Quoted:
1) small 2) easy to use for 1st timer 5) can take a beating
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I've been skiing and running with a
Memorex MMP 3731since Xmas. Working great.
Don't install the bullshit software that comes with your MP3 player. Just plug it in the USB port and it should come up as a "mass storage device" (i.e. a flash drive or external hard drive). Select a bunch of MP3's and drag them to the new drive and Windows copies them to the player. Can't get easier than that.
Quoted: 3) can rip CD's 4) can download music from the net
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That depends on the software you install on your PC. I use
GRIP for ripping, but it's a linux-only thing. Found this
free ripper on Sourceforge. Looks promising.
I'm wary of using ITunes because they use AAC encoding and you have to convert to MP3. Napster uses a propritary format which requires you to use a compatable player. And they both require registration, monthly fees, and installing bullshit software. Sorry. I don't register my guns and I don't install crappy software on my computers. I've got enough CD's to keep my runs entertaining, thank you.
Quoted: 6) cheap, 50-80 bucks
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Keep an eye out in your local newspaper's ads. All the big-name stores mark down their MP3 players hoping to get you in the store to buy other stuff. My wife picked up my player for $75 at Target last month. The players with more memory will cost more. Rule of thumb: a single song takes 3-4 MB (you can rip at higher or lower sample rates to get better sound/smaller files). Depending on how long you run, you will need a more expensive player or tolerate repeats. My Memorex has 2 complete CD's plus a dozen individual songs on it right now, about 3 hours of music.