Were you someone who actively sought out music before the Napster and Itunes era?
It’s definitely easier for the music fan, it’s just a different experience. Like home video or cable, that means more to chose from, and more access to the good stuff .... but ultimately, less good stuff, and the end of one culture for another.
I assume that you mean independent music, and the answer's no. There was an independent record store not far from my house that I would go to from time to time, but I found that they were overpriced and frequented mostly by stoners (it was also a head shop), so it wasn't a place that I spent a lot of time. I'd drop in from time to time to find an import or other record that I couldn't find elsewhere, but that's all. Today, though, my musical tastes have changed quite dramatically, primarily due to the easy availability of music on the Internet and XM (which, sadly, I found far superior to Sirius). I agree that it's easier, but I disagree that there is less good stuff. I listen to a pretty small niche of music, and I find that there is tons of great stuff being put out these days.