Well there's programs for that you have to use like something called Bear share, and a friend of mine using that Bit Comet he has tons and tons of music it's free so you might want to consider that think jfwlite has the program for bear share if not whitestick.co.uk for sure does and there's others too..
Hailley ----- Original Message ----- From: "Debbie G" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Friday, October 27, 2006 5:25 PM Subject: Re: [jaws-users] Downloading music sites > Well, I'm looking for a site where I can download the music, put on a CD > and > listen to it on my stereo. > > I'll just have to check out a few things. > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "one foxy lady" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: <[email protected]> > Sent: Friday, October 27, 2006 12:56 PM > Subject: Re: [jaws-users] Downloading music sites > > >> This might be helpful.. >> >> >> AFB Accessworld >> Friday, July 21, 2006 >> >> Can You Get the Music? A Review of Music Download Sites >> >> By Janet Ingber >> >> About 10 or 15 years ago, if you liked a certain musician or a particular >> song, chances are that you went to a store to buy an album, cassette, or >> CD. >> First, albums vanished, and now cassettes are disappearing from the >> market. >> Thanks to new technologies and the Internet, it is now possible to >> download >> a huge selection of single tracks or entire albums directly to a computer >> or >> portable player. >> >> With the advent of music downloading a few years ago, several web sites >> at >> which people could share music at no cost, including Morpheus, Kazaa, and >> Napster, became popular. The recording industry objected and obtained >> rulings that made the practice illegal. Napster transformed itself and is >> now a legal, pay-for-music web site. There are still sites that say that >> downloading music is free and legal, but do not be deceived. >> >> Legal Music Download Sites >> This article reviews six legal music download sites: eMusic, RealPlayer, >> Rhapsody, Napster, Wal-Mart, and iTunes. When you are looking for a legal >> web site, there are several things besides accessibility to consider. How >> are you going to listen to the music that you download--on your computer >> or >> on a mobile device? Will you want to burn the music onto a CD? What kind >> of >> music are you looking for--current and recent songs, classical music, >> jazz, >> alternative, or older songs? How much money do you want to spend? The >> going >> rate per song is usually 99 cents. Some web sites offer additional >> options, >> such as online radio stations and streaming audio. This article covers >> how >> to navigate online music download sites, install their necessary >> software, >> find songs, and download them to your computer. >> >> Words of Advice >> Before you download any software or music, carefully review the site's >> system requirements for your computer. This article gives the operating >> system that is necessary for each site, but more detailed information is >> available on each web site. Make sure that your computer is fast enough >> to >> handle the software and downloads. Music files can take up a lot of room >> on >> a hard drive, so check to determine whether you have enough space. >> >> It is possible that you will need sighted assistance to install some >> software or to fill out a web site registration form. Software >> installation >> and registration took only a few minutes on each site. >> >> When searching for music, be as specific as possible. Searching for a >> song >> by title will yield fewer results to wade through than will searching by >> the >> artist's name. All the web sites use a search form to locate music. Be >> familiar with edit boxes and combo boxes because you will need them for >> your >> search. >> >> eMusic < >> www.emusic.com> >> >> System Requirements >> Using the eMusic site requires Windows 98, ME, 2000, or XP. The eMusic >> home >> page contains many unlabeled links, mostly consisting of the word go and >> then a string of numbers and letters. Even with this problem, it is still >> relatively easy to navigate. Once a registration form is completed, >> unlabeled links do not appear on any other pages. eMusic offers a free >> two-week trial and then has several payment plans if you want to continue >> to >> use it. The most inexpensive plan is $9.99 per month, which allows you to >> download up to 40 songs every 30 days, or 25 cents per song. You cannot >> roll >> over your unused downloads. >> >> A big advantage of eMusic is that the songs download in MP3 format, so no >> file conversion is necessary; songs can be burned onto a CD; played on a >> computer; and be added to a portable player, including the iPod Shuffle. >> Once you purchase the music, you own it. A disadvantage of eMusic is that >> it >> does not have as much current music or as many well-known artists as some >> other legal download sites. However, eMusic's web site states that it has >> "more than 1,000,000 tracks from the world's leading independent labels. >> You'll find music in every genre from both established and emerging >> artists." >> >> Registration >> The registration form for eMusic is simple and straightforward. Once the >> form is completed, you can download eMusic's Download Manager software, >> which will allow you to download albums with one click. The software is >> easy >> to install. If you choose to download one song at a time, the special >> software is not needed. >> >> Getting Music >> eMusic's search form consists of an edit box, a combo box, and a Search >> button. The combo box offers many options, including artist, track, >> record >> label, and classical music. The search results are displayed clearly. To >> find them quickly, just go to the last control in the search form and >> arrow >> down to Search Results. There are also links to search by genre, release >> date, and editor's picks. Above the search form is an eMusic Shortcuts >> combo >> box. This combo box was not user friendly. When I turned off Window-Eyes' >> Browse Mode to fill out forms, using the down arrow did not move to the >> next >> item in the box; instead, it took me off to another page. The way to stop >> this from happening, with Window-Eyes or JAWS, is to open the combo box >> using the Alt-Down arrow. Then it behaves normally. >> >> When I entered "Mariah Carey" in the edit box and chose "artist" from the >> combo box, there were two results, neither of well-known songs. The first >> result was "Mariah Carey, the Unauthorized CD Biography" and the second >> was >> "Mariah Carey Tribute Band." eMusic does have a lot of tribute-band >> recordings of popular artists, so it is important to check if the >> recording >> you are looking for is from the actual artist or a tribute band. >> >> When I did an artist search for "Tim McGraw" without quotes, I got 111 >> results. I realized that eMusic gave me every artist it has with the name >> "Tim." "Tim McGraw" in quotes gave no results. "Beatles" did not yield >> any >> results either. For "Black Eyed Peas," my one result was a "Black Eyed >> Peas" >> tribute band. >> >> I decided to search for Charlie Parker, the jazz saxophonist. I entered >> "Parker" in the edit box and chose the "artist" option in the combo box. >> My >> search yielded several artists named Parker, and Charlie was one of them. >> A >> list of Charlie Parker's eMusic albums was displayed. Sometimes, even >> with >> the window maximized, only part of an album's title is visible. When the >> album's link is activated, the full title is read. For each album, there >> was >> a link labeled, Listen. Once that link was activated, brief clips of each >> song on the album were played. >> >> When the album's Title link is activated, more specific information, >> including the song title, artist time, and download links for each >> individual track are displayed. At the bottom of the track listing is a >> link >> to download the entire album. The information on the album is presented >> toward the bottom of the page. Above it are play lists from other members >> and editor's picks. >> >> After I spent some time listening to clips of Charlie Parker's music, I >> settled on "Koko," a track from the album, The Best of the Bird. When I >> downloaded the song, there was no option to choose where the track went >> to >> on the hard drive. I found the track by doing a search for the track's >> name, >> "Koko." The track was in a folder called, My eMusic. The actual MP3 file >> was >> buried several folders into the My eMusic folder. First, there was an >> artist >> folder, and opening that folder revealed another folder labeled with the >> album's title. Once that folder was opened, there was the MP3 file. Once >> I >> located the MP3 file, I was able to rename it to fit the format I use for >> labeling my MP3 files and then move it to the folder that contains such >> files. When I downloaded subsequent tracks, I then knew where to find >> them. >> >> If you are a classical music fan, eMusic may be a good web site for you. >> There are many classical tracks, and you can search by composer, name of >> composition, album title, conductor, or ensemble. There are also many >> classical music compilation albums. Jazz enthusiasts will also find many >> choices. >> >> Getting Help >> The Help link is located close to the top of the page. There are a >> variety >>of help topics, including frequently asked questions (FAQ), general >> questions, my account questions and technical questions. The information >> contained in each link is clear. There is also a Contact Us customer >> service >> form. In the first part of the form, there is a combo box in which you >> choose a specific topic. The options include "cancel account" and >> "defective >> tracks." This combo box had the same accessibility problem as the eMusic >> Shortcuts combo box. After the combo box is a standard form to fill out. >> At >> the bottom of the form there is a message indicating that you will >> receive >> an automated e-mail tracking number when your form is submitted. >> >> The Bottom Line >> eMusic is easy to use once you learn where information is located. >> Although >> the web site does not have a large collection of popular music, it does >> have >> a lot of material from both known and unknown musicians and composers. >> The >> MP3 format works with all CD burners and portable players. >> >> RealPlayer < >> www.real.com> >> >> System Requirements >> Although RealPlayer will run on Windows 98 or higher, for the most recent >> player, Windows XP is recommended. On the system requirements page there >> is >> information about which versions of JAWS and Window-Eyes to use. There is >> also a link to use an earlier version of the player if necessary. There >> is >> screen reader information within the Help topics. RealPlayer also >> provides >> a >> specific e-mail address for screen-reader users to send feedback about >> accessibility issues. >> >> Links on the web site are clearly labeled, and there is a wide variety of >> material, including current and popular songs. RealPlayer uses its own >> .RAX >> protected format. This format will play on your computer, or you can burn >> it >> to a CD using RealPlayer's software. The .RAX format is different from >> the >> .RA music files because they are protected, and all purchases from the >> music >> store are in this protected format. In addition, if you plan to transfer >> your .RAX files to a portable device, check to determine whether your >> player >> supports this format. >> >> Registration >> Before you download music from RealPlayer, the RealPlayer software must >> be >> installed and an account must be created. Setting up an account is >> simple. >> The standard questions include password, credit card number, and address. >> >> There are two different versions of the RealPlayer software. The free >> basic >> player lets you download and play music along with some other features. >> The >> RealPlayer Plus has more features, including the ability to convert some >> file formats. However, purchases from the music store, which are in the >> secure, protected .RAX format, cannot be converted. The fee for this >> player >> is $19.95. There is a link on the home page to get a 14-day free trial. >> Either version of the player will play other formats, such as MP3 and >> Windows Media. >> >> Although the installation process is straightforward, there are check >> boxes >> and radio buttons that you need to read carefully. By default, the radio >> button for the free player is not checked. Also, the check box to have >> RealPlayer as the default player for all media is checked. Later in the >> installation process, there are also check boxes for receiving different >> information, such as e-mail notification of new songs and product >> updates. >> >> Getting Music >> RealPlayer uses a basic search form. There is an edit box and a combo box >> with the following options: artist, track, album, and composer. The final >> control is a Search button. Another option is to activate one of the >> genre >> links, such as Pop, Rock, Country, or Alternative. >> >> When I typed "Mariah Carey" in the edit box and chose artist from the >> combo >> box, I received many results for performers named Carey. The top choice >> was >> Mariah Carey, and I selected that link. The search results were easily >> located. >> >> I was presented with a list of Mariah Carey's popular albums, including >> her >> most recent, The Emancipation of Mimi. There was also a list of single >> songs. Activating an album's link brings up its track list. This list is >> displayed farther down the web page, below the album listings. Once you >> find >> a track that you want, there is a Click to Preview link and a Click to >> Purchase link. I downloaded, "We Belong Together" from the album, The >> Emancipation of Mimi. If I had put "We Belong Together" in the edit box >> and >> selected Track in the combo box, I would have gotten many fewer results, >> and >> it would have been easier to find that one song. >> >> The music downloaded into the My Music subfolder of My Documents. As with >> eMusic, there were several subfolders before I got to the song, starting >> with the artist's name. >> >> A lot of classical music is available at the RealPlayer music store. >> Searching for "J. S. Bach" brought up a long list of albums. Jazz fans >> will >> also find a lot to choose from. My "Charlie Parker" search brought up >> many >> album options as well. I found several tracks by the Beatles and separate >> links for each of the group's members. In addition, many results were >> displayed for Tim McGraw. >> >> Getting Help >> RealPlayer uses a knowledge base, links, e-mail, and telephone contacts >> for >> customer support. Activating a Help link, such as RealPlayer or Music >> Store, >> brings up specific information that is relevant to that topic. >> >> The Bottom Line >> RealPlayer is an easy site to use and has a wide range of material. Since >> it >> uses a proprietary format, not all CD burners and portable devices can >> support it. If the file format is not an issue, then RealPlayer may be a >> good choice for buying and downloading music. >> >> Rhapsody < >> www.rhapsody.com> >> >> System Requirements >> Windows 98 SE, ME, 2000 or XP. A high-speed Internet connection is >> required >> for streaming music. Rhapsody is available only in the United States. >> >> Rhapsody's home page does not have any unlabeled links. There is a Learn >> More link on the home page. One of the options after the link is >> activated >> is Take a Tour. Unfortunately, the tour is all visual and does not have >> even >> one word of audio. >> >> Although you can link to Rhapsody through real.com, they are separate >> entities. While RealPlayer is a music store, Rhapsody is a music >> subscription service where you can stream or download music, depending on >> the subscription option that you choose. There is an extra fee for >> burning >> Rhapsody music onto a CD. While RealPlayer uses the .RAX format, Rhapsody >> uses the more common WMA protected format. >> >> Streamed music does not go to the computer's hard drive, but instead >> remains >> on Rhapsody's server. To listen to the music, you must be connected to >> the >> Internet and log into your account. Once your subscription is canceled, >> you >> no longer have access to your music on the server. >> >> Rhapsody offers a free service called Rhapsody 25. With this service, you >> can stream a total of 25 songs per month for no charge. If you stream the >> same song more than once, it counts toward your 25 streams. CD burning is >> not an option with this free plan. >> >> Registration >> Registering for Rhapsody is simple. By default, the radio button for the >> free account is checked. Rhapsody did recognize my e-mail address and >> password from my RealPlayer account. To listen to streamed music from >> Rhapsody, its player must be installed. I did ask for sighted help for >> the >> installation. >> >> Getting Music >> Rhapsody uses a standard search form. The first control is an edit box >> followed by a combo box that includes artist, track, and key word. The >> final >> control is a Search button. It is also possible to search by genre, by >> first >> activating the Find Music link. >> >> I inserted "Mariah Carey" in the edit box and "artist" in the combo box. >> My >> results were displayed similarly to the display in RealPlayer. I selected >> the same album and then the same track as I did with RealPlayer. I was >> presented with the option to play the track, but although Rhapsody has a >> music store, where you can purchase tracks or albums, I could not find an >> option to purchase the song. >> >> Getting Help >> Rhapsody's Help system uses a knowledge base and e-mail contact. Once I >> submitted my question, "how to buy tracks," which required that I fill >> out >> several forms, I received an auto reply e-mail saying that I should >> receive >> an answer to my question in 24 hours. In fact, I received an e-mail >> response >> in about 18 hours, but the response did not help me. >> >> Next I called Rhapsody's technical support. The wait time was less than >> two >> minutes, but technical support did not completely solve my problem. In >> addition, I spoke to four people, three of whom had strong accents that >> were >> sometimes hard to understand. I was informed that I had the wrong version >> of >> Rhapsody, even though I downloaded it the day before. The last technical >> support representative sent me a link to get the latest version. The >> e-mail >> that contained the link had three spelling errors in it. >> >> I then called technical support several more times and got a bunch of >> different answers, but no one could tell me the correct way to buy a >> track. >> These technical support representatives had strong accents as well and >> seemed to get impatient when I asked them to repeat what they just said. >> I >> repeatedly had to remind several of them that I was blind. Trying to get >> an >> answer to this one question was extremely frustrating. After spending >> hours >> trying to buy a song, I finally gave up on Rhapsody. >> >> A couple of days later, I received a survey from Rhapsody wanting to know >> how happy I was with its technical support. I did not give it a good >> rating. >> I e-mailed the form the same day, but have not yet received a response. >> >> The Bottom Line >> If you just want to stream music, then Rhapsody is a good site to use. If >> you want to try Rhapsody and buy tracks, I hope you have better luck than >> I >> did. >> >> Napster < >> www.napster.com> >> >> System Requirements >> Windows XP or 2000 and Internet Explorer 5.1 or higher. >> >> Napster is now legal and has a large selection of music, including >> current >> songs. It offers a subscription plan by which you pay a given amount a >> month >> and can listen to an unlimited amount of music on- or offline, by >> downloading the music to your computer. Your account can be accessed by >> up >> to three computers. When you cancel your subscription, you no longer have >> access to your music. Napster Light, which is an online music store, >> allows >> you to purchase songs at 99 cents per song. These are your songs to keep >> with or without a Napster subscription. Songs are delivered in the WMA >> protected format. Napster offers a seven-day free trial. >> >> Although there are some unlabeled links that start with the words, "duet >> registration," most of the links are easy to read. The FAQ section >> provides >> many answers. There are two search forms on the web site, the first >> consisting of an edit box and a Search button, and the second having a >> combo >> box and a Search button to search the top five songs by genre. The best >> way >> to use the edit box and Search button is to search by artist. The results >> are displayed under the form. The top five genre results are displayed >> under >> that search form. These forms are good for finding out information, but >> they >> will not help get music onto your computer. Once you are registered, a >> different search form is used. >> >> Registration >> Before you can use Napster, you must download its software and set up an >> account. The software was easy to download. I did have some difficulty >> filling out the registration form and asked for sighted help. When the >> Napster program is first launched, there is an option to sign in >> automatically. Choosing this option will eliminate one task every time >> you >> use the program. >> >> My initial response when I opened the Napster program was frustration and >> disappointment. There were many links for songs, but it was initially >> hard >> to find the search form. The Browse Mode controls for Window-Eyes did not >> work. I eventually found a combo box with such items as artist, track, >> and >> album, but the edit box for entering text was not clear. I finally >> decided >> to call technical support and was surprised to find that I did not have >> to >> hold for more than a couple of minutes and that the person who assisted >> me >> spoke clearly and was eager to help. >> >> Window-Eyes does not see the entire screen. For example, on the top left >> column of Napster, there are buttons for File, Account, and Help. On the >> top >> right of the program, there are buttons for changing the window size. >> Maximizing the window did not make any difference in what Window-Eyes >> spoke. >> Window-Eyes also did not see the buttons for the Library and Radio >> Stations. >> Even with these problems, Napster can work well enough to play, download, >> and purchase music. >> >> Getting Music >> When the Napster program launches, you are placed one tab away from the >> search form's edit box. Keep in mind that the edit box may not say edit >> box, >> but rather something else on the page. Type in what you are looking for >> and >> press the Tab key. The next control is the combo box to search by artist, >> track, album, and so forth. After you make a selection in the combo box, >> hit >> the Enter key. Napster's search form does not have a Search button that >> my >> screen reader could find. Using Ctrl-Tab will cycle you through the >> search >> form. You may hear some other words, not related to the form, but after >> one >> or two presses, you will be back in the search form. Another option is to >> close the program and then reopen it. You do not want to keep hitting the >> Tab key because doing so can take you to unrelated links. >> >> I put the song title "We Belong Together" in the edit box and chose Track >> from the combo box. My results were right under the combo box. It said, >> "Most popular track results based on your search." Underneath was the >> list >> of tracks and their artists. I found the track I wanted and, using the >> Window-Eyes mouse keys, put the pointer on the track title and did a >> right >> click. This brought up a Context menu with many options. The top option >> was >> Play, so I hit Enter, and the track quickly played. >> >> Another option is to download a track to your computer. The music will >> stay >> on your computer until you stop your Napster membership. Since the >> Library >> button is not accessible with Window-Eyes, I had Napster download all my >> tracks to the folder My Music on my C drive. By default, Napster will >> download tracks to the My Music subfolder within My Documents. During >> software installation, there is an edit box to choose where the files go >> when they are downloaded or purchased. To download a track, simply choose >> the Download Tracks option from the Context menu. You can play the >> downloaded song as much as you wish, but you cannot burn it onto a CD or >> transfer it to a portable device. >> >> It is easy to purchase tracks with Napster. As with playing and >> downloading >> tracks, right click on the track's name and choose, Purchase Tracks from >> the >> Context menu. This will open up a dialogue box, where you will be asked >> to >> enter your password. The Browse controls do not work with this form >> either, >> so just type the password. After the password is entered, pressing Tab >> will >> bring you to an unlabeled button with a long name. That is the Submit >> button. >> >> Another page comes up that shows your searches on the top and then >> farther >> down displays the name of the track and its price. I needed to use the >> Window-Eyes mouse keys to read this page. There is a picture link that >> says >> Buy. Activating that link will start the download process. Since this >> track >> was purchased, I own it. If I discontinue my Napster membership, I will >> still own the track. Since the track was purchased, it can be burned to a >> CD >> or transferred to a portable player. >> >> Getting Help >> Napster has a FAQ link for people who are thinking about signing up. >> There >> is also a Quick Help link for Napster members. These links provide a lot >> of >> information. Within the Napster program, the User's Guide can be accessed >> through the Help button. However, this button was not accessible to me. I >> called technical support to ask if they could e-mail me the User's Guide, >> but they were not set up to do that. The representative directed me to >> the >> Quick Help links, but I had already tried that option. >> >> Napster has an e-mail form for obtaining help. There is also telephone >> technical support. I had called them several times and never waited more >> than a couple of minutes. One of the representatives I spoke to seemed >> genuinely interested in how screen readers work. Without my asking, he >> gave >> me a verbal layout of the program and patiently walked me through how to >> find and play tracks. >> >> The Bottom Line >> Although some parts of Napster are not accessible, with determination and >> possibly a little sighted help, it is relatively easy to find, play, >> download, or purchase music. There is often a lot of extra information, >> not >> related to the search, so just be aware of it. Also, remember that part >> of >> the page may not be accessible. >> >> Wal-Mart < >> www.walmart.com> >> >> System Requirements >> Windows 2000 or XP. Available only in the United States. >> >> No, your screen reader is not having a breakdown. Wal-Mart has music >> available for 88 cents per song. The music comes in the WMA protected >> format. The web site states that over 1 million songs are available. >> There >> is current music and a good selection of other songs. The web site takes >> some getting used to, but it is relatively easy to use. Besides, you can >> do >> some other online shopping while you're there. >> >> Registration >> To download music, you will need to install Wal-Mart's Download Manager >> software. You may need some sighted assistance with this operation. You >> will >> also have to create a Wal-Mart account. You do so through edit boxes and >> a >> few combo boxes. Once you have set up the account, you are ready to shop. >> >> Getting Music >>>From the home page, activate the Music link. When that page loads, >>>activate >>>the Downloads link. >> >> There are many links on the page, but just use form controls to find the >> first control of the search form. Wal-Mart uses a standard form with an >> edit >> box; a combo box for artist, song, and so forth; and a Search button, >> which >> has a long link that ends with "search.gif." To find your results, use >> your >> form keys to locate the Search button and then arrow down. Depending on >> your >> search, you may need to arrow down through many links to find your >> results. >> If you arrow down too far or go to the bottom of the page and arrow up, >> you >> may see the words, "Thanks for your order, your songs are downloading >> now." >> This message is misleading. Until you have checked out, your songs will >> not >> download. If you did not install the software prior to checking out, your >> songs cannot download. >> >> Wal-Mart had the Mariah Carey CD, The Emancipation of Mimi, as well as >> other >> albums by Mariah Carey. I was able to find many other current songs, >> including, "You're Beautiful," by James Blunt, and "My Humps," by the >> Black >> Eyed Peas. Above the song's title there is usually an unlabeled link that >> says something like "PR (0)." Selecting this link will play a clip of the >> song. Another way to hear a sample is to select the song's album link, >> where, above each song, is a more clearly labeled link to play a sample. >> >> If you find a song that you want, you will need to figure out how your >> screen reader adds it to your shopping cart. There is a link that ends >> with >> the phrase, "add to cart," and clicking on those words with your mouse >> pointer usually adds it to the shopping cart. However, I found that it >> sometimes takes several clicks or a click on the price (88 cents), which >> is >> located right above the link, to put the song in my cart. Although there >> are >> inconsistencies, with a little patience, the task can be accomplished. If >> you want to be sure that the song is in your cart, just arrow up the page >> to >> the shopping cart. >> >> Once you have completed your shopping, it is time to check out. Here, >> too, >> the links may initially be confusing, but with a little practice, it is >> not >> too hard to navigate. Just below the search form is the information about >> your shopping cart. You will notice that it is in Shopping Mode. When you >> are ready to check out, just activate the link that says, Change. This >> will >> put you in Checkout Mode, and there will be a "log in" form. During the >> checkout process, you will have the opportunity to remove any songs that >> you >> do not want. >> >> The songs will show up in the My Music folder in My Documents. They will >> also be available in Windows Media player. The main folder will be called >> Downloads, and then each artist will have his or her own subfolder that >> contains the downloaded song. >> >> Getting Help >> Wal-Mart has a FAQ section that provides many answers. There is also >> technical assistance by telephone. When I started working with the site, >> I >> called to check which file format Wal-Mart uses. The customer service >> representative was helpful and answered all my questions. Live help is >> available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There is a separate number to >> call >> if you are having problems with checkout. >> >> The Bottom Line >> Although there are some unlabeled links and many links that may get in >> the >> way, this is still a good site. After a little practice, it is relatively >> easy to navigate, and the customer service representatives are willing to >> help. >> >> iTunes < >> www.itunes.com> >> >> System Requirements >> Windows XP is required for iTunes. iTunes uses Apple's proprietary .AAC >> format. The iTunes music store is accessed through the iTunes software, >> which is loaded onto your computer. This is the same software that comes >> with the iPod, so no extra software installation is required. Even with >> configuration files for Window-Eyes and JAWS, iTunes is not totally >> accessible. >> >> Lists of top 10 songs in a wide variety of genres can be found at >> <www.itunes.com >>>. This site is the actual iTunes site and contains >> information about various iPod products and software. It is a good place >> to >> start looking for songs if you are not sure what is current and popular >> in >> a >> specific genre. There are links for all the genres and a genre combo-box >> form. >> >> Registration >> Before you can start making purchases in the iTunes music store, you must >> set up an account. This is not an easy feat. Window-Eyes did not read all >> the information and edit boxes, and there were times when I thought I had >> put the right information in a specific edit box, but it appeared in the >> wrong place. Also, the Browse Mode in Window-Eyes controls did not work >> in >> iTunes. I needed sighted help to set up my music store account. >> Fortunately, >> when you set up the account, there is an option to have iTunes recognize >> your computer, so you do not have to enter anything but your password if >> you >> want to buy tracks. >> >> Getting Music >> The iTunes music store has many current songs, as well as older material. >> To >> find a song, go to the Music Store item in the iTunes Source List and >> press >> Tab. You are now in an edit box. Type in the name of what you are looking >> for. If possible, use the name of the song to get the most accurate >> results. >> There is no combo box in the search form. After you enter the search >> term, >> press the Enter key. >> >> It was necessary for me to use the Window-Eyes mouse keys to read the >> search >> results. There was a lot of extra, unrelated information on the screen, >> such >> as the names of tracks that iTunes was featuring and a list of items in >> my >> iTunes source list. I was able to find the Mariah Carey song, "We Belong >> Together," mixed in with other search results. >> >> It is important to make sure that you are in the right place and on the >> right song before you buy it. Sometimes the screen is cluttered, and it >> is >> possible to click on a song with the same or similar title. iTunes will >> show >> the performer's name after the title and time of song. With Window-Eyes, >> I >> was able to play a short clip of the song by first using the mouse left >> click key to highlight the name of the track and then pressing Enter. >> >> Once you choose a song that you want to buy, you will have to locate the >> Buy >> button, which is not clearly labeled. To find it, move your mouse pointer >> to >> the last digit of a song's price, which is usually 99 cents so your >> pointer >> will be on the second 9. Next, move your pointer one space to the right. >> Your screen reader may say the first letter of a different title, but >> ignore >> it and left click. If you are in the right place, you will be asked to >> enter >> your password. After you enter your password, tab to the Buy button and >> hit >> Enter. Your track will automatically download into your iTunes library. >> >> Getting Help >> Within iTunes, there is a Help menu that can be accessed by typing Alt-H. >> I >> found many instances in which the help descriptions involved clicking on >> graphics. Telephone technical support is also available. >> >> The Bottom Line >> Because of the way information is presented in iTunes, it can be >> cumbersome >> to navigate. Setting up the music store account is difficult, if not >> impossible, with a screen reader. The main reason to use iTunes is that >> its >> proprietary .AAC format can be transferred directly to an iPod. >> >> In Short >> eMusic is easy to use and delivers material in the universal MP3 format. >> The >> site does not have a lot of current music and does not carry materials >> from >> the major labels. After the free trial subscription, you must have a paid >> subscription to use the site. >> >> RealPlayer has current music and music from the major labels. The site is >> easy to use but delivers material in its own proprietary .RAX format. >> This >> format cannot be played by all portable players and CD burners or by >> Windows >> Media Player. This is a music store, not a subscription service. >> >> Rhapsody has current music and materials from the major labels. It >> delivers >> material in the WMA protected format. Rhapsody works well for streaming, >> but >> you must be on line to listen to your streamed music. It was impossible >> to >> buy tracks, and the technical support was poor and not helpful. Rhapsody >> is >> a subscription service and a music store. >> >> Napster has current music and material from the major labels. Material is >> delivered in the WMA protected format. Although Napster is initially >> difficult to set up and not all features are accessible, it does work >> well >> for downloading music to your computer and purchasing music. You can >> listen >> to your downloaded music offline. It is easy to purchase tracks. >> Technical >> support is helpful. Napster can be used just as a music store, or it can >> be >> used as a subscription service with the ability to purchase tracks. >> >> Wal-Mart has a lot of current music, as well as material from the major >> labels. Its tracks cost 88 cents each, rather than the usual 99 cents. >> Wal-Mart's music is in WMA protected format. There are many extra links >> on >> each page of the web site, but with some patience and practice, the site >> can >> be easily navigated. Technical support is helpful. Wal-Mart is strictly a >> music store. >> >> iTunes has current music and material from the major labels. It uses >> Apple's >> proprietary .AAC format. When search results are displayed, a lot of >> extra >> information is also presented. This can be tough to handle. iTunes is >> strictly a music store. >> >> Unfortunately, no single web site is totally accessible, has old and new >> music from major record labels, and uses a format that is compatible with >> all portable players and CD burners. Of all the download sites reviewed, >> however, my favorite is Napster. >> >> For More Information >> To learn more about portable devices, not only the iPod, visit two pages >> offered by Brian Hartgen: >> >> Portable Media Player Portal, <www/hartgen.org/portable.html>. >> >> On the page, you can find information about iPod configuration files for >> Window-Eyes and JAWS and information about how to join the Blind iPod >> mailing list. I found this list helpful. Some members of the mailing list >> use other portable devices than the iPod. >> >> The Portable Player Portal Blog, < >> http://portableplayerportal.wordpress.com> >> >> >> This blog is for posting new information and updates. >> >> The iPod Experience, by Anna Dresner, available from National Braille >> Press >> <www.nbp.org >>> is an interesting, firsthand account of the author's >> experience with the iPod Shuffle. The book also contains some useful >> resources. >> >> >> http://www.afb.org/afbpress/pub.asp?DocID=aw070407 >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: "Debbie G" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> >> To: <[email protected]> >> Sent: Friday, October 27, 2006 11:21 AM >> Subject: [jaws-users] Downloading music sites >> >> >>> Hi all, >>> >>> Do any of you know of any legal sites that people can download music and >>> are accessible with Jaws? >>> >>> I don't remember if I asked this question before. >>> >>> Thanks in advance. >>> Debbie >>> Owner of a new group: >>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] >>> >>> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed] >>> >>> >>> >>> Visit the JAWS Users list home page at: >>> http://www.jaws-users.com >>> >>> For a complete list of email commands pertaining to the JAWS Users List >>> send a blank email to: >>> [EMAIL PROTECTED] >>> >>> Visit the new archives page at the following address >>> http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ >>> Yahoo! Groups Links >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> >> >> >> >> >> Visit the JAWS Users list home page at: >> http://www.jaws-users.com >> >> For a complete list of email commands pertaining to the JAWS Users List >> send a blank email to: >> [EMAIL PROTECTED] >> >> Visit the new archives page at the following address >> http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ >> Yahoo! Groups Links >> >> >> >> >> > > > > > Visit the JAWS Users list home page at: > http://www.jaws-users.com > > For a complete list of email commands pertaining to the JAWS Users List > send a blank email to: > [EMAIL PROTECTED] > > Visit the new archives page at the following address > http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ > Yahoo! Groups Links > > > > > Visit the JAWS Users list home page at: http://www.jaws-users.com For a complete list of email commands pertaining to the JAWS Users List send a blank email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Visit the new archives page at the following address http://www.mail-archive.com/[email protected]/ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/jaws-users/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/jaws-users/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
