"How to..."

Windows Media Player 7: Simplified
Microsoft's Windows Media Player 7 is absolutely packed with new features that simply blow the lid off of the all-in-one multimedia player category. Find out all you need to know in this informative beginner's guide.

The File-Sharing FAQ
On July 28th, 2000 an apeals court answered Napster's plea. The court has let the song-sharing site continue service. What? You still have questions about Napster? No problem! Check out our comprehensive FAQ and make up for lost time!

Ultimate Guide to Scour Exchange
While Scour Exchange isn't the only program for swapping multimedia files, its user-friendly interface is great for both beginners and experts. Check out our beginner's guide and start sharing in style!

The CuteMX Beginner's Guide
The file-sharing phenomenon is transforming the way we buy and listen to music. You've probably heard of Napster and Gnutella, and you may be curious to know what other programs are available. Now, we have a how-to for CuteMX, one of the coolest new MP3-swapping programs!

Top Secret Napster Tricks
Are you having trouble getting MP3s on campus? Beat the Napster blues with this ZDNet Music special report. We detail the undocumented secrets that will ensure you Napster success.

MP3 Beginners Guide, Tips and More
So you've decided to join the MP3 revolution. That was the easy part. Now you need the equipment. Fortunately, we've taken all of the guesswork out of choosing the best software for playing, recording and finding the digital music you so desperately crave.

Beginner's Guide to Napster
In 1999, Shawn Fanning wrote a small MP3-sharing application known as Napster, and an MP3-sharing community was built overnight. New songs could be found and downloaded at the touch of a button. Entire albums could be exchanged in minutes for free. And all with complete anonymity. Join the music revolution with this step-by-step guide on setting up and using Napster.

Beginner's Guide to Gnutella
Picture Napster without the weak link of a centralized server and the ability to handle much more than MP3 files. What you're seeing is Gnutella, an easy-to-use yet extremely powerful tool in the ongoing hunt for MP3s, mpeg video clips, and just about anything else you can think of. Learn to use it here.

The Media Enforcer Low-down
What do you do if your band just wrote the next big hit, and before you even have a chance to pitch it to the record companies, it's already on Napster? Well, no need to hire NetPD, the self-proclaimed "police of copyright infringement," to find all those greedy music users downloading your songs. Now you can do it yourself!

Become an Online DJ
Starting your own online radio broadcast with SHOUTcast and the RadioSpy DJ Tools is a snap. Anyone with a connection to the Internet and some favorite MP3 files can start their own little slice of the airwaves in a matter of minutes. (Provided by RadioSpy)

Add Talk Radio to Your Online Radio Show
Already running a SHOUTcast server? In just a few short minutes, you could be streaming live broadcasts, dedicating songs to star-crossed lovers or hosting your own call-in talk show. It's your choice! (Provided by RadioSpy)

Webcast Licensing
As with everything under the sun, you will need to jump through a few minor bureaucratic hoops to make your SHOUTcast station legal. But, hey, it’s a small price to pay for the ability to webcast at will. Find out how, now! (Provided by RadioSpy)

MP3 Storage Solutions
Running out of room as you create the greatest MP3 collection ever? Find out how to expand your storage space with this quick tip guide. (Provided by RadioSpy)

Five Winamp Plug-ins To Change Your Life
Are you bored with your cubicle? Saddened by your office décor? Let ZDNet Music change your life from a tedious chore to a torrid jungle club.

Use Sound To Improve Your Website
Tiresome web pages are easily spiced up with crazy sound effects. From simple chimes to the human voice, learn to liven up your site and impress your friends!

How to Promote Your Band Online
So, you have a band and no promotion plan? Stagnate no more! ZDNet Music demystifies the art of online promotion with this definitive guide.

 
Special Reports

The Best Satires on MP3 Piracy
Everyone has an opinion on the ongoing legislation over MP3 piracy and Internet copyright laws. So where do you stand? ZDNet Music has filtered through the mire to bring you the best satires.

Top Latin Pop Picks: Ricky Martin, Luis Miguel, and More!
ZDNet Music has teamed up with Listen.com to bring you the best free downloads. Enjoy free music from Ricky Martin, Luis Miguel, Manu Chao, and many other stars of the Latin pop world!

The New MP3 Cell Phone From Samsung
In terms of form and function, the SPH-M100 looks like an ordinary cell phone. However, upon closer inspection, the secondary nature of this phone is revealed!

Get The Best Headphones Today
Deny yourself digital audio no longer! Check out this ZDNet Music roundup of the best headphones and make an informed decision on your next purchase.

PhatBox: Ride Shotgun with Britney Spears!
Although the PhatBox looks like a car stereo amplifier, its true nature is far more impressive. The PhatBox is a simple and inexpensive means to listen to MP3s through a car stereo. ZDNet Music has the full story on this bold new system.

The Ten Best Winamp Skins
We know that many regular users haven't the time to peruse the hundreds of available skins on the Winamp web site, so to save you some time, we present you with our top ten Winamp skin choices for you to download. And remember, after you have made a decision, be sure to download some MP3s from ZDNet Music Downloads to test out your new look!

The Ultimate Jukebox Showdown
More than a month has passed since these two contenders entered our arena, and both programs have been recently updated to new versions. They're fit and ready to battle in a grueling seven-round contest. Join ZDNet Music ringside and find out which jukebox deserves the heavyweight belt!

Discover New Music Through the Buddha
John Adams, CEO and founder of MuBu.com, has designed a "collaborative filtering" music search engine. We reviewed this great new software gem and detail all of its cool features!

Five (More) Hot Gadgets
A stereo component MP3 Player, a portable MP3-CD Player, an in-dash MP3-CD Player, a portable MP3 hard drive and an MP3-playing cell phone attachment caught our eyes this week!

The Five Best MP3 Players
Overwhelmed by the onslaught of digital audio players on the market? Don't miss our MP3 Shootout. We throw the five best players into the same ring for head-to-head battle.

Ten Amazing Bands You Need to Hear
Join ZDNet Music and explore the music that you need to hear. Each week, we showcase ten bands from a cross section of genres to stream and download for free!

The Five Best Alternatives to Napster
Ever since the controversial file-sharing program Napster appeared late last year, scores of imitators have arrived on the scene. Most are worthless, but five show true promise. One or two may even be better than their inspiration. ZDNet Music reviews the five best Napster clones today.

The Ultimate Gnutella Spread
ZDNet Music has compiled the definitive list of all things Gnutella. Here you can download the program, read what lead programmer Gene Kan has to say about his work, check out the commentary from our top editors, and browse the history of this controversial new program.

All Things Napster
ZDNet Music has compiled the all purpose, no-holds-barred Napster Guide. Featuring the definitive beginners guide, developer interviews, competing product reviews, tips for getting on (after being booted off), and so much more. Everything you ever wanted to know about Napster is here!

EMusic.com's Gene Hoffman on Napster
Gene Hoffman, president and CEO of EMusic.com, launches ZDNet Music's exclusive series: MP3 Visionaries on MP3s. This inaugural column discusses MP3 piracy, the future of the music industry, and more!

Five Hot Gadgets
This episode of "Five Hot Gadgets" includes an MP3-playing watch, a standalone Internet radio device, an MP3 Player for the car, a mixing board, and and MP3 Player that looks like an audiotape.

Turning Your Car Into... An MP3 Player???
Audiophiles have desired mobile in-dash MP3 players for many years. Now, some have actually realized these dreams. Join ZDNet Music and see how audio freaks put MP3s in their car ahead of Sony and Kenwood!

Video Game MP3 Madness
MP3 players have invaded walkmans, home theater, even car audio. ZDNet Music plunges into the world of outrageous MP3 peripherals. Take a look at these video game consoles turned MP3 players.

The Five "Best" Music Web Sites?
While the movies have the Oscars and musicians have the Grammys, the Internet is awarded the Webbys. Watch ZDNet Music tear apart this year's choices for the Music Site of the Year award and herald the only possible Webby choice.

MP3 Jukebox Slug-Fest: Jukebox or Junk-box?
Looking for the best way to manage your MP3 collection? ZDNet Music pits the top three MP3 Jukeboxes against each other and offers the winner for download.

The History of MP3
ZDNet Music traces the history of the popular and controversial file format, from obscure German compression technique to the bane of the music industry's existence.

 
Interviews

Ian Clarke: The Uncensored Internet Bad-boy
Ian Clarke is the 23-year-old Irishman who, as a student at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, developed Freenet. This is the anonymous, uncensored Internet at its best! Check out this wild interview with the man behind the revolution!

Earn $25,000 a Month on MP3.com: The Mikel Fair Story
Mikel Fair has never been on MTV, and his new record isn't on the Billboard charts. But as a musician, he's already earned thousands of dollars from his MP3.com artist page. ZDNet Music has the exclusive interview with this rising success story.

The Infamous Metallicster Tells All!
Metallicster, a program being developed in the UK, was conceived as a Napster clone to be used for the exchange of entirely Metallica-related files. But it's grown into a much more exciting project. Read our exclusive interview with the developer.

The Napster Bomber Speaks
Mark Gunderson explains how Napster bombing has helped turn a little-known single into one of the most traded tracks on Napster. In this ZDNet Music exclusive, Gunderson explains his infuriating Napster bombs and his underground take on digital music.

The Man Who Built His Own MP3 Player
Have you ever walked through an electronics store and asked yourself, "I wonder if I could build my own MP3 player?" Probably not. One man did, though, and ZDNet Music has his story.

Gene Kan, Gnutella developer
Software developer Gene Kan is leading the effort to spread Gnutella -- the file-sharing software, that is -- across the internet. ZDNet Music talked to him about Napster, the future of file-sharing, the RIAA and more.

Alan Wilder, of Depeche Mode
In 1996, Alan Wilder Recoil-ed from the wildly successful Depeche Mode. Four years later, he's making the best music of his career. (Provided by RadioSpy)

Johnny Hickman, of Cracker
The alt-rock pioneers are hitting a new high note with some old friends, and learning about new tech from their kids. RadioSpy gets the scoop from guitarist Johnny Hickman. (Provided by RadioSpy)

Shawn Fanning, Napster developer
Currently entrenched in a battle against the RIAA and universities across the country, Napster has become a focal point of controversy on the Internet. ZDNet spoke with Napster's creator to learn more about the MP3 search software, and to find out what's in store for Napster users.

Ben Harper
Why he gave up his Weissenborn, why he doesn't need a Top 10 hit, and why we're smart enough to destroy ourselves. (Provided by RadioSpy)

Ben Watt
After conquering a devastating illness, Ben Watt reinvented Everything But The Girl and brought some maturtity to the world's dance floors. (Provided by RadioSpy)

DJ John Digweed
RadioSpy pins down critically lauded trance DJ & Bedrock founder, DJ John Digweed. (Provided by RadioSpy)

DJ Q-Bert
Eric Solomon talks soundtracks and the evolution of turntablism with DJ Q-Bert. (Provided by RadioSpy)

Duncan Sheik
After his success with "Barely Breathing," Duncan Sheik reconnects with his fans. (Provided by RadioSpy)

Henry Rollins
In between his 100 gigs last year, the cultural icon takes a break to discuss spoken word and music. (Provided by RadioSpy)

Moby
RadioSpy chases down electronica leviathan Moby at the 1999 Coachella Festival. (Provided by RadioSpy)

Richie "Plastikman" Hawtin
His appearance at the 1995 Glastonbury festival drew 20,000 into one cramped tent... read about one of electronic dance music's foremost innovators. (Provided by RadioSpy)

Save Ferris
Yet another Orange County ska band makes it big, but this time with a Dexy's cover? (Provided by RadioSpy)

Stereolab
Lounge-pop guru Tim Gane breaks from his US tour to discuss music, parenthood and Y2K. (Provided by RadioSpy)

Stone Temple Pilots
While lead singer Scott Weiland remains locked up for heroin possession, the rest of the band discuss the new album and good behavior. (Provided by RadioSpy)

The Aquabats
A chilling tale of refugees from an obscure island, survivors of a devastating invasion, arriving in Orange County, CA. Now the sunshine reigns and music rules the kingdom. The Aquabats' Bat Commander tells all. (Provided by RadioSpy)

Underworld
Verbal sparring with Rick Smith of Underworld at Coachella 1999. (Provided by RadioSpy)