Jana Barberio's Web Page
 
 

September 2000 Column

Note: If you are having difficulty reading this page, try using the Netscape Browser instead of Microsoft Internet Explorer.
Introducing:
  ANOTHER MULTIMEDIA?
 It’s called “MP3”

By Jana Barberio


 WHAT is MP3?
· Digital music files that are swapped through the Internet
· Software that allows CD music to be transported to PC, where it can be listened to through speakers or shared over the
Internet
· Mpeg-1 Audio Layer 3 (MP3)
· Very compressed CD sound files
· Instant gratification
· The “Blair Witch Project” of the music industry
· It’s at the center of a music industry controversy
· It appeals mainly to college students, and as a result, universities have been disgruntled about its tendency to clog campus
networks
· It is changing the music industry through such vehicles as a music search program called Napster
· It’s metamorphosing record companies’ search for talent
· It’s altering the way rock bands establish their presence in the music market

HOW DOES it WORK?
· By using a music file on a portable MP3 player or
· Using the Internet and your computer

WHAT DO you NEED TO KNOW?
· You need a program such as Napster or a website like http://mp3.com to download files or an MP3 player
· The May 2000 issue of PC Magazine reviewed MP3 Players: Cascio WMP-1V Wrist Audio Player, Creative Labs Nomad
II, I-Jam Multimedia IJ-101 and Sony NW-MS7 Memory Stick Walkman

WHERE CAN you GET MORE INFORMATION?
http://www.time.com/time/digital/reports/mp3/index.html –history of MP3
http://mp3.com –MP3 information and music site
http://music.yahoo.com/fc/ymusic/online_music –MP3 information and music site
www.cascio.com –MP3 player
www.nomadworld.com – MP3 player
www.i-jam.com –MP3 player
www.sony.com –MP3 player
                                                                                         Sources:
                                                              Wall Street Journal, March 23, 2000, p.B14.
                                                              Wall Street Journal, March 20, 2000, p.R14.
                                                                       PC World, May 2000, p. 60-64.
                                                    http://www.time.com/time/digital/reports/mp3/frankel1.html
(September)

*******************
Jana Barberio is a freelance writer and a former paralegal. She and her husband, John, co-founded the Holly Computer User Group in Holly, Michigan and the Twin Beach Computer User Group in Chesapeake Beach, Maryland.

 She can be reached by email at jana@barberio.com

************************************
 Click here to Return to Main Page
If you have comments or suggestions, email me at jana@barberio.com