Tech Stuff

Why Reddit Is My Favorite Corner of the Internet (And No, It’s Not That Kind of Social Media)

Young man working on his computer at night while on his bed

So, I’ve mentioned before that I’ve kinda bailed on most social media platforms (though recently, I’ve discovered BlueSky and I’m semi-obsessed). You might remember me ranting about the endless scrolling, the algorithm doom spiral, and the fact that I was basically stalking people I haven’t seen since middle school. But Roger, you might be thinking, isn’t Reddit social media? And honestly, maybe? Or maybe not? It’s like Schrödinger’s cat of internet platforms. Reddit’s technically a massive collection of forums, and really, that feels more like chilling in a library with a bunch of different club meetings happening around you than anything else.

I think the best part is that there’s a forum (or subreddit, if we wanna be fancy about it) for literally any interest you might have. Seriously, if you love Labradors, there’s a subreddit full of people posting pics of chonky lab pups living their best lives. Into playing cards? Yup, you got your r/playingcards subreddit ready with people discussing rare decks like they’re sports cars. Obsessed with credit card rewards? You bet there’s a group of folks in r/creditcards, plotting how to max out those sweet cashback points. It’s a little wild how niche it gets. Like the other day, I stumbled upon a subreddit all about sharpening knives. Knives! (Apparently, it’s a whole vibe.) And beyond that, you can even find local communities—cities like Milwaukee or Chicago have their own subreddits, and heck, even whole states do. It’s like the internet’s equivalent of a community potluck; everyone brings something to the table, even if it’s just memes.

So, I’m not hanging out on r/pics waiting for someone to “like” my selfie (because, shockingly, I’m way past my selfie phase—I think). No, I’m over here searching things like, “Kobo ereader Reddit” or “Best post-shave balm Reddit” because seriously, when Google throws up nothing but sponsored reviewers trying to sell me stuff, Reddit is like a breath of fresh, unsponsored air. I just want to know if that Kobo is gonna feel like holding a tiny paperback in my hands or if it’s gonna make me long for the smell of bookshop dust. Is that too much to ask? And I’ll tell you what: Reddit doesn’t try to sell me $1,000 headphones I didn’t ask for, so it’s already earned major points with me.

It’s wild how Reddit has actually become part of how I search for things. Try it. Google anything—anything at all—and slap “Reddit” at the end of your search. Boom. You’ve unlocked a portal to real people’s real experiences, with zero immediate pop-ups asking you to subscribe to insert tech blog that you’ve never heard of. Honestly, it’s kinda refreshing not having an algorithm shove carefully curated (and sometimes suspiciously sponsored) content down your throat. You just wade into whatever topic you’re curious about and see what other folks have to say. Does it require an occasional grain of salt? Sure. But hey, Reddit’s kinda like scouring the world’s most eccentric public library—some days you find treasure, other days… well, let’s just say r/conspiracy theories exists for better or worse.

But okay, disclaimer: I get dangerously sucked in sometimes. Like, you’ll think you’re just dipping your toe in on a quick search, and suddenly it’s three hours later, and you’re on page 7 of a thread about whatever niche thing you’d never even thought about till now. One moment you’re reading honest reviews of an e-reader, next you’re 60 comments deep in some dude’s account of how his Roomba staged an uprising. Time? What is time on Reddit? So yeah, just saying, proceed with caution—Reddit is both the savior of your Google searches and the black hole you never see coming until it’s already eaten your afternoon. Yup, sounds fun, right?

I guess the “secret sauce” is that Reddit is this mishmash of education and entertainment. You’re learning stuff (the other day I learned that sloths actually poop only once a week, and admittedly that’s a weird thing to know), but it’s also, let’s be real—like super binge-able. One second you’re the responsible adult, researching real estate advice, then wham, you’re laughing at a meme about capybaras in hats. Seriously… capybaras! Why are they so chill all the time?

This whole “subscription” thing is genius, too. Not in the money-sucking, algorithm-feeding, soul-draining way that other platforms do. Nope. On Reddit, you subscribe to forums—or subreddits—that actually interest you, and suddenly your feed is filled with discussions, links, memes, and rants all tailored to whatever niche you’re vibing with at the moment. Checking out a new city? There are subreddits for that. I’m not even kidding, r/Milwaukee is a legit community where locals talk about my fair city’s best spots or complain about the weather (classic, right?). Add in a subreddit for Chicago, Wisconsin as a whole, heck even Lasagna probably has its own corner. There’s legit space for everything here.

Anyway, if you haven’t tried appending “Reddit” to your searches, I low-key challenge you to give it a go. It changes the game! Plus, there’s something unique about knowing you’re digging into thoughts from fellow internet adventurers, rather than getting spoon-fed by SEO-optimized, commercially-driven content. I’m forever grateful to those random humans typing away on long threads, especially at 3 AM when I’m deciding between two air fryers.

And hey, maybe the next time you get “lost” in Reddit-land, you’ll discover something that’s unexpectedly useful! Or at least get hot takes on the latest mediocre Netflix show. We can dream.

Until next time (maybe tomorrow?)…safe scrolling… and, uh, don’t blame me when the hours disappear.


Golem's Guardian book cover

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My Adventures in French with Language Reactor

man studying frenchBonjour, mes amis! 🇫🇷

So, I’ve been on this mission to brush up on my French, right (I’m planning on going to France next year but that’s a topic for another post)? And let me tell you, it’s been quite the journey! 🌍 I stumbled upon this nifty tool called Language Reactor, and honestly, it’s been a game changer. Here’s the lowdown on my quirky adventure with it.

  Diving into the Deep End 🏊‍♂️

First off, let me set the scene. Picture me, a typical Tuesday evening, armed with a cup of coffee and an overwhelming desire to parler français like a pro. Enter Language Reactor. This little gem hooks right into Netflix (yep, you heard that right, Netflix!), turning my binge-watching sessions into a full-blown French lesson. 🎬🇫🇷

This super cool Google Chrome extension is like having a personal French tutor right at your fingertips . It works its magic on Netflix, Youtube, and tons of other websites, transforming them into interactive language learning labs .

How It Works:

Dual subtitles: See the original French alongside the English translation. No more frantic dictionary flipping!

Text-to-speech: Listen to the text being read aloud in crystal-clear French. Perfect for practicing your listening comprehension.

Word lookup: Click on any word to get its definition, pronunciation, and even add it to your personal vocabulary list for later study .

PhrasePump! This feature generates customizable sentence drills based on your current learning level . It’s like having a personalized French tutor whispering sweet grammar rules in your ear .

The Hilarity of Learning 😄. And let’s not forget the fun factor. Each language comes with its own quirks and surprises. Imagine learning Japanese and suddenly understanding anime without subtitles. Or cracking the code of those intense Spanish soap operas. It’s like unlocking a secret world where everything is slightly more awesome.

But wait, there’s more! Language Reactor isn’t just for French. This bad boy supports a plethora of languages like Spanish, German, Italian, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, Arabic, and the list goes on! Want to order pasta in perfect Italian? Check. ream of discussing Dostoevsky in Russian? You bet. Basically, it’s like a buffet of language learning goodness waiting to be devoured .

Beyond Just Words 🌐

Here’s the thing: Language Reactor isn’t just about learning words and grammar. It’s about diving headfirst into different cultures. One day, you’re a detective in a German thriller; the next, you’re laughing at a Chinese rom-com. It’s like a round-the-world trip without leaving your couch.

I’m telling you, this extension is a total game-changer for language learning. It’s fun, interactive, and super effective . And the best part? It’s completely free!

So, what are you waiting for? Go download Language Reactor and unlock your inner polyglot . Just remember, practice makes perfect, so get out there and start speaking French (or any other language you fancy) like a pro!

Merci for reading! Until next time,

Your friendly neighborhood language nerd,
Roger

P.S. Random Fact Alert 🚨

Did you know that the longest word in French is “anticonstitutionnellement”? It means “in a manner that is contrary to the constitution.” Thanks, Language Reactor, for that gem. I’ll definitely drop it in casual conversation. 😉

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Don’t Get Left in the Digital Dust: Why Keeping Up with Tech Matters!

guy with a vr headset
Photo by @soberanes

Today, let’s have a cozy chat about why it’s super important to keep up with technology. Given how quickly technology changes these days, I thought this would be a relevant topic for discussion. I know many people find it challenging to try to keep up with tech and sometimes think it would be easier to give up.  But I’m here to tell you the opposite — that keeping up with tech is super important.

You know that feeling when you’re trying to figure out how to use your new-fangled smartTV, and it might as well be a spaceship control panel? Yeah, been there, done that, and let me tell you, it’s not fun. Trust me, you don’t want to be that person who’s stuck in a state of perpetual confusion because you don’t understand everyday technology. Let’s face it; we live in a digital age, and tech is everywhere. From smartphones to smart homes, from streaming to social media, it’s all around us.

Now, I’m not saying you need to be a tech guru or an expert coder (unless you want to be, of course). But a basic understanding of technology is becoming as essential as knowing how to tie your shoelaces (or maybe even more so). Here are a few reasons why:

  1. Communication: Most of our communication these days happens online. Whether it’s texting, emailing, or video chatting with loved ones, technology is the glue that keeps us connected. Don’t want to be the friend who can’t join the Zoom call because you can’t figure out how to unmute yourself, right?
  2. Work: In the job market, tech skills are in high demand. Whether you’re a doctor, a chef, or an astronaut (okay, maybe not an astronaut), chances are you’ll need to use technology in your work. Plus, understanding tech can make you more efficient and competitive in your career.
  3. Everyday Life: From online shopping to banking to ordering food, technology makes our daily lives easier. Keeping up with it can save you time, money, and a whole lot of hassle.
  4. Not Getting Left Behind: In this digital era, not keeping pace with technology can mean getting left behind. As technology evolves, so does the way society functions. Whether it’s the job market, education, or daily interactions, everything is becoming more tech-centric. Staying updated prevents us from becoming obsolete in our skills and understanding of the world. For me, it is important not to be bumbling around the world in a state of confusion because I didn’t bother to try and understand everyday technology.
  5. Staying Safe & Secure: With the rise in digital technology, there’s also an increase in cyber threats. Understanding the latest in tech means you’re better equipped to protect yourself against cyberattacks and data breaches. Knowledge about things like secure passwords, two-factor authentication, and data encryption is super important.
  6. Making Informed Decisions: When you’re up-to-date with technology, you can make more informed decisions about the tech products and services you use. This knowledge can save you money (no more buying tech you don’t need!) and improve your overall experience with technology.
  7. Never Stop Learning: Finally, keeping up with technology is a continuous learning process. It keeps your mind active and engaged, and there’s always something new to discover. Whether it’s a new app, a software update, or a groundbreaking gadget, the tech world is constantly evolving, offering endless opportunities to learn and grow.

So what’s the secret?

For someone who isn’t tech-savvy, keeping up with technology can seem daunting. Heck, it’s even exhausting for those of us who enjoy tech. However, there are several accessible ways to gradually increase your understanding and comfort with new tech:

  • Start with Basic Online Tutorials: Look for beginner-friendly tutorials on platforms like YouTube or Khan Academy. They often have step-by-step guides on various tech topics, explained in simple terms.
  • Use Simplified Tech News Sources: Websites like Digital Trends or Tech for Luddites offer technology news and information in an easy-to-understand format, avoiding overly technical jargon.
  • Enroll in Introductory Tech Courses: Websites like Coursera, Udemy, or your local community college offer beginner courses in computer literacy, internet basics, and introductory courses in various software.
  • Leverage Interactive Learning Tools: Tools like Duolingo for languages or Codecademy for coding offer interactive, user-friendly ways to learn at your own pace, often starting from a very basic level.
  • Join Beginner-Friendly Tech Communities: Online forums or local clubs for beginners can provide a supportive environment for learning and asking questions. Platforms like Meetup can help you find local groups.
  • Explore Technology in Public Libraries: Many public libraries offer free access to computers and basic computer classes, as well as resources like books and online materials for learning about technology.
  • Ask for Help from Family and Friends: If you have family members or friends who are more tech-savvy, ask them for guidance or to explain things in a way that makes sense to you.
  • Use Technology in Daily Life: Incorporate technology into your daily activities, like using a smartphone for tasks like shopping or navigation, which can help you get comfortable with tech in a practical, hands-on way.
  • Set Small, Achievable Goals: Start with small goals, like learning to send an email, using a new app, or understanding how to protect your online privacy.
  • Stay Patient and Persistent: Remember that technology is a vast field and it’s normal to feel overwhelmed. Take it one step at a time and celebrate small victories in your learning journey.
  • Read Tech Blogs: Well, I’m a big fan of tech blogs! I subscribe to several of them and make it a point to read them daily. These blogs are like my tech-savvy friends who keep me in the know about the latest gadgets, software updates, and tech trends. They break down complex tech jargon into everyday language, so even tech newbies can grasp the concepts.

By starting with the basics and gradually building up your skills, you can become more comfortable and confident in navigating the ever-changing world of technology.

So, the bottom line is this: Don’t let technology pass you by. Embrace it, learn from it, and use it to your advantage. Subscribe to a few tech blogs, follow tech influencers on social media, or join online tech forums to stay informed. It’s not about being a tech wizard; it’s about staying engaged with the world around you.

As technology continues to evolve at lightning speed, you don’t want to amble about in a state of confusion. Instead, be the person who confidently navigates the digital landscape, adapts to new tech effortlessly, and can impress their friends with their tech-savvy prowess. Who knows, you might even find that you enjoy it! So, stay curious, stay connected, and stay tech-savvy, my friends. 🚀📱💻

Roger

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Kanopy: Your Ticket to Free Movie Nights Courtesy of Your Library Card!


Photo by Jeshoots.com

So, I’ve stumbled upon this absolute gem of a service, and I just had to share it with you all. It’s called Kanopy, and get this – it’s like finding a secret door in your library that leads to a wonderland of films!

Now, let me set the scene. For those of you who follow this blog, you know that I’m on this crazy movie-a-day challenge for an entire year (I know, ambitious, right?), and just when I thought my wallet was going to stage a protest, Kanopy swooped in like a superhero. If it weren’t for this fantastic service, I’d probably be surviving on instant noodles to fund my film addiction!

Kanopy isn’t your run-of-the-mill streaming service. Oh no, it’s more like a cinephile’s dream come true, minus the hefty price tag. Thanks to the fairy godmothers and godfathers at your local public library or university, you can access thousands of films. Yes, you read that right – thousands!

Now, you might be thinking, “What’s the catch?” But here’s the kicker – there isn’t one! If you have a library card or are part of a university, you’re pretty much set. Just sign up, log in, and bam! You’re in movie heaven.

The selection? Oh, it’s like a buffet of cinematic delights. From those artsy indie films that make you feel intellectually superior, to the classic hits that remind you of the good old days. And documentaries? Kanopy’s got them in spades. You can practically hear the voice of your high school history teacher saying, “See, learning can be fun!”

What I love most about Kanopy is the absence of mainstream, commercial noise. It’s like walking into a boutique film shop where each movie is handpicked for its uniqueness. And the best part? No annoying ads interrupting your movie nights. That’s right, ad-free streaming! You can munch on your popcorn in peace.

And for the parents out there, Kanopy Kids is a lifesaver. It’s a safe, educational, and entertaining haven for the little ones. You can finally take a breather while your kids explore a world of learning and fun.

But remember, with great power comes great responsibility. Your access might be limited to a certain number of films per month, so choose wisely. It’s like being on a movie diet – good for your cinematic health!

So yeah, Kanopy is a hidden treasure for movie lovers. It’s easy to use, free with your library card or university affiliation, and offers a diverse range of films. So, grab your library card, pop some corn, and prepare for a movie marathon that won’t cost you a dime.

Catch you on the flip side,
Roger 👋

P.S. Don’t forget to thank your librarians next time. They’re the real MVPs for signing up for this service! 📚🎥🍿

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Combatting Email Spam

Spam, Spam, Endless Spam….

It is just me, or is email spam getting worse? Last week, I noticed that I received a couple of hundred spam messages every day. It might have been especially bad because of Christmas, with vendors desperately trying to part you from your money. Of course, a few recent data breaches may also be to blame. But regardless of the cause, it seems to be getting out of hand.

Though it seems like a losing battle, there are some things you can do to minimize the amount of spam that you receive. One thing I do is have a fake “throwaway” email address that I use for those sites that require registration. It’s an address I never check and only use it in those instances where I don’t want to give out my actual email. I believe Apple’s iCloud mail now has an option to generate fake email addresses as well. If your provider doesn’t, then consider creating a new email address with one of the free services, such as Google.

Another thing you want to do is never respond to a spam message, and that includes unsubscribing (according to “spam experts”). All this does is let the spammer know that they’re sending to a valid email address, resulting in only more spam. As an alternative, add the user’s address/domain to your email client’s spam filter list. Most email programs offer the ability to add addresses of spammers to a spam list which then automatically moves any messages received from that address to the spam folder. That means you never see them — unless you check your spam folder.

My favorite method for eliminating spam — or at least my exposure to it — is using mail filters. What this does, is performs an action on a message that meets specific criteria. For instance, if a message subject contains a particular word or phrase, you can have your email program automatically delete the message or move it into your spam folder for you to verify later. I have a bunch of words and phrases that I use to filter my messages. Whenever an incoming message contains any of these phrases, it’s moved to my spam folder, and I never see it. Here are a few that I use (and I’m constantly adding to the list):

Sale
Bargain
Free
Last Chance
One Day Left
Black Friday
Cyber Monday
Time’s Running Out
Hurry
Deals

You can also use filters to automatically delete messages from specific senders so that they never show up in your inbox. Using filters, spam lists, and fake email addresses, I actually never see the majority of spam sent to me.

So though you’ll probably never eliminate spam entirely (I get a couple every day that manage to sneak in), using a few methods, you can significantly reduce the number of sales/phishing messages you receive.

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Back to Dropbox

Woman looking through files

I mentioned in a previous post that I was reevaluating all of my monthly subscriptions, including my cloud services. I’ve been meaning to combine my cloud accounts for some time now, as it was becoming challenging finding my files as I often could not remember on which cloud drive they were located. It was getting to the point where I was spending way too much time trying to find my stuff. It was time to make some changes.

The Dilemma

Once I sat down and took a look at my infrastructure, I realized how out of control it had gotten. For example, I had files scattered over the following services:

  • iCloud Drive – This is Apple’s cloud service which I used for those apps which sync with iCloud such as Ulysses. I also use this for files I create using Apple’s work apps (Numbers, Pages, and Keynote. Cost: $1.99/month
  • OneDrive – I receive 1 TB of free space on OneDrive because I’m a Microsoft Office 365 subscriber. On here, I only store files that I access with the iOS versions of Microsoft Office. This has proven the most unreliable (and most annoying) of all services. Cost: Free with Office 365
  • Google Drive – I have a family account on which I share space with my spouse. This is used to sync our Google Photos. I also stored files that I didn’t need to access all that often. Cost: $99/year
  • Sync.com – I used this as my main cloud service, on which I stored the majority of my files. I loved how secure they are and the fact that they’re located in Canada. Unfortunately, some of my favorite iOS apps were unable to sync with them. Cost: $129/year (for 3TB).
  • Dropbox: I had the free account, which I only used to sync those apps which didn’t work with other services. For instance, Scrivener only syncs with Dropbox — well, to be truthful, it does sync with others, but the author of Scrivener strongly advises against it). Likewise, the iOS version of Scrivener only syncs with Dropbox (and does it quite clunkily, I might add). I left Dropbox several years back because I wasn’t too happy about certain privacy-averse members of their board of directors. I wasn’t sure if I trusted their privacy policies.

The Result

With all that being said, you might be surprised that I decided to go with Dropbox at the end of the day. I was kind of surprised too. One of the main reasons for this was that I use the iOS Scrivener app almost daily (it’s my main long-form writing app that I use to write my novels), and the only service that Scrivener safely syncs with is Dropbox. Additionally, I have some other iOS apps that will only sync properly with Dropbox, so there’s that as well. Thus, Dropbox seems to be the service that most apps use as their preferential syncing service.

As for my other services, I downsized my Google Drive subscription to 200 gigs for $29 per year, which is more than enough space for my and my spouse’s photos. Any other non-photo files were moved to Dropbox. Then, I completely got rid of Sync.com and moved all those cloud files to Dropbox. Even though I was paying for 3 TB of space on Sync.com, I was using way less than 1 TB, which worked perfectly with a Dropbox subscription. I kept the iCloud Drive service active, given that I use it to sync all of my Apple photos, and it’s relatively inexpensive. Given that OneDrive is free with my Microsoft 365 account, I didn’t make any changes there — I don’t really use that account for much anyway.

But…what about security?

I mentioned that I wasn’t too keen on Dropbox’s privacy record, which is still true. I’m not sure that I completely trust them with my data. However, most people I’ve talked to seem happy with them and trust them. But I took the extra step in encrypting most of the files I’ve stored on Dropbox — the sensitive ones anyway. While I have a wickedly long and difficult password as well as two-factor authentication enabled, I feel confident that with the extra step of encrypting my files, my data is as safe as it can be. That’s not to say that I won’t reevaluate down the road, but I’m content with my decisions for now.

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Why I Flip-flop between Three Streaming Music Services

Portrait of casual young man with cell phone and headphones listening to music on grey background enjoying listening music on smartphone rpeAFPL4Kx

For the past several years, I’ve gone back and forth between three premium music streaming services: Apple Music, Spotify, and YouTube Music (formerly Google Play Music). What’s funny is that I never tend to stick with one of them for longer than a few months. Of course, this is mostly just me being wish-washy (as I am with many things), but it also boils down to the fact that each of them has distinct features that I like — as well as those I don’t.

1. Apple Music

I’ve subbed and unsubbed many times to Apple Music. Given that I’m somewhat of an Apple fanboy, it makes sense for me to subscribe to their service since I’m well-entrenched into the Apple ecosystem. Apple Music works flawlessly with Siri and with their other devices.

But it usually doesn’t take me long to get sick of Apple Music constantly pushing Hip Hop and Rap music down my throat. Okay, well, maybe not down my throat. But whenever I listen to a recommended playlist, it’s rife with those two genres, neither of which I listen to nor enjoy. As for why Apple Music continues to recommend those to me, I have no idea. I have a music library with over 70,000 songs, and not one of them is Hip Hop or Rap. Now, I have nothing against these genres — hell, I have a friend who’s a Hip Hop musician. But those are just not music genres that I enjoy (I’m more of an easy listening and jazz guy). You’d think that after all these years, Apple would know my musical tastes. I kept hoping that eventually, Apple Music would learn my music tastes, but alas — I’m still waiting.

I’m also not a massive fan of their app, and I find that Apple Music on the Mac is still a nightmare. Their iOS app has gotten a bit better, but it’s still not a favorite of mine. It seems to be buggy, especially when adding music to the queue (which works only part of the time). And again, disliking songs seem to have no effect whatsoever on what’s the app recommends to me.

However, there are a lot of positives about the services. First, the sound quality is excellent. Apple Music streams content at 256kbps, using AAC, and they’ve recently introduced lossless audio compression that true audiophiles may appreciate.

Another plus is that you can easily access your own music via any device. They also offer a human-curated Radio station, which features top artists and shows, and is excellent for discovering new or unreleased music.

2. Spotify

I always manage to find my way back to Spotify on a regular basis, probably because, in my opinion, this service is the best for music discoverability, and they excel at tailoring playlists. As for recommendations, they always nail it, and because of them, I’ve discovered many new musical artists over the years. Their daily recommended mixes are typically spot-on, and I love their Discover Weekly mix, which changes weekly. Their collaborative playlists are also a favorite feature of mine.

They’ve recently added podcasts to their offerings, which I don’t use as I typically listen to them using an iPhone app, but this might be a plus for other people. Their app is also beautifully designed, ascetically pleasing, and user-friendly, and they make it easy to find the content you’re looking for quickly. The Spotify platform is also supported by most voice assistants—including Siri, Google Assistant, and Alexa.

Truth be told, there’s not really anything that I dislike about the service. Additionally, choosing the highest quality on Spotify will get you a stream of 320kb/s, while YouTube Music and Apple Music max out at 256 kb/s (though now Apple offers a lossless streaming format for specific devices).

3. YouTube Music

So if I don’t dislike anything about Spotify, you might be wondering why don’t I stick with it? That’s because the third service, YouTube Music, offers a couple of things the others don’t. For one thing, my spouse has a family membership to YouTube premium, which means that even if I switch to another service, we’re still paying for it.

What I really love about the service, however, are the music videos. Formerly, I spent a lot of time on YouTube watching them, but now, they’re rolled right into their music app. I enjoy watching my favorite artists perform their songs live. And in addition to official releases from record labels, YouTube Music has tons of remixes, fan-created covers, mashups, and more, resulting in quite a massive music selection.

But probably the main thing that keeps me with the service is that I love the fact that it also comes bundled with ad-free YouTube. That is to say, I never see ads when I’m watching videos on YouTube — it’s all part of the premium package. Though I don’t find their music discoverability quite as good as Spotify’s, they do have several recommended mixes from which I’ve found new favorite musicians.

Another huge plus for me is the ability to upload my own music. While I can access music I own on Apple Music, it’s not quite so easy with Spotify and requires a bit of hoop-jumping (in other words, it’s a huge pain).

Verdict

The verdict is inconclusive. There are things I love about each of them, and there have even been times where I’ve subscribed to more than one of the services: YouTube Music & Spotify or YouTube Music & Apple Music (and one time, all three). But then I think about what a waste of money it is, given that their music libraries are mostly similar.

So, for now, I subscribe only to YouTube Music but will undoubtedly be revisiting the others in the future as they are all worthy competitors, and I’m often tempted by the greener grass on the other side.

How about you? What’s your favorite music streaming service?

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