HELP & FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (F.A.Q.):

What is a digital audio file? (Back to Top)
A digital audio file is a file that you can download and play on your computer. It's usually music, but can be any type of audio.

What is a WMA file? (Back to Top)
WMA stands for Microsoft's "Windows Media Audio" file format. The WMA format can be played using Windows Media Player, AOL Player, Winamp, Real Jukebox, RealOne, and MusicMatch Jukebox. WMA can also be played on certain portable devices.

What is a Media Player? (Back to Top)
Media players are programs used to play digital music stored on the computer, accessed online, or on a CD. Windows Media Player, for example, comes with Windows 98, 2000, ME, and XP. There are other players available that can be downloaded for free such as the RealOne Player, MusicMatch Jukebox, and Winamp.

Where should I save the downloaded music? (Back to Top)
Most computers default to a certain folder automatically -- usually to a folder called "My Music" within the main "My Documents" folder on the hard drive. AOL users default to "My Downloads" within their AOL folders. You can always tell your computer where you want to save your files by opening your player of choice, and configuring the destination folder or location from the top menu of options.

Important note: If you have not designated a folder of choice for your downloads yet, and you are using your default Windows Media Player, the player may download the file to your Temporary folder. If this happens, the file will be named with an odd numeric name while inside that folder, and you will have to move it out of the Temporary folder in order for it’s right name to display again. Here’s how to do this:

1. In Windows XP (other versions of Windows may use a different path for this file), go to: C:\Documents and Settings\Your Name\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files
2. Sort the folder by the file type column by clicking on the “type” column header. Next, scroll down to file type Windows Media Audio. When you find Windows Media Audio files, look at their “date Modified” column for the latest files modified. The latest one would be your latest download.
3. Highlight the file, and drag it with your mouse out of the Temporary folder onto your desktop. You will notice that the file name, if previously shown as scrambled numbers, now changes to the name of the song you downloaded.
4. Last, you’d want to drag it into your folder of choice for future use. We recommend you use your computer’s default My Music or My Downloads folders. In XP, the path for your My Music folder is C:\Documents and Settings\Your Name\My Documents\My Music.

To prevent your downloads from going to the Temporary folder again, when you start the download process at the “Save” prompt, make sure to select the My Music folder specified above as your designated download folder, and check the box (if offered) for Windows to always download WMA files to that folder.

What is a license? (Back to Top)
All music is copyrighted. When you buy a CD, part of your money pays for a license. When you download free legal music on the Internet you need to get a "free" license. Secure ("encrypted") music needs that license to play. The license is a small file that is downloaded to your computer. If you have two different players on your computer and you try to play the file on both players, you may need to obtain two unique licenses for the same file, so make sure you are online when you open the song with that second player.

The license for redeemed music is usually delivered behind the scenes as a silent license. The license carries usage rules information such as your right to make copies to CD and or transport to portable devices. In the case of promotional files, we sometimes display the license to communicate certain information to you such as promo expiration dates. Promotional files often restrict your burning and transfer rights.

Does the license travel with the audio file? (Back to Top)
Usually, no. Typically, if you move the file to another computer, you'll have to get a new license. However, note that redeemed songs are allowed to be played on several computers, which means that you will be able to obtain a secondary license for a moved file.

Are there territorial restrictions? (Back to Top)
Usually, yes. Many songs have territorial restrictions that will prevent people outside the U.S. from downloading the music and/or obtaining a license to it.