Replacements for Media Player In 1996 when Microsoft realized that it was missing out on the Web phenomenon, the company came up with Internet Explorer and tied the product to Windows in order to make up for the delay. Similarly, Microsoft also missed out on the Internet audio revolution and had to compensate for that by creating Windows Media Player and bundling it to the operating system as well. Unfortunately for end users, WMP has other things in common with Explorer that are less beneficial, such as lax security, broken standards, and hidden elements that invade your privacy. Microsoft is also courting the music industry and wants it to make Windows Media the default file format for all Internet video and music. To get the industry to adopt its format, Microsoft included controls that reduce your control over music files - even the ones made from CDs that belong to you. Microsoft also reduced the MP3 capabilities of MediaPlayer for the same reason. The same RIAA that shut down Napster and is trying to destroy streaming radio is pulling the strings of what Windows Media Player can and cannot do. That alone is reason enough to avoid using it, Microsoft notwithstanding. AudionPanic Software LICENSE: Commercial REVIEWS: Macworld, MP3.com MORE INFO: Official Audion Site   AlsaPlayerAndy Lo-A-Foe LICENSE: Open Source MORE INFO: Official AlsaPlayer Site, freshmeat.net   BSPlay LICENSE: Freeware MORE INFO: Official BSplay Site   Global DiVX PlayerWolfs Lair LICENSE: Freeware REVIEWS: Download.com MORE INFO: Official GDiVX Site   iTunesApple Computer LICENSE: Freeware REVIEWS: MacWorld, MP3.com, TechTV, ZDNet MORE INFO: Official iTunes Site   Liquid PlayerLiquid Audio LICENSE: Freeware MORE INFO: Official Liquid Player Site   Media WizardCDH Productions LICENSE: Shareware REVIEWS: About.com, IT Pro Downloads MORE INFO: Official Media Wizard Site   MPlayer LICENSE: Open Source MORE INFO: Official MPlayer Site   MPXPlayPDSoft LICENSE: Freeware REVIEWS: MP3.com MORE INFO: Official MPXPlay Site   MusicMatch Jukebox PlusMusicMatch LICENSE: Commercial REVIEWS: CNET, MP3.com MORE INFO: Official MusicMatch Site Buy for MacBuy for Windows   QuickTime PlayerApple Computer LICENSE: Freeware REVIEWS: MacWorld, MP3.com, PC Magazine MORE INFO: Official QT Player Site   RadLight Video PlayerRadLight LICENSE: Commercial/Adware MORE INFO: Official RadLight Site Download adware versionBuy ad-free version   RealPlayer BasicRealNetworks LICENSE: Freeware REVIEWS: Download.com, MP3.com, PC World MORE INFO: Official RealPlayer Site   UltraPlayerUltraCo LICENSE: Freeware REVIEWS: Download.com, MP3.com, Tucows MORE INFO: Official UltraPlayer Site   WinAmpNullsoft LICENSE: Freeware REVIEWS: Epinions.com, MP3.com, Tucows, ZDNet MORE INFO: Official WinAmp Site   xineGünter Bartsch LICENSE: Open Source MORE INFO: SourceForge, Debian.org   X MultiMedia System (XMMS)4Front Tech LICENSE: Open Source REVIEWS: Linux NetMag, MP3.com, Tucows MORE INFO: Official XMMS Site   xtunestex9 LICENSE: Open Source MORE INFO: Official xtunes Site, SourceForge   Zinf Audio Player (fmr. FreeAmp) LICENSE: Open Source REVIEWS: Linux.com MORE INFO: Official Zinf Site

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