Audio | Geekwerks

Microsoft SYNC

Posted by Michael Swanberg on August 24, 2009

I seem to go through cars far too quickly. My latest is a 2010 Ford Fusion with the Microsoft SYNC system, which is a geek’s dream!

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Posted in Audio, Ford, Microsoft, SYNC, iPhone, iPodComments (1)

Beware the Rip Guide

Posted by Michael Swanberg on September 04, 2008

Okay, some time ago I posted an entry about what MP3 player to get. There was some flak about my ideas on ripping music to place on your MP3 player, so I thought I would make an attempt at the end-all-be-all rip guide.

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Posted in Audio, MP3, Zune, iPodComments (2)

DRM Woes — I Told Ya So!

Posted by Michael Swanberg on April 23, 2008

To those that said such things couldn't or wouldn't happen, here's some back up of my point.

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Posted in Apple, Audio, DRM, MP3, Microsoft, iTunesComments (28)

The 10 (+2) Commandments of Geek Gadgetry

Posted by Michael Swanberg on July 19, 2007

Over the course of my geek life, I have collected and used many gadgets. Some have been good and some have been bad. To shed light on what makes a gadget good in the eyes of a geek, I give you "The 10 Commandments of Geek Gadgetry."

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Posted in Apple, Audio, GPS, Gadget, MP3, Opinion, Software, TiVo, iPhone, iPodComments (2)

iPhone + Hardcore Geek = Buyer’s Remorse?

Posted by Michael Swanberg on July 02, 2007

Okay, I broke down and got an iPhone, against my better judgement. But I played with it at the store and it was just so slick and fun to use, I couldn't resist. But there are caveats, my friends!

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Posted in Apple, Audio, Email, Gadget, iPhone, iPodComments (14)

Please Help Them, Mr. Jobs

Posted by Michael Swanberg on May 15, 2007

Why can't anyone come up with a decent iPod interface for cars?

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Posted in Acura, Apple, Audio, Cars, Gadget, MP3, Podcast, Software, Xbox, iPodComments (2)

Geek Car

Posted by Michael Swanberg on May 11, 2007

I believe I have found my next car. The Acura RDX! And for all the geek reasons!

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Posted in Audio, Cars, GPS, Gadget, MP3, iPodComments (0)

The Death of the Music Industry

Posted by Michael Swanberg on March 28, 2007

Is the music industry dying? Is piracy killing it?

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Posted in Audio, DRM, MP3, Opinion, Zune, iPodComments (1)

What is Podcasting? (part 2)

Posted by Michael Swanberg on January 09, 2007

Okay, now that you have a good understanding of XML and RSS, it is time to discuss how these technologies are brought together to make a podcast.

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Posted in Audio, MP3, Podcast, Uncategorized, iPodComments (0)

What is Podcasting? (part 1)

Posted by Michael Swanberg on January 08, 2007

Many of you are wondering what this podcasting thing is. Here's a brief primer on what it is and how to catch the wave.

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Posted in Audio, MP3, Podcast, iPodComments (0)

What Is Wrong With iTunes?

Posted by Michael Swanberg on December 11, 2006

So, why can't we take videos we've purchased on iTunes and make DVDs?

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Posted in Audio, DRM, MP3, iPodComments (3)

What MP3 Player Should I Get?

Posted by Michael Swanberg on December 06, 2006

The first step is to determine size. In order to sound good, MP3s need to be encoded around 128kbps (kilobits per second... 128 is considered "near CD quality"). So, a standard 4 minute song is 240 seconds, which means 128x240=30720kb which is about 3,840KBytes (8 bits in a byte). Now, let's look at the 20GB model MP3 player (you can do the math to see how much the other sizes can hold). 20GB is 20,000,000,000 bytes. So, this means that 5,208 songs will fit on in 20GB. So, where'd they get the 9,900 from?

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Posted in Audio, DRM, Gadget, MP3, iPodComments (13)