Que Has the Author and the Book the Music Industry Doesn't Want You to Know About; Ron White and MP3 Underground Reveals the Secrets of MP3 and Other Internet Audio

Business Wire, Feb 16, 2001

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

INDIANAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 16, 2001

Despite the Feb. 12 court ruling against Napster, trading of songs online will continue -- even if Napster is shut down completely.

Ron White and Michael White's new book, MP3 Underground: The Inside guide to MP3 Music, Napster, RealJukebox, MusicMatch, and Hidden Internet Songs (Que Publishing, ISBN 0-7897-2301-8, USA-$24.99), reveals how to find and download MP3 from the thousands of secret servers not operated by Napster Inc. It also uncovers how to get around any blocks network administrators may have put on accessing Napster's servers.

"At the moment the Ninth Circuit Court was announcing its decision," said Ron White, "there were 9,100 users connected to Napster's servers. But at the same time, there were 706,000 music fans using the secret Napster servers to download songs from 156 million MP3 files available without resorting to Napster's own servers."

MP3 Underground reveals the secrets of online music that other books shy away from. This book exposes the tricks to using Napster, the hidden Napster sites, how to crack copy protection, and where to look for hard-to-find music downloads.

MP3 Underground plunges into the middle of the roaring controversy over Napster and downloading free music from the Internet. The book and CD-ROM open the clandestine world of underground music to everybody by using a non-technical explanation of MP3 software and hardware, giving everyone the same knowledge experienced MP3 users have. It explains the legal issues -- such as whether playing with MP3s can land you in jail. MP3 Underground tells how to find, download, and play MP3 songs, and how to make the best use of the notorious Napster song-swapping program. It shows how to make computer files from songs found on anything from CDs to vinyl to radio and TV.

MP3 Underground identifies the 101 best Internet music sites with detailed reviews and tips to get the most out of each site.

An accompanying CD contains the best programs for finding and downloading MP3, organizing and playing songs, ripping music from CDs, and burning your own musical CDs. Featured on the CD are RealPlayer, Real Jukebox, MusicMatch Jukebox, Napigator, MP3 Fiend, Go!zilla, Cute-FTP, and sound editors and converters. MP3 Underground not only provides the best software, it tells how best to use the software to download and play music quickly and easily.

Updated site reviews and links to the 101 top sites, and the latest version of software found on the CD, plus the most recent version of Napster, may be found at the book's Web site, www.MP3Under.com.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Ron White is the author of the million-copy, best-selling How Computers Work, winner of best non-fiction computer book award presented by the Computer Press Association. He is the former executive editor of PC Computing and is now a senior editor at Ziff-Davis Smart Business, where he has written columns on topics including the Internet, shareware and CD-ROMs.

Michael White, Ron's son, is a professional musician who has played with Boston-based band Chronic Jones and others. He has written the 101 reviews of the top Internet audio sites.

ABOUT QUE PUBLISHING

Que Publishing is an imprint of Pearson Technology Group, the world's largest provider of consumer and professional computer, information technology, engineering and reference content. As one of the industry's leading innovators in both print and digital formats, a few of PTG's imprints include Sams Publishing, BradyGAMES Strategy Guides, Que Learning Systems, Macmillan Software, and Macmillan Lifestyle, publisher of the best-selling Complete Idiot's Guide line of reference books. Pearson Technology Group is an operating unit of Pearson Education, the world's leading education and professional publisher.

PRODUCT INFORMATION

MP3 Underground

Ron White and Michael White

MSRP $24.99 US

ISBN 0-7897-2301-8

288 pg.

SALES INFORMATION

Que Publishing

201 W. 103rd Street

Indianapolis, IN 46290

1-800-428-5331

For the latest news and information about Que and Macmillan USA, or to order book/software products online, visit us at http:/www.quepublishing.com.

MEDIA ONLY: To order review copies, email amy.sorokas@pearsoned.com