So we’ve discussed in the past different ways to branch out the online representation of yourself & your interests - usually with results somewhere between “complete success” and “utter failure” (with some ending up on the latter end and very few on the former). Sometimes, companies (or individuals) will come up with an interesting idea that in some way spawns off the original lofty goals these experiments. For instance, Flickr.

I’ve been behind the times on a lot of these different sites - mostly due to my complete disappointment in my experience with the different “we’ll give you value in who you are, your interests and what/who you know” sites I’ve tried (Friendster, Orkut, Ryze, etc.). I usually wait for someone I know to try something out and actually find undisputed value before bothering to create yet another password to keep track of.

In my wanderings online today, I came across an interesting blog article (blogticle? blarticle? blorticle?) comparing two different off-shoots: Pandora and Last.fm (although I suppose one could debate that they’re something completely different - especially in the case of Pandora). Given Sean’s test-run he’s giving on Last.fm, I was interested in seeing if someone has found the intangible catalyst I sensed was missing from all these other sites. After all, nothing’s worse than the hangover-effect of coming to the realization that you wasted way too much of your time in your enthusiastic adoption of a site that really did nothing for you.

While it’s an interesting read, I guess I have to say I’m unconvinced as of yet. So what do you think Sean? Have you ponied up for Last.fm’s paid service?