Formats and players

If you're looking for software to play the audio on this site, VLC Media Player plays both types we host (MP3 and OGG Vorbis), as well as a bunch of other video and audio file types.  It runs on Windows, Mac, and Linux, and it's free software.  Many, though not all, other popular sound and media players now play OGG Vorbis files.

We use two audio formats on this site.

• MP3 downloads.  By now, virtually everyone visiting this site will be familiar with these.
• OGG Vorbis downloads.  OGG Vorbis is a technically superior format to MP3.  These files are usually smaller, allowing for quicker downloads, for example.  It is also free software.  Yes, MP3s can generally be recorded and played free of charge, and without being sued by the company who owns the format, but this isn't the case for everyone, and supporting the adoption of free software brings traction to movements for digital rights.  For more on this, see the Free Software Foundation's page on OGG, which includes video OGG formats, as well as audio.