Jim Devine wrote:
(2) I tried to "rip" songs from two CDs (by the Dixie Chix and
Broooce) so I could play them on my MP3 player. The CDs wouldn't let
me rip the first song on each CD. It seems we have a new
copy-protection scheme.
.
NCH Swift Sound
http://nch.com.au/wavepad/index.html
Direct to the download:
http://nch.com.au/cgi-bin/dld.exe?file=http://nch.com.au/wavepad/wpsetup.exe
Listen to the CD while recording with wavepad, cut them into individual
song files, put in a folder, and use Roxio or whatever CD burner your
computer came with. I am assuming you use Windows. I'm not up on the Mac
software scene, but I'm sure there's something similar for Macs.
For best results, don't use any internet resources while using wavepad
or run any other software while putting the music on a CD.
You don't want any bleeps or bloops from the internet or computer error
(etc) sounds to come through while using wavepad or it will end up as
part of your song, and burning CDs is CPU intensive, but not exclusive,
and you might end up with damaged audio on the CD if another program
competes for CPU time.
Speaking of Windows:
Bill Gates to step aside in 2008
6/15/2006 4:29:56 PM, by Eric Bangeman
In a surprise announcement, Microsoft revealed that cofounder, Chairman,
and former CEO Bill Gates will be giving up his day-to-day duties at
Microsoft. Gates is relinquishing his title of Chief Software Architect
now, but will continue to be involved in the company's operations on a
daily basis until July 2008. He will then stay on as Chairman of the
Board and an advisor on "key development projects" after the transition
is complete.
Stepping into the role of CSA is current Chief Technical Officer Ray
Ozzie, while fellow CTO Craig Mundie will take over the newly created
position of Chief Research and Strategy Officer. In that role, he will
assume Gates' responsibility for oversight of the company's research and
development efforts. While Gates says it's a difficult transition for
him to make, he also believes this is a good time for it.
"Our business and technical leadership has never been stronger, and
Microsoft is well-positioned for success in the years ahead. I feel very
fortunate to have such great technical leaders like Ray and Craig at the
company," Gates said. "I remain fully committed and full time at
Microsoft through June 2008 and will be working side by side with Ray
and Craig to ensure that a smooth transition occurs."
He's not heading off to an RV park in Florida, however. Instead of
overseeing things at Microsoft, he will step up his involvement in the
charitable Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, focusing on his nonprofit's
health and education work.
Along with longtime friend Paul Allen, Bill Gates started Microsoft in
1975. The company got its start working on BASIC and quickly moved on to
other projects. In 1981, Microsoft produced PC-DOS, the forerunner to
(actually an ongoing testbed for // Leigh) MS-DOS and moved on to bigger
and better things, like Microsoft Office and what has become the world's
dominant PC operating system, Windows.
Gates remained at the helm of the company until 2000, when he stepped
aside from his CEO duties, allowing Steve Ballmer to take over. He has
remained highly visible in his role as Chairman, appearing at many
industry events and conventions to deliver keynote speeches and spread
the gospel of Windows around the world.
It's almost impossible to understate the impact Bill Gates has had on
the technology world during the last 30 years. In that time, personal
computers have gone from inscrutable metal boxes with blinking lights to
the complex, yet easily usable and ubiquitous devices they are today.
Microsoft's development and licensing of the Windows operating system
and aggressive business practices were responsible for much of the
movement, not to mention the company's dominance today.
Gates leaves Microsoft in a good position. Despite the recent hits that
the company's stock has taken, it still has an impressive balance sheet
and the kind of market share in its core businesses that is the envy of
every one of its competitors. At the same time, with its first major
operating system release in over five years due at the beginning of 2007
and an ever-changing technology landscape, Microsoft faces challenges
today that were barely conceivable just a few years ago. As a result,
the company's growth prospects are no longer as clear cut as they once
were. Still, Gates will be leaving the company he cofounded in an
enviable position when he steps away in two years—that is, if Microsoft
is able to successfully meet the numerous challenges it faces between
now and then.
Leigh
