I Have outgrown my computer

[RJ_Paton]

 MP3 is a format for compressing digital audio files. It is a "lossy" compression scheme, meaning that MP3 files do not have quite as high quality as the standard CD-DA audio tracks they are encoded from. MP3 files can be automatically converted and recorded directly to CD as standard audio tracks using appropriate software.

To give MP3 it's full sunday name ... Mpeg layer 3 audio compression ....

MP3 files can be played on the users computer as music files using 1 of many different players. Microsoft not to be outdone have introduced a different format known as WMA files which are only playable on a limited number of players.

Files can be transferred to CD as MP3 files (a data CD) or converted back into straight music tracks and burnt onto a CD or DVD . Some CD players and dvd players claim to be mp3 compatible .... ie they will play them.

The other option is an MP3 player .... the fashion statement of the moment is Apples ipod which can hold up to 10,000 music files .... there are other players many of them a lot cheaper

[Lauraine]

Hi Falkyrn: 

I tried to get on here several times and couldn't remember my password.  Want to thank you for explaining the MP3 thing.  Actually have bought two MP3 players.  One for my Dad who is in a nursing home with very limited space.  Loved it so got one for myself.  They are very very small and hold a lot of data.  Price has golne way down in N. America.  Also, they can be used as a voice recorder, so would be great if visiting archives for oral notes or interviewing a senior.

[Guy Etchells]

Hi celia sorry for the confusion I caused,

There are two main upgrade paths you could choose
1 is to fit a CD Writer (this will create your CD's with appropriate software)
2 is to fit a DVD writer (This will create your CD's OR DVD's with the appropriate software)

You need to ask yourself if you need the storage capacity of a DVD ..... unless you are storing large quantities of video files or very high quality picture files I would suspect the answer is NO ...
to put it into context 1 CD is equivalent to approx 450 Floppy discs and 1 DVD Disc is the equivalent of 7 CD's

A suitable internal CD writer drive can be obtained for as little as £17
http://www.dabs.com/uk/channels/components/cdanddvdreaderswriters/

fitting it is relatively straightforward if you have no qualms about opening up your machine's case ..... If you do try to get someone else to fit it for you.

Another option is to go for an external unit which would plug into your system and be available without opening the case ....... this is a much more expensive option £70 - £100.

Regarding the CD types ...... the CD Writer can write to two types of CD

type 1 is a one off operation .... ie you Create (burn) the CD and the information is put on the CD in one operation ....

type 2 is what is referred to as CD RW ..... these disks can be written to several times adding a litlle information each time so that all of the information is available to the person viewing the contents

Sorry slight correction. Both types of CD will allow data to be added until the CD is full as long as the cd has not been finalized.
The benefit of a cdrw disk is that you can erase the cd and start again the same as you can with a floppy disc.
Cheers
Guy

[kevan]

Hi all,
       Sorry to butt into the conversation. I have just bought a couple of PC from DELL. The best one was £700 which has everything, including three years on-site warranty and is virtually the top of the range, this one is a lot lower spec, but for £350 what do you expect.
      Their prices are the best in the world at the moment, they include free delivery in about a week, and I have already used their support team who are very good.
       I would not even bother trying to fix any of my other computers at this price, as you are only renewing/adding bits; whereas this has DVD, 6 USB ports, 256MB RAM, a 2.66 MHz processor and a years support.
       I know it is still a lot of money for some people, but well worth thinking about. Incidentally I am a Computer Officer, so have an idea what I am talking about,but as said, it is almost cheaper and certainly better to buy new at these prices than bother with upgrading. Hopefully, I will get an MP3 player for my birthday soon, my kids use them all the time and are a big improvement on carrying a CD player.
Best
Kevan