IDG Books' Music Online For Dummies Connects You To New Music

Business Wire, August 31, 2000

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

FOSTER CITY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 31, 2000

With the technology of the Internet, users have access to an endless variety of music with greater speed than ever before. Considering the recent legal battles involving Napster, music fans are looking for alternate sites to access new music. In Music Online For Dummies(R) by entertainment and music journalist David Kushner, readers will find information that demystifies the technology and illuminates the industry of online music. Music Online For Dummies cuts through the maze of the Web and helps readers find the music they want quickly and easily.

According to Kushner, "The rise of music online is all about people who want to share either their love for a specific band or musical genre, or even a bit of their own music. When you enter the world of music online, you're not just tuning into software; you're entering a community." Whether the goal is to better understand the technology, to develop an appreciation for new genres and artists or to promote ones own creations, Music Online For Dummies is an excellent primer for both beginners and experienced online music users. Readers will learn about:

-- Finding and buying music online

-- Installing and running RealPlayer(R)and RealJukebox(TM)

-- Using an MP3(TM)Player

-- Getting front-row seats with online concerts

-- Storing digital music

-- Locating and listening to Internet radio stations

-- Becoming a recording star by distributing personal MP3s

-- Test-driving CDs before buying

-- Locating hard-to-find and niche music from around the globe

The book also contains a 22-page online directory of reviewed sites where readers can find up-to-date information on artists, collectibles, custom CDs, digital downloads, hard-to-find music, musical instruments, sheet music, MP3 search sites, videos, net radio, online retailers, stereo equipment and concert tickets. The included CD contains online music software for both Windows(R) and Macintosh(R) platforms.

About the Book

Music Online For Dummies(R) By David Kushner ISBN: 0-7645-0705-2 Price: $24.99

About the Author

David Kusher writes a digital music column for RollingStone.com, serves as a contributing editor for Spin magazine and writes about digital culture for publications including The New York Times and Entertainment Weekly.

About IDG Books Worldwide

IDG Books Worldwide, Inc. (Nasdaq:IDGB), headquartered in Foster City, Calif., is a leading global knowledge company with a diverse portfolio of technology, consumer and general how-to book brands, computer-based learning tools, web sites and Internet e-services. IDGB's best-selling brands include For Dummies(R), 3-D Visual(R), Bible, Cliffs Notes(TM), Frommer's(R), Betty Crocker's(R), Weight Watchers(R) and Webster's New World(TM). IDGB is also the publisher of AOL Press(TM), Hewlett-Packard Press(TM), Netscape Press(TM) and Novell Press(TM). The company has more than 4,000 active titles, plus translations in 39 languages around the world. IDGB owns the Web sites cliffsnotes.com, dummies.com and frommers.com. More information about IDGB is available from the company's SEC filings or by visiting the company Web site at www.idgbooks.com. IDGB is a subsidiary of International Data Group, Inc., the worlds leading global provider of information media, research, conferences and expositions.

Note to Editors: For Dummies is a registered trademark of IDG Books Worldwide, Inc. RealPlayer is a registered trademark and RealJukebox is a trademark of RealNetworks, Inc. MP3 is a trademark of Thomson Consumer Electronics, Inc. Windows is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Macintosh is a registered trademark of Apple Computer, Inc.