Free streaming radio is a phenomenon that has been rapidly growing, and there are many stations available to browse new artists or old favorites.

Internet radio is convenient, free and customizable to individual music tastes. Discovering new artists and genres is another perk of streaming free radio, making it easier for people to find and listen to new music. Online radio features portability, which is useful for students always on the go. You can tune in wherever you are, whenever you want, to whichever site you prefer. This is especially helpful for students pulling all-nighters in the library or professors stuck in their office all day.

Pandora.com is an Internet radio service that automates a music recommendation playlist customized specifically for each user. Dubbed the "music genome project," users pick a particular song or artist they want to hear and similar tracks or artists, usually from the same genre, are selected based on their preference.

There are only 40 hours of free listening time a month, but that does not deter its popularity, especially with college students.

Chelsea Wheatcroft, junior in interior design, said she listens to Pandora several times a week to broaden her music taste for new artists and songs.

"I love to find new music, and some that is similar to other artists I listen to," Wheatcroft said.

Some of her favorite playlists she has created include Lily Allen, Band of Horses, Lil Wayne and "Dig," by Incubus.

Slacker.com is another Web site that allows people to stream free radio stations and is known for its outstanding sound quality. The Web site has more than 100 stations that are genre specific and a number of artists to choose from, making it prime competition for Pandora.

Another competitor in the free online radio market is Launch.com, which is a Yahoo-based music Web site. With music videos, radio and music blogs, it offers a broader choice of media to music lovers.

If none of these Web sites appeal to you, a simple Google search brings up more stations and Web sites to explore. There is a number of other free radio services available on the Internet that take a little searching to discover.

Students and teachers alike use free online radio Web sites to listen to different kinds of programming they cannot find elsewhere on public radio. Craig Parker, associate professor of music history, uses online radio services to listen to more obscure music broadcasts.

"The only online radio I ever listen to regularly for music are broadcasts from the BBC and from Otherminds.org which is devoted to new and experimental classical music," Parker said.

Parker also said he is "not particularly interested in current popular music, which is what most of these sites emphasize."

For students looking for something new to listen to while they study or serious music enthusiasts looking for the next big thing, free online radio seems to be the most convenient and easiest way to browse.