On 7/22/06, Keith Old keithold@gmail.com wrote:
Almost everyone knows about Wikipedia - the free-content, web-based encyclopedia written collaboratively by volunteers. Evidently those volunteers include a fair share of music fans: you can find a vast store of musical knowledge here, covering pretty much every base. One noteworthy aspect of Jimmy Wales' creation is that Wikipedia also contains a vast reservoir of free sound files.
We have a vast reservoir of free sound files? Who knew?
Because of copyright laws, the site doesn't have much by contemporary artists but its classical collection is growing daily. Mozart and Beethoven are best represented, with more than 20 pieces each. Other composers have fewer files, and they are in the "Ogg Vorbis" format, which won't play on an iPod although they are compatible with most computer players.
Where are we getting these copyright-free recordings from?
Steve