This is not related to education but to creativity. The only reasonable alternative to itunes has pulled its plug. This may be old news to those in the online industry but LaLa has notified customers it is shutting down as of May 31st. Makes me sad because I relied on it find new artists through my friends using its facebook integration. On the service you could listen to a CD one time through without purchase. Here are the deets:

Remaining wallet balances and unredeemed gift cards will be converted to iTunes Store credit (or can be refunded upon request). Gift cards can be redeemed on Lala until May 31st.

Good bye to a pioneer. I hate to see an innovator that provides a worthwhile service fail becuase of a business plan that doesn’t account for corporate takeover. ByeBye LaLa, it appears the Apple may have eaten you.