Drop.io is a website where you can create “simple private exchange points” called “drops.” The service has no email sign-up and no “accounts.” Each drop is private, and only as accessible as you choose to deliberately make it. Create multiple drops, add any type of media, and share or subscribe as you want.”

You can share audio or video with friends and family; teachers can share notes and record lectures; work groups can share resources and feedback.

This basically a free, anonymous FTP server. But most folks don’t have access to FTP servers and drop.io is much easier to use. I’ve dropped a short (5 sec) video at drop.io/smaysdropspot if you care to see how this works.[Thanks, David for the tip.io]

“Oh, you shouldn’t have!” I shrieked, as I opened yesterday’s birthday present. The only way Barb could have known I wanted the Marantz PMD620 Professional Handheld Field Recorder is… I told her.

I’ve been using the larger PMD660 for a year to two but found that a nice home with Jamie. So far I like almost everything I’ve seen and heard about the 620. The built-in mics are just so-so but I’ll plug in an external mic for most work.

The size is what appealed to me. About the size of a deck of cards. And the display is easier for me to read than with the previous model. Download this short MP3 file if you want to hear what it sounds like. I’m using a Heil PR-20 mic.