MP3 . . .

Listen: A lot of people fear that the internet will take over their lives because it is changing everything so quickly and profoundly. This is as true as it is not true.

Record companies fear that the Internet will ruin their business. It won't, but it will change it, and here is one way: You are in a music store. You could buy a boatload of cds and you are inspired by all the choices. But you can't make a decision, because how many will be worth the money? You've made mistakes before. So you leave empty handed with the vague suspicion that you're missing out on something important.

The solution to this quandary is to get online. There is a technology called mp3 that lets you listen to every kind of music from everywhere in the world. It will enlighten you and inspire you. It is a new way of listening to music; it informs your old ways. It introduces you to stuff you would never otherwise hear, and it will enrich your visits to stores, concerts, and festivals. I'm dumb with computers and I figured out how to use mp3. Here's how: In order to play mp3s your computer needs a freeamp.

freeamp is downloaded from the internet for, like the name says, FREE. To do this go to www.freeamp.org. Then under "Welcome" click on "Download" and a set of freeamp choices will appear. Choose one and click on it. I have a Compaq with Windows 98 and I chose the first one. A gray box appeared with the "Save to disk" already highlighted. Press return, or enter. The "file name" should be "freeamp setup" with the number you chose. You will save it onto your hard drive, in most cases the "C" drive, as in C:\. From there on just follow what the screen asks of you. It should work out. If it doesn't don't get frustrated, just try again. It eventually worked for me and I'm worse than you at this. When you're done, log off the Internet and find the file "freeamp setup..." (mine was in "my documents"). Now click on the file and follow the instructions. When this is done, you're ready to play more music than you can now imagine. My biggest problem with downloading was that in the middle of the process my computer would say "goodbye" and I would suddenly be offline. This was due to AOL and not me. The other glitch is that when I needed to save the download I would be asked where to save it. I never knew, but somehow I got past that. My point is don't fret too much because eventually it does work out and it is well worth your trouble.

The next step is to go to mp3.com. Suddenly thousands of choices will unfold before you. Click on anything. Find things. If you want to know more about mp3 there is info "for beginners," which I found helpful. My next article will deal more with what is available at the mp3.com site. For now, when you want to play something, click on "instant play." A box should automatically appear with play/pause, volume, the name of the song and group, etc. Here are three discoveries...