For those of you, who don't know, the last two years of my life has been spent working on a music product called the Yahoo! Music Engine - a combination on-demand service and music download store.

I have to say, that this it is by far, the most complex single product that Yahoo! has ever done. Not only does it have all the wonderful quirks of a Music Player, but it also has two premium services - with different billing models for each. I left Messenger to work on this product back in Fall of 2003. In that time, I have learned in depth how our login servers work, how our billing systems work, how DRM licensing works, how CD buring works, how CD ripping works. I've learned what Janus means. I've learned what an Octiv plugin might mean...

In that same time period, there was also this small little acquisition of an establish music player named Musicmatch... And those guys are great. So many people on that team have just immediately pitched in and helped with YME - instead of taking an understandably defensive position. It's a great feeling to watch the on-demand part of the music team really gel into a serious product team. We've got a lot more work to do, but we're on our way.

(In typical Music fashion, I have to give my own shoutouts...)

Much love goes out to all my engineers that I worked with on this thing: Ian, Steve, Dave, Regis, Robert, Haynie, Hala, Christa, Cliff, Joeslyn, Mike, Scott, Pierre, Raj, Daniel, Bkaull, Dallas (in Atlanta) and finally old man TV.

To my product folks: Karin, Tami, Todd, Chebert, Spiegelmen, Ference, Doug, Damian, Geller - I feel like I've been in meetings with you guys for the last 10 years of my life. Sorry if I was my normal self a little too much sometimes... Image

I know there were more, but you guys had to deal with the worst of me. Thanks.

Now, go download: Yahoo Music Engine