More on Music

Dig This, Too: It wouldn't surprise you if I said people often suggest I get a life. People would say the same to you, too, if you spent as much time as I do digging up spots for "Dig This." But I think this guy's Chia Pet site takes the cake in getting a life. Click an image, sprinkle a little seed, and watch the Chia Pet grow.

I'm enjoying the dickens out of La La because it lets me get rid of boring old CDs and pick up new-to-me music. Since the middle of April, I've sent six CDs to La La subscribers and received seven CDs in return. My cost? $7.45, about as much as I'd pay for one used CD on Amazon.

La La is simple--you can "trade" music CDs with others. Well, you're not actually trading CDs directly with individuals. It's more like a music clearinghouse with La La acting as the intermediary.

The only difficult task is getting your CDs listed on La La. The easiest way is to download La La's plug-in (there are versions for iTunes, Windows Media Player , and WinAmp) and let it grab the CD titles while you play the discs. When you play a CD, the plug-in lets you click a button labeled "I have it" and the deed's done. Just as cool is that plug-in shows you other CDs by the same group or musician, as well as similar artists. Click the "I want it" button and that deed's done, too.

Just because a CD is on your "Have" list doesn't mean you have to part with it. If someone requests a CD from your list, you can ignore the request--or mark the CD as one you'd prefer keeping.

You pay La La $1.50 (a buck for the trade, the rest for postage) for each CD you request, and the CDs are shipped directly to you by the previous owner. La La sends you as many prepaid mailing envelopes and sturdy CD cases as you need to ship your old CDs off to new owners.

BTW, PC Worlders Harry McCracken and Eric Dahl have blogged about La La.

La La is still in beta, but there's no risk. Here's an invitation to the site. You'll need to give them credit card info to register. Now stop kvetching--it's their policy, not mine. BTW, La La is for U.S. residents only.

Dig This: Ever get the urge to drive your Ferrari through the streets of Paris? At 140 MPH? It happened in 1978 and someone shot a video . (Turn down your volume, it's a little loud.) [Thanks to Alex for this little adventure.]