Converting DVDs to 700mb .avi and .mpg files

Almost every day I get a question from a friend or a relative asking how they can rip a DVD to a CD. Usually, I tell that if they can't figure it out themselves, you shouldn't be doing it. But a few weeks ago, I decided to finally make a guide using the method I used then. Now you can simply use Handbrake, but then it was much more difficult.
This is my guide
DVD>1.4 GB File> 700MB File

or simply use Handbrake
Handbrake


Also, I would like to open up my site to submissions through e-mail. Worthwhile submissions will receive $5 Paypal each. Don't bother stealing content though.

The Best Ways to Get Hard-to-Find Music Albums

Throughout my time on the Internet, I have had trouble finding good ways to find the music I want to hear. Specifically, not so common albums from not so common bands. In the last 5 years, I've got it down. I can find almost any album and get it in less than a day. My first choice is always to purchase it from a store, however living in a small town, it can sometimes be very difficult to find rare albums. In fact, the closest record store is a place called Headstone Records, which is the one and only place to get New Release Vinyls. Other than that, music stores are impossible to find.
So, here it is.

1. My personal favorite is a private music torrent tracker called Oink.me.uk. It is by far, and without question the best music tracker I've ever come across. Because of this, it is near impossible to get an invites. If you would like one, I currently have a few, and can possibly "hook you up." However, let me warn you, it is not a leecher friendly place. Keeping a decent ratio is not as easy as just leaving your torrenting application open. In fact, I have had to upload 5 albums just to stay at a 1.00 ratio.
OiNK (Appears to be having network problems)
Slyck's BitTorrent Guide

2. The second choice is to scour public FTP servers. Search Warez sites like Wtalk, Needz.org, and the like to find nice ones. If your target album is a more well-known artist, you can probably find it on one of the FTP servers listed here.
Filesearch.ru Top 100 FTP servers

3. Another possible choice is to search on Warez forums. Often, they have "scene" releases of albums. Wtalk has a fantastic audio library. The downside is that most of these albums are hosted on Rapidshare.com, and without a premium account, this can be a hassle.

4. My final choice is to use your ISP's newsgroups. This is by far the fastest, but unless you are willing to pay for bandwith, you cannot get more than a few gigs a month. Adelphia SoCal and Time Warner both offer 1 gigabyte per month. Slyck.com has a great tutorial for getting started with newsgroups. On Adelphia's servers, most underground albums were in alt.bin.music, but its likely there were other places.
Slyck's Newsgroup Guide

Well, that's my final list. I have found every album I have ever honestly wanted from these places. Remember to support the artist if you like the CD. I'm personally a big opponent of DRM and business practices of the record companies. Thus, I have found that many bands have a website with a Paypal "Donate Now" button. This is a fantastic way to skip the middle-man and go straight to the artist.

Also, you may have noticed that I didn't list Kazaa or Limewire. I have found that P2P networks are among the most dangerous places on the Internet. You can find some unusual things there, and it has the highest probability of downloading a virus. If you must use P2P, I recommend Overnet/Edonkey2000, as I appreciate the file download verification with my status as a computer hypochondriac. But heed my warning, avoid P2P networks if at all possible.

Hi there, at this blog I will be focusing on underground and local music from the Inland Empire and the sort. I will also add random movie criticisms, and other such random things.