You can download the audio files from this web site to your computer in either MP3 16-bit format or WMA 8-bit format.

MP3 files are highly compressed sound files, and download quickly over cable and DSL connections.  They are about one-tenth the size of CD sound files.

MP3 audio files are both PC and MAC compatible.

WMA files (Windows Media files) are another commonly used format for highly compressed sound files.  WMA files are PC (not MAC) compatible.

WMA files are about 1/2 the size of MP3 files, and are best for dial-up connections: smaller files, yet normally acceptable quality even though so highly compressed.

MP3 files offer better quality for the size difference, yet still download quickly over cable and DSL.

A typical 30 minute lecture in MP3 format from this website will take about only seconds to download to your computer over cable and DSL.

The same lecture in WMA format will take about 10 minutes to download over 56k modem dialup connection.  WMA files are being offered "ad experimentum" as a courtesy to our dial-up customers.  Normally if you prefer better quality over shorter download times, you should choose the MP3 formats.

BOTH file formats are available on this website.  You are free to choose either format according to your preference for quality and download time!

Once downloaded to your computer,
 

	You can listen to the conferences right away or at any time at your computer, if your computer is equipped with sound.
	You can burn these conferences onto BLANK audio CD-R's so you can listen to them in your car, on a walkman, or any other CD player.
	You can transfer the file to a portable digital audio device, also known as an MP3 player.  The MP3 player you use must be capable of playing the more highly compressed 16-bit and 8-bit file formats available on this site.

An MP3 player enables you to listen to these Conferences
wherever you are:
while walking, traveling, cleaning, getting necessary exercise and so forth.

An MP3 player is a very small hardware device that stores, organizes, and plays compressed digital sound files, such as MP3 and WMA files, without the need to carry around any audio CDs or cassette tapes, or the larger hardware devices associated with playing these.

MP3 Players can play both WMA
and MP3 audio files, though each will have a different bit range capability. 

The bit range is the level of file compression.   For files like those available on this site (30-45 minute conferences) we have chosen a higher compression of 8 and 16 bit to minimize download times.

MP3 players offer many conveniences and advantages over the earlier use of portable CD and tape cassette players.

An MP3 player is a fraction of the size, fits easily in the palm of your hand or in a pocket, and can hold far more audio content.

Simply connect your MP3 player to your computer using a standard USB port, and you're ready to download digital files from your computer onto the digital playing device.

Some MP3 players come with software for your computer, and a cable which allows transfer of audio files from your computer to your player, as well as a method of organizing them. 

MP3 players with internal flash drives, such as those featured on this web site, need no software at all.  Just drag and drop!

In either event, the process is simple and easy to do.

Once MP3 files are downloaded from your computer to your digital player, they can be stored indefinitely in the unit’s memory, organized into playlists (in any order you prefer), and played back whenever you like.

Most portable digital players fall into two main groups:

• Flash-based Players: these have either permanent flash drives or open expansion slots for flash memory cards that are removable and/or exchangeable .  These have a somewhat limited storage capacity, but are better for use where skip-free performance is desired, such as during walking or exercise.

• Hard-disk Players: these have permanent, internal small hard drives, similar to those found in laptop computers.  These have a much larger capacity, similar to that of many computers, yet are still small enough to fit easily into one's pocket.

Info link on MP3 technology: http://www.creative.com/products/mp3/guide/