SAVING AND PLAYING MP3 FILES
WHAT ARE MP3 FILES?
MP3 is a method of file compression that greatly reduces the amount of space needed to store recorded speech and music in a computer. MP3 is based on the characteristics of human hearing; it compresses music and speech files by removing sound that a listener would not hear. MP3 files sound almost exactly like the original recordings but require only about one-twelfth as much space as an uncompressed file when stored in a computer.
Because the files are so much smaller, twelve times as much music or speech can be sent over the Internet as could be sent in the same time without compression. Programs sent and received in this way are referred to as "streaming" data.
MP3 works so well that it has become a standard way of saving music, speech and radio programs for the Internet. If a computer Internet connection is fast enough, listeners can listen to live broadcasts of music and other programs from many countries.
The sound quality of the MP3 files of the Yiddish Stories is the same as the RealOne and Windows Media player files on The World of Yiddish web site. These players work on principles similar to those on which MP3 is based. The main difference is that listeners can save MP3 files on their computers and play them when they are not connected to the Internet. This is convenient and avoids the telephone charges that would otherwise need to be paid for time spent listening.
HOW DO I SAVE AN MP3 FILE ON MY COMPUTER?
If you use Internet Explorer...
Click the right mouse button on "MP3" opposite the story you want to save. On the menu that drops down, click the left button on "Save target... ." A window will open to let you choose where you want to save the file.
If you use Netscape...
Click the right mouse button on "MP3" opposite the story you want to save. On the menu that drops down, click the left button on "Save link... ." A window will open to let you choose where to save the file.
Other suggestions:
Setting up Windows Media Player
Loading the free version of RealOne Player
Introduction to Listening and Reading