adequately explain it.  When I listen to an album, I am a completely rapt listener.  I am not just doing it because I kind of think the music is neat.  For me, listening to music in and of itself is an experience, and nothing frustrates me more than some grating ad popping up at some unappreciated and inopportune time, during the album's course.  That is why I prefer Grooveshark over Spotify.  Sure, I could purchase a membership to Spotify, but hey, I'm a broke college student; what do you expect?

The only downfall of Grooveshark, for me, is that the music is user-organized, and therefore may not be completely accurate, as far as things like track names or listings go.  However, this can be remedied with a quick stop at Wikipedia, Google, or any other easy source of information (and some discretion).  But for me, not having ads is worth it.

In an educational environment, I think that Grooveshark could definitely be of use to a teacher!  I think that music is an excellent way to stimulate children in a learning environment.  It can be offered as an incentive for good behavior, and used as a means of inspiration in a prompt situation for a class with a creative nature, such as Creative Writing, Art, or Theatre.  It could also be a good resource for Music teachers or teachers whose classes cover topics relating to music, for they could use it to play relevant songs for students.  Whatever situation arises in a classroom that requires free music, and fast, Grooveshark could help!  

I invite you, readers, to look into, not just Grooveshark, but all of these media tools, and decide which one best suits your needs.  I also invite you to tell me which one is your favorite, in the comment section, and why.  Also, just a note:  I compiled the table, myself, so if you feel that any of the information represented in it is inaccurate, feel free to let me know!