Downloading Music, Movies, TV Shows, MP3 and More

Apple IPod 30G Video

2009-03-30T09:39:00.000-07:00

And You Can’t Bake It In A Pie Either

In case your monitor can’t display pictures, or you’re black-white colorblind, or you’ve never seen an iPod before, let’s make this clear: this iPod comes with white earbuds and white earbuds only.

We say this to pre-empt another ugly situation like the one we had with Millard, the customer who demanded satisfaction after we had the temerity to send white earbuds with his black iPod.

Not mollified by the fact that Apple only makes white earbuds, Millard grumbled that now his daughter would lack a properly color-coordinated personal media solution. So he went out and paid $29 for black earbuds somewhere else and laid the blame at our feet. Despite our humongous photo of said iPod with white earbuds, despite everybody on Earth except Millard knowing that Apple’s white earbuds are iconic and ubiquitous, Millard still insisted that we “do something to off-set my additional expense” because he “felt mislead.” We’re a funny species, aren’t we?

So for all you Millards out there, even if you choose the “Black” option for today’s Apple iPod 30GB Video, be advised that it will NOT include black earbuds. It will give you 30GB of storage space for music and video, a 2.5” 320×240 QVGA screen, and a built-in rechargeable battery good for 14 hours of music or 2 hours of video on a charge. And it’ll come in the characteristically stylish and hand-pleasing Apple hardware that has taken the world by storm. If you really, really need to play your Black iPod through something black, we know where you can find a cheap iPod boombox/docking speakmajig that will satisfy your peculiar chromatic fixation.

But black earbuds? Sorry, Millard. Not the way this whole iPod thing works. Before you spend thirty bucks to correct our “mistake”, here’s a tip: it’d be a lot cheaper to buy a can of spray paint. Sure, you won’t be able to listen to the earbuds after you paint them. But they’ll be the right color. And that’s really the important thing. Apparently.

Courtesy of Woot http://www.woot.com/Blog/ViewEntry.aspx?Id=7918

2007-04-26T10:50:00.000-07:00

The New Popularity of Singing Lessons

The new wave of television programs that includes “American Idol,” “You’re the One That We Want,” and “Dancing with the Stars” has done a lot to increase the popularity of singing and dancing lessons and studios. Many viewers have been encouraged to pursue dreams they aspire to, and that’s a great thing. It’s encouraging to know that contestants like Melinda Doolittle, who has spent years behind the scenes, finally have the opportunity to show off their true abilities.

Where did that ability come from and could it be found within each of us? It came from a desire to improve on what already exists, and yes, with the right training, many of us have a similar ability hidden inside.

Millions of children and adults take lessons in subjects they would love to excel at. It could be tennis, math, piano, gardening, cooking, sewing, investing—just about anything you can think of. These lessons can be taken with the intent to improve a career, a home, or just how one spends his or her free time. If you are intent on having a singing career, singing lessons are an excellent place to begin. They are also an excellent way to prepare for:

• Auditions for college and university music degrees
• Contests
• Performance auditions
• Studio recording
• The local karaoke night

Another important reason for singing lessons is to correct bad vocal habits. Fiberoptic research shows that serious damage can be done if nodules, cysts, or broken blood vessels occur on the vocal cords because of incorrect performing habits. Especially dangerous are screaming or growling forms of singing. These can leave irreversible damage if left unchecked.

Is a Singing Lesson Right for You?
Singing lessons will not necessarily guarantee a successful music career, but they can't hurt. There are many individuals who have a great voice but need a little assistance to bring out its real potential. Nearly all of the American Idol contestants who make it to the final 12 have had some kind of singing training before auditioning for the show. Some majored in music or vocal performance in college, some took independent voice lessons, some participated in high school music programs.

You might be encouraged to know that some of the biggest names in popular music continue to take singing lessons throughout their careers. Jennifer Lopez, Madonna, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, and many more rely on trusted teachers and coaches to help them sustain the quality of their vocal performance. Josh Groban was discovered by his voice teacher, who later introduced him to high-profile producer David Foster.

While taking singing lessons helps an aspiring career, lots of individuals take singing lessons just for fun or as a way to build their self-confidence. Many parents provide their children with singing lessons to help them learn to express themselves.

Whatever your reason for wanting to learn, there are a number of choices when it comes to taking singing lessons. The most common has been the face-to-face lesson, but CD and DVD options are rapidly becoming popular because of their economical cost.

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2007-03-27T11:21:00.000-07:00

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Reviewing Los Lobos Live at the Canyon Club

2007-02-11T12:57:00.000-08:00

Who Are Los Lobos?

Los Lobos were one of America's most distinctive and original bands of the '80s. They may have had a hit with "La Bamba" in 1987, yet that cover barely scratches the surface of their talents. Los Lobos are eclectic in the best sense of the word. While they draw equally from rock, Tex-Mex, country, folk, R&B, blues, and traditional Spanish and Mexican music, their music never sounds forced or self-conscious. Instead, all of their influences become one graceful, gritty sound. From their very first recordings, their rich musicality was apparent; on nearly every subsequent record, they have found ways to redefine and expand their sound, without ever straying from the musical traditions that form the heart and soul of the band.

We saw Los Lobos live at the Canyon Club in Agoura, CA, last night, and they were incredible. We had watched their DVD, Live at the Fillmore, the night before and their live performance was just as good as the DVD, which is rare these days.

Read my full review here.

Types of Music Podcasts

2007-02-06T18:55:00.000-08:00

All MP3 Downloads Here

Music Downloads

Many music podcasts are available online, distributed
by podcasters who want to share their collection with
the world. Some of these are distributed by independent
musicians, groups or individuals who enjoy creating
and sharing their music but have a small fanbase. For
them, a podcast means closer contact with their
listeners, and the blog that usually accompanies a
podcast often allows for the comments and opinions of
the listeners to be shared with the musicians. The
listeners often appreciate this close contact, and some
become resentful when their favorite groups gain
widespread popularity. Musicians may find that the
music podcast they share is a way to build a following
and gain an audience that is loyal to them. Since many
of the musicians who podcast do so as independent
artists who lack the sound the music industry is looking
for or simply haven't been noticed yet, a music podcast
may build a following that attracts attention to them and
gives them an entry point into the music industry.

For others, a music podcast may be the chance to
become a dj, and the episodes they share will contain
mixes of different songs, highlighting obscure yet
accomplished artists and taking their listeners on a tour
every episode. These amateurs podcast merely because
they enjoy the activity, as most independent podcasters
do. Yet another type of music podcast, however,
involves the online radio station. While some radio
stations have taken the leap to the internet by offering
streaming connections to their current playlist, others
have accepted the podcast as a way of sharing their
music. Such a style is very similar to the amateur dj, but
brings a level of professionalism that is not found with
the amateur podcasters.

A music podcast may also be a way to sample works by
more well known artists before purchasing. Some
musicians and groups will podcast their new music, or
portions of the new pieces, in order to peak interest in
the songs before release. Fans get to listen to the music
and find out what they might like before purchasing the
whole album. A possibility, however, is that music
podcasts become subscription based, and musicians
begin charging for access to the feed. The online sale of
music has proved its popularity, with Apple's iTunes
reaching its one billionth paid download recently. A
music group could conceivably offer a feed to its fans
that they could pay for, and regularily update it with
new songs that would be downloaded directly to the
fan's computers Although this distribution model is not
yet in place, it seems to fit with the over all trend.
Already, some nonmusic groups have agreed to podcast
their files, on the condition that a paid subscription is
bought.

Music Downloads

Review of Music Download Sites

2007-01-27T17:19:00.000-08:00

Music Downloads

My husband Rick has been a professional musician (guitar and bass) for many years (http://guitar-star.blogspot.com). The highlight of his career was partying with Paul McCartney - we have a picture in our recording studio of them together. Rick is the ultimate downloading expert and has downloaded thousands of songs, movies etc.

If you'd like to join our monthly Music Updates newsletter, please send an email to gdot15@keep-you-informed.com, with "Subscribe" in the Subject line.

In the meantime, please check out the various downloading sites we recommend.

Music Downloads

A Guide to P2P File Sharing with BitTorrent

2007-01-26T16:13:00.000-08:00

Music Downloads

Many people think of MP3 music files when they hear about online file sharing. The Napster phenomenon did much to move peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing into the spotlight. Regardless of the legal issues, P2P file sharing is an excellent way to download large files, even a full CD or DVD! BitTorrent is one of the leading P2P software programs available.

BitTorrent refers to both the software produced by BitTorrent Inc. and the method used by the software to share files. A torrent is defined as "a stream of water flowing with great rapidity and violence" or "a rushing, violent, or abundant and unceasing stream of anything." The BitTorrent software is for downloading more than just music, however. Sites use it to distribute free software compact discs, games, office software, and other huge files.

The BitTorrent software is available for free from www.bittorrent.com. The software, called a client, coordinates the file downloads. These downloads are different from ordinary website or FTP downloads. The bandwidth used during website and FTP downloads remains a constant drain on the server throughout the download. With BitTorrent, pieces of the downloading file are pulled from the computers of people who have already downloaded the file, or who are currently in the downloading process.

To start using BitTorrent, download and install the software. When you see a file you want to download, check to see if the website offers BitTorrent downloads. If it does, click on the given link and choose "open file from current location" if asked. The BitTorrent software will activate and begin downloading the file.

Once the BitTorrent software activates, you will be added to the group of people currently downloading that particular file. This group is known as a "swarm." Some of the people in the swarm have already downloaded the file, and are keeping their BitTorrent software active to provide the file to new downloaders. These people are called "seeders." The people who are currently downloading are called "downloaders" or "leeches."

"Leech" is sometimes used to describe a person who only downloads and doesn't contribute to others by uploading. However, newer versions of the BitTorrent software balance out the load by requiring users to both upload and download. This is done automatically. It is considered good file sharing etiquette to keep your BitTorrent software running when your download is complete. This will allow your computer to make the complete file available to other downloaders.

Some opinions say that you should keep your BitTorrent software running for 72 hours after your download finishes. Others say to keep the software seeding until you have at least uploaded as much as you have downloaded.

The seeding and downloading continues until the download completes. If you have enough seeders, this is not a problem. However, for old or rare P2P downloads, there may not be a full copy of the file available for download. Your download might get stuck being only partially complete, until someone with the full file begins seeding. That's why it is important to be a good file sharer and seed once your download is done. For these reasons, BitTorrent downloading and seeding works best with a broadband internet connection.

Music Downloads