Wikipedia talk:Sound help

Who's got a Mac ? User:Ericd

A great start Eric. I'm going to play devil's advocate here, and pretend that I'm a know-nothing user - which is easy for me ;)

I followed the link to download the codec no problem. Assuming that I'm a know-nothing user who isn't a complete fool, I double clicked on the result, and it unpacked itself into what seemed like appropriate folders on this Win2K box.

Went back to V1 Flying Bomb and clicked on the "play this sound link" again, but my system still doesn't know what to do with the .ogg. Now what?

(Yes, sure, I could hit Google and find this stuff out for myself, but I'm pretending to be a know-nothing random Wikipedia visitor.) Tannin

I have the same problem the DirectShow Codec doesn't play streams you have to save the file. Ericd 16:47 Apr 11, 2003 (UTC)


 * That worked for me too, but needed a little fiddling with the "adanced" tab in the save dialogue. I imagine that if you have all the auto-update crap ... er ... stuff switched on it isn't an issue. But who trusts Microsoft? Tannin

This is a helpful page, but I'm wary about uploading the executables to Wikipedia. There's trouble to be had if we get into the business of "endorsing" executable code that could be uploaded by anyone. Why not just link directly to the program? -- Stephen Gilbert

If we allow uploading executables, we could create a very section which explains computer code. Susan Mason


 * Good point, Stephen. It is an open invitation for some passer-by with a grudge to upload a "newer version" which is actually the old version + virus. (Or any of several nasty variations on that theme.) Bad for users, bad for Wikipedia's reputation too.


 * And yet, we certainly should make it as easy as possible to play Wikipedia sound files. Two solutions occur to me: (a) simply link to an off-site source (which needs to be trusted, permanent, and as direct a link as possible), or (b) host the files ourselves but have them protected so that only sysops (or some other trusted group of people) can alter them. The first option sounds like the better one to me, but wider discussion might be a good idea.

'''Ay! Wikipedia is NOT NOT NOT suitable for hosting executable program downloads! I'm deleting these immediately. Do not put them back. Any code uploaded here is inherently un-trustable.''' --Brion 07:48 Apr 13, 2003 (UTC)

Sorry, that was a bad idea. Ericd 10:20 Apr 13, 2003 (UTC)

Slashdot style morals aside, is it practical to upload an Ogg audio clip at the moment and expect the typical visitor to be able to play it? Can Windows Media Player decompress them? CGS 07:11 6 Jun 2003 (UTC).


 * Don't dismiss "Slashdot style morals" - we're an open content encyclopedia: these things are important, and I ponder the existence of compatibilities between the GFDL and, say, MP3. Winamp supports ogg as standard, though I don't know about media player... Martin


 * Well, I'm using MP3 for my BBC Pips - if it can't be played on a clean Windows installation, I don't think we should use it, as horrible as that sounds. CGS 09:52 6 Jun 2003 (UTC).


 * It would be good if you uploaded an OGG version as well. If/when someone decides to enforce the MP3 patents then we'll have something to fall back on. Martin

Adding sound files
I'd like to upload some of my music, so that it can be used as examples of styles like ambient and techno. I licensed it under the Free Art license, so that will be no problem. (And if it would be a problem, I don't mind to pick another license.) But I guess it's not a good idea to upload very large files. Are there any guidelines for this? Like, using specific quality settings, or make sure the file size is not bigger than a certain size. I could also take an excerpt of the piece and link to the complete piece. Guaka 02:36, 10 Aug 2003 (UTC)


 * The upload system currently rejects any file larger than 2 megabytes. Anything approaching or exceeding that size should at present be hosted offsite. --Brion 04:12, 10 Aug 2003 (UTC)


 * So I presume that it is okay to upload <2 MB files? The [[media:Guaka-GTRSHV-23kbps.ogg|thingy]] I just uploaded is 1.6 MB. Is that okay, or is it a case of 'approaching that size'?

Guaka 21:30, 10 Aug 2003 (UTC)


 * You should also license them under the GNU FDL if submitting to Wikipedia or put the samples into the public domain (the entire song is not necessary unless you want to upload the entire piece). (You can license under both licenses such that the licensee must choose one license disjunctively if you wish.)  Daniel Quinlan 04:27, Aug 10, 2003 (UTC)


 * Ok. Well, I prefer the entire piece. So I added the GFDL. But I wonder what this exactly means for musical pieces. Wouldn't it be better to simply allow other copylefted or free licenses?

Guaka 21:30, 10 Aug 2003 (UTC)


 * It's legal - it's never simple. Martin


 * please think of the average reader of Wikipedia. Most people do not have broadband. A short sample that can be quickly downloaded is best -- Tarquin 12:58, 12 Aug 2003 (UTC)


 * Upload both - a short sample, and a full version. Also, upload versions encoded at different data rates. Martin

Hey folks, I don't see any reason to put up any of my music, but if I did find an excuse in the future, I would prefer to put up my stuff under a Creative Commons license, since it seems that the GFDL isn't really intended for stuff like music. It seems that the Attribution-ShareAlike license is closest in spirit and intent to the GFDL (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/1.0/), would that be an acceptable substitute? --Nelson 18:14, 12 Aug 2003 (UTC)


 * If you do decide to do this, please make very clear what the situation is on the image description page. The same applies to fair use sound, etc. Martin 19:12, 14 Aug 2003 (UTC)

Other sounds
Are sound formats other than Vorbis prohibited, or just frowned upon? What should be done when others upload .wma, .mp3, etc.? --TMC1221 20:30, Nov 8, 2003 (UTC)

Replaced by Wikipedia:Sound
As per the discussion on Wikipedia_talk:Sound_and_Wikipedia, and since there was no dissent after letting sit on the request for comment page, have created a new page: Sound that redefines the Wikipedia sound policy.

Moved the bulk of the content for this page to Ogg Vorbis help

--Zarni02 09:41, 16 Jul 2004 (UTC)