There are two ways to have people get your songs online: downloading and streaming. A download occurs when someone puts a copy of your song or video on their computer for viewing later. Generally, only one download will happen per file. Once the user has it, they can keep it forever. Streaming occurs when someone opens a media player (like RealAudio, WinAmp, Quicktime or Windows Media Player) and the song is sent real time over the ‘net to the computer. It’s generally not saved on the user’s hard drive (at least not where it can be found easily), and can only be played while there is an active connection to the Internet.

 

 
Choose your format. The most popular format for audio is MPEG layer 3 encoding (MP3). MP3 can be used for both download and streaming. Other widely used formats are RealAudio format and Quicktime. Video comes in other formats, although RealMedia supports video streaming as well as audio streaming. When you are talking video (moving pictures and audio soundtrack), you are talking about Quicktime, RealVideo, and Flash movies. DIVx technology for high-resolution video is becoming popular, but the DIVx encoders are not included with a standard media player, and must be installed separately. This forces your users to take an additional step (or several, really, since they have to go to another website, download and install some software and then go back to you website and download your video). Many of them will not be willing to do that, and just keep surfing away from your website. The bottom line is keep your user experience easy and fast. Use current technology, or even slightly older technology, because most people will be able to interact with your site. You can always upgrade your website as newer technologies become the new standard technologies. If you must have the absolute, leading-edge stuff on your website, have older “standard” alternatives for people who haven’t adopted the latest stuff yet.

 

 
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