I got hooked on Last.fm last summer.  Since then, I've scrobbled over 6,800 tracks.. not bad!  (I've been a music junkie my entire life).

I submit my played tracks from all of my music players (Foobar2000, Winamp, iTunes, Squeezebox/SlimServer).  It populates fantastic statistics and charts of my listening habits and lets me listen to streams from people with similar tastes.

Here are my top 10 artists since I started using it:

Once you scrobble enough tracks, you can start streaming custom stations based on your listening habits.  Something new they just added is the ability to embed a Last.fm player widget into your own site. I just knocked up a quick web page with the embedded player so I can listen to my own station from anywhere that has a browser (requires Flash).  Check it out and have a listen.

(* I am not affiliated with Slim Devices.. this is just a fanboy post.)

I wanted to hook up something that would integrate my home PC (jacked full of glorious DRM-free MP3's) and my home audio system. I didn't want to go the full HTPC route, I am more of an audio guy and my immediate need is for an audio-only solution.

After browsing the various Media Servers, Sound Cards, External Components, and other music playing gizmos; I finally figured out the type of unit I was looking for and what it should do...

Here are my requirements:

• Must be able to play the MP3's stored on my computer
• Must have a cross platform client application (I use both Linux and Windows at home)
• Must have high quality analog and digital output that can connect to my receiver/amp
• Must have a remote with basic controls (volume, tuning, select, etc)
• Must be able to control it from my computer (change songs, playlists, etc)
• Must be able to stream Internet Radio (of some sort)
• No wires connected to my PC

Obviously some of these requirements became apparent when I read about the Squeezebox from Slim Devices.  It seems to do everything I need (and more), and isn't outrageously expensive ($299 retail).

So I ended up ordering one of these bad boys to play around with.  (of course I got the all black version)

OK.. but now the real reason I chose the Squeezebox... It is Open Source and has a developer community!

Well... it is sort of Open Source.  Its SlimServer software (the audio server software) is GPL licensed, so the Source Code is available to modify, hack, and contribute to.  But.. the device's firmware is proprietary and closed (boo).

The real kicker came when I realized that the SlimServer is written in Perl It is web based, and uses templated HTML/CSS.  Hmm.. I've written a Perl program or 2 [thousand] in my day... this could get interesting.  I already have SlimServer running from Source and I am making little tweaks to the interface to customize it for myself.  Hopefully someday I'll do something worth contributing back...  I love that I have the option.

... More to come once I actually get the Sqeezebox and hook it up..  I just ordered it last night.