cds

Why you want a Linux Live CD

For the most part, on this blog, I try to convince readers to do something defensive on their computers - like a parent nagging a child to eat their vegetables. Only once have I put my foot down, so to speak, saying unequivocally last year that all Windows XP users should employ DropMyRights. Now, another emphatic endorsement - all Windows users should have a Linux Live CD, and, know how to use it.

If you're not familiar with the term "Live" applied to a CD, that's because it's not something that exists in the Windows … Read more

British study shows recorded music far from dead

Last week, the British Music Rights organization published a study about the musical habits and desires of younger listeners. The survey (available here in PDF form) included more than 1,000 recipients, age 14 and up, enrolled in universities or "feeder schools," and the results contain some positive nuggets for the ailing recorded music industry.

Most notably, given all the warnings about video games and other forms of entertainment taking music's place, music is still important to kids: 73% of those surveyed said they'd want to take their music collection with them to a desert island. … Read more

Former SpiralFrog executives join Qtrax

Robin Kent, the former CEO of struggling free music site SpiralFrog, has signed on to do consulting for Qtrax, a former competitor in the free-music category.

Kent and SpiralFrog's Chief Marketing Officer Lance Ford, recently founded Rebel Digital, an advertising consulting firm. The duo will help Qtrax sell advertising in preparation for the September launch of the ad-supported music service.

"We're going to help monetize themselves through advertising," Kent said of Qtrax. "Everybody has been talking about the advertising model, but there's actually very few people that know how to make that happen. We … Read more

Retro music system is too old

We're not terribly fond of retro designs, as we've mentioned before, but the "Retro Console Music System" does get high marks for effort. Unlike other items that just slap an old analog face on some digital innards, this system at least tries to integrate its new players into a unique hybrid design that still looks distinctly like something from yesteryear.

Unfortunately, it doesn't update its music technology far enough. Although Chip Chick notes that it includes a CD changer, turntable, radio, cassette decks and two-way speakers (what, no 8-track?), the $300 system doesn't appear … Read more

Who says CDs are dead?

Given the number of new devices out there that are aimed at servicing CDs one way or another, it seems that the age of compact discs isn't over just yet. And companies like BlueDot intend to make the most of it while they can.

Its "Divita" storage tower holds 100 CDs (or DVDs) in its steel cylindrical form, according to OhGizmo. But its best feature, in our opinion, is the space-saving keypad on top of the shiny silo, which has a high-resolution 1.8-inch screen that can help search through your collection. The worst feature, however, is … Read more

A turntable for all generations

Apparently, the musical nostalgia we've noticed recently just won't quit. The latest gear for LP die-hards comes in the form of Numark's "x2 Hybrid Turntable" as featured on Uncrate.

This music time machine spans several generations, mixing vinyl albums, CDs and MP3s (what, no cassettes?) to bring out the aspiring DJ in you. But for its $1,000 price tag, we'd expect them to throw in a few 8-track tapes too.

Save LPs on CDs for auld lang syne

Maybe the New Year is making people reminisce, but for some reason lately we've been seeing more products than usual that convert cassette tapes, LPs and other historical artifacts to digital form. One such example is Hammacher Schlemmer's "LP to CD Record Stereo," which does exactly what its rather prosaic name indicates: It records albums onto discs, allowing you to pause or change LPs along the way if some tunes are just too embarrassing to preserve.

In addition to standard 33 albums, Chip Chick says the machine can record at 45 and even 78 speeds. Now … Read more

Don't hide those CDs--flaunt 'em

There's a dirty little secret among MP3 owners: Even some of the most ardent iPod loyalists still have CDs. The horror.

But rather than hide them in the closet, we say this: If you've got it, flaunt it. And we can think of no better way to do that than with these "MixIt CD Stickers" from the Container Store. Popgadget notes that you can personalize your otherwise boring media storage with "colorful dots, happy stripes or cheerful florals." And if you change your mind, they can always blend in with the wallpaper.

'Media crusher' keeps secrets safe

We have no problem with shredding pulp documents, but it's always felt wrong to break CDs and DVDs. For one thing, we've never been sure how to do it exactly. Do you use tools? If so, what kind? Breaking discs with your bare hands seems like an unnecessary risk of personal injury.

So it makes perfect sense that something like Elcom's "media crusher" would come along. Fareastgizmos reports that the crusher, which is powered by a USB connection, "takes only 5 seconds to permanently destroy" CDs and DVDs.

The device doesn't literally … Read more