KODA

I logged into Last.fm today, spotting a new message notification waiting for me in the top right corner. Only, something looked different in my status box today. My user icon was a different color - a subscribed color…

As you might have noticed, one of our profile servers (which your account is on) has been rather slow recently. Affected users are noticing that their charts are taking ages to update, and neighbours are not calculated fast enough. This is due to the changes we’re making in the way profile data is stored and searched. [...]

To sweeten the deal we’re upgrading your account with a free 1 month subscription. (or extending it if you already subscribe). Along with the usual subscriber perks, you’ll have access to the beta test of the new site update (in early June). This will give you a chance to try out the new charts system before everyone else, and tell us what you think before it’s launched.

This is incredible behavior on the behalf of Last.fm Ltd. So their charts were being a little sluggish to a free member for a week or so. I’m not easily swayed by subscriber-ish generousity, but I must say I’m quite impressed by the fact that as a free user (never given them a penny), they gave me a free upgrade to their service simply because they felt it was not updating quickly enough. <3++.

Other online services: take note.