Ogg Vorbis

Ogg Vorbis is a powerful new audio file format. Like mp3, it allows the size of an audio file to be highly compressed, without significant loss of sound quality. Extensive information about this audio format is available at http://www.vorbis.org/. There are a variety of ways to listen to these files. The XMMS player is an Open Source audio player that supports Ogg Vorbis and runs under Linux. The Ogg Vorbis tutorial from angrycoffee.com includes instructions on how to install the Ogg Vorbis plug-in for the popular WINamp audio player.

More Magpu recordings may be made available in Ogg Vorbis format in the future.

Why you should care

The mp3 format that is currently in wide use on the Internet uses technology that is patented by Fraunhofer, one of the companies that originally developed mp3. They have announced that they will begin charging royalties to anyone who produces mp3 encoders, anyone who sells audio in mp3 format, or anyone who streams files in mp3 format. Magpu allows and encourages free copying and distribution of our live performances, and this move by Fraunhofer endangers the potential of the Internet to be used as a means for freely exchanging such recordings. For more details about the dangers of continuing to rely on an audio format that is owned by a single company, read the Ogg Vorbis Faq, especially the "Why Vorbis?" sections.

Ogg Vorbis is a totally open, free file format. Unlike mp3, no company may charge you merely for using the technology. Open Source players for Vorbis files are available. These players are "free as in beer and free as in speech." That means that you don't have to pay for them, but furthermore, that you can get the source code for them, modify it, and give the code to others without restriction. It is impossible to take this freedom away, under the distribution terms of the software.

Note that this does not mean that all files in Ogg Vorbis format are free and redistributable. The copyright holders of the audio content still have all the rights they always did. The important thing about Ogg Vorbis is that the distribution terms are controlled entirely by the copyright holders of the audio content. You will always be able to use Ogg Vorbis technology freely.

Miscellaneous Links

http://www.vorbis.org/
Ogg Vorbis headquarters.

http://www.vorbis.com/faq.psp
FAQ from vorbis.com. Includes sections on why artists, music fans, software developers, and music companies should be interested in Ogg Vorbis.

http://www.xmms.org/
XMMS, an Open Source audio player that supports Vorbis.

http://www.angrycoffee.com/tutorials/vorbis/
Ogg Vorbis tutorial from angrycoffee.com.

http://www.mp3licensing.com/royalty/index.html
Information about mp3 royalties.

http://www.opensource.org/
Information about Open Source software, and how it protects your freedom.

http://www.gnu.org/
The Free Software Foundation, some of the original pioneers of Open Source software.

http://www.eff.org/cafe/
CAFE - Campaign for Audiovisual Free Expresssion.

http://www.eff.org/cafe/sdmf.html
SDMF: Set Digital Musicians Free.