Travel

After a flood of entries, the judging is over, and three lucky Lifehacker readers will each receive an iTunes card purchased directly, and in a single day, from one of the three Apple Stores that were open for business last Thursday. Read on to find out who won — and why their suggestions for five essential iTunes purchases stood out.

The standard of entries was generally high, although quite a lot of people didn’t really go much further than “I like these songs”. For $100, frankly I’d expect you to work a little harder.

Here’s the three winning entries. First of all, Stone came up with a playlist designed to educate a new iPod user in the sometimes mysterious ways of the machine:

To start our newcomer off what better track than:
1) Welcome to the Family – A Day to Remember
So as not to overload our adventurous friends we’ll keep it simple up next with:
2) Song 2 – Blur
Now it is time to teach them something they must never forget:
3) Headphones – Bjork
While we are on a role and there are lessons still to be learnt it’s time to remind them where the juice comes from with:
4) Battery – Metallica
And last but not least a subtle reminder that this new toy can do more than simply shake a beat with:
Video Killed the Radio Star – The Buggles

There you have it the playlist that keeps on giving until our new friend works out how to control iTunes syncing – around 8 to 10 months ;-)

Then there was this listing from Michael, who took a sensible approach in converting a music fanatic — pointing to the myriad of stuff that can only be purchased on iTunes (but without delving into excessively obscure material):

I’d go with songs or versions you can only get on the iTunes store – what better way to show it off?

Sia – Breath Me (live) – iTunes Live From Sydney
New Order – Love Will Tear Us Apart – iTunes Originals
Ben Lee – Catch My Disease – iTunes Originals
Powderfinger – My Happiness (live) – Live From Sydney
U2 – Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For – Live in Paris

Finally, David H offered up a playlist that was well-known tracks, but well-justified:

1. Money, Money, Money – ABBA (As you have just droped some cash for the ipod and even more for these 5 songs, get used to forking out the cash for more songs, videos and apps!)
2. You’re The Voice – John Farnham (No better song to belt out in public or to spontanously break out the air drums!)
3. Holy Grail – Hunters & Collectors (What better way to celebrate the purchase of your new iPod than the most iconic aussie song about the ultimate triumph!)
4. Are You Gonna Be My Girl? – Jet (The song that got Jet recognised and the song that probably made us all want an iPod in the first place!)
5. Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen (What more can you say, it has it all!)

Thanks to everyone for their entries, and I’m sorry we didn’t have more credit to give away! I’m working on a schedule to repeat the exercise with what will soon be a rather more challenging half-a-dozen stores (Robina, Miranda and Doncaster need to be added to the original three). But I have to finish my laundry again first.

Throughout May 2009, Lifehacker Australia editor Angus Kidman will be travelling throughout Australia with just one carry-on bag for the Hand Luggage Only project.