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CONTROVERSIAL MP3

It's all over the web, MP3, MP3, MP3... What is MP3? It's an audio format (MPEG Layer 3). Why it's so popular is it makes CD-quality audio files very small. They can be as much as 30 or 40 Megabytes in file size, but save the same file in MP3 format, and it can be as small as 3 or 4 Megabytes. It also has the recording industry running scared. They hate this format, since it makes it easier for web surfers to send each other whole songs "ripped" from CDs without buying them. They believe that this kind of music "pirating" is costing them and the artists millions of dollars per year. Many websites have fully downloadable songs and albums, but they don't last for long (in the US) once the record companies find it. Website owners can be brought to court and fined thousands of dollars for having "pirated" music on their website and maybe even face jail time. MP3 can be great for a new artist without a recording contract. They can make MP3's of all their music, and distribute them all over the Web to get their name out there. Some artists offer certain songs for "FREE" online to promote their new record, such as Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. There are millions of "legal" MP3's for download online. Here are some links to MP3 sites and resources: http://www.mp3.com/ This is the place to start for MP3. With over 24 million downloads, this site is THE definitive source for MP3. http://www.mp3.com/faq/playing.html Playing MP3's. http://www.mp3.com/faq/making.html Making MP3's. http://www.mp3.com/software/windows/allinone.html MP3 Software. http://www.winamp.com/ WinAmp is the industry standard MP3 software player. Download it now! http://www.winamp.com/skins/index.html WinAmp allows you to change "skins," allowing you to change the way the program looks from woodgrain to futuristic. Over 2,800 are available for download "FREE." http://www.winamp.com/plugins/index.html Over 138 plugins are available for WinAmp from equalizers to effects... http://www.shoutcast.com/ Shoutcast is a WinAmp plugin for streaming MP3. Get it and listen to bunches of free MP3's all over the Web. http://www.mp3-2000.com MP3 2000 has players, encoders, rippers, skins, and "legal" and "illegal" MP3's. The only reason this site is still up is probably that it's hosted in Korea, and the U.S. recording industry hasn't found a way to take it down yet. http://www.real.com/welcome/realjukebox/ Real Audio has released its "Real Jukebox" software. Real Jukebox is Real's attempt to break into the MP3 arena with a player that also streams MP3 media. http://martin.steinkamp.de/mp3/download.htm http://www.musicmatch.com/ MusicMatch Jukebox is one of the most powerful MP3 pieces of software out there. An "All in One" package, MusicMatch enables you to record, download, and organize MP3's through CD Ripping, MP3 and Real Audio(TM) Encoding; plus a digital audio player and sophisticated database. Create personal playlists, view cover art and lyrics, sort music by your preference or mood. http://www.zdnet.com/zdtv/moneymachine/shopping/story/0,3666,2246455,00.html ZDNET article "Still forking over big bucks for CDs? The Net can save you money on music 'Legally.'"

Tue, 16 Nov 1999 13:35:03 -0800