Stupid software failures

[muck_a_luck]

So. Musicmatch Jukebox, which I used to use to rip and copy music, went belly up a while back. I couldn't install a new version of the same software, can't remember why. Maybe it doesn't exist anymore.

So, we thought we would use *gasp* Microsoft Media Player for the same purpose. Well, I was trying to use it tonight for the first time, and as soon as I set it to rip in .mp3 format, it told me it could not rip one or more songs on the disk and crapped out.

First, is the Media Player problem solvable. I'd rather not junk up my computer with any more media software than necessary because I have this horrible feeling that it is all spying on me. It is too fucking smart, it's got to be accessing the internet to pick up the cover art and all the song titles. Maybe not. I dunno. Anyway, the media software sets off all my black helicopter paranoia. So if I can get what I already live with to work, that's my first preference.

Assuming that Media Player is not going to work, how do people feel about I-Tunes? My brother lives by it, as does a good friend of mine, but they are both Mac users. Plus, there's something about the I-Pod empire that really pisses me off. Not to mention... *points up to black helicopter comment*

Does anybody have any other favorite software?

You should know that I'm allllll about file compression. I was delighted when I put 11 Rolling Stones albums onto on disc. And I really do not want to be locked into the .wma format. *spits on .wma format*

Any help or advice will be very, very appreciated.

Comments

[zats-clear.livejournal.com]

I can be of no help...just had to share how much I enjoyed this

...because I have this horrible feeling that it is all spying on me.

I knew I liked you!

[muck-a-luck.livejournal.com]

You do know I annoy commuters every morning by refusing to get a SmartTag for my car. I've been driving up and down the toll road five days a week for almost five years now... :D

[zats-clear.livejournal.com]

not that it applies to you, but I heard on the radio the other day that those SmartTags and EZ Passes are being used more and more to prove spouses are straying...

the old adage, "just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you" holds up.

[muck-a-luck.livejournal.com]

*snorts* I work for a divorce lawyer, dude. While that has never been done by one of our clients, the thought has occurred.

[alpha-strike.livejournal.com]

I use to like my transponder. I felt good about it because it belonged to someone else, and there was no way to associate it with my vehicle. But reasons cited throughout this thread explain why I will never own a car that's got a Lojack installed. While I'm innocent of any crime (honest!), I see no reason to give the police a tool to find my car any time they feel the urge.

[seleneheart]

I love iTunes.

[lise-ann.livejournal.com]

I use a free ware program called CDex.exe I've never had any problems with it. Then once it's done burning, you just need to move the music files to your normal library folder (CDex creates it's own folder)