Appendix A. Tools and Resources

Streaming audio's popularity explosion is accompanied by a dizzying array of software. People looking to simplify the process, turn a quick buck, or merely monopolize the industry are leaping into the fray. This chapter contains some popular tools listed along with URLs. The lists start with free products, progress to affordable, and end with pricey. To gauge the correct product for your individual needs will require some deeper research on your part. To assist your research this Appendix also includes certain online resources that provide extensive lists of available software we don't have room to document. You can take control of the process and do the search yourself in your favorite search engine, too. Start out by searching on the software type ("rippers," "encoders," and so on).

NOTE

A good place to start is Download.com (www.download.com). The site has many well-organized categories for downloads of all different flavors. Some are freeware, some are shareware, and some have a set purchase price required before use.