My honeymoon is scheduled for the week of October 27 in Montreal.  I’m pulling for Wings at Habs that week.  My fiancee, I’m sure, is dying to catch a Wings game at some point during our honeymoon.

its most historic rivalry

Hmmm, guess he’s never heard of Montreal-Toronto, Montreal-Boston, Detroit-Toronto, Boston-New York, even Calgary-Edmonton...some fans might disagree.

Of course, if this was Tampa Bay-Florida, he would probably have used the same line.  Gary. Ass.

What are the chances of us getting tickets to the Wrigley Field game?

hmm…

(i don’t really have anything else to say)

chicago in winter...that’ll be fun

Hmmm, guess he’s never heard of Montreal-Toronto,

Not that I -want- to defend Gary (ass) but the article notes no other teams have played each other more in the regular season than the Wings/Hawks. So he may just be going by raw numbers.

Excuse me, I feel dirty now and must go shower.

What are the chances of us getting tickets to the Wrigley Field game?

I’ve been wondering the same thing. I’ve got a buddy who is a season ticket holder for the Pens, and the was the only way he was able to score tickets to the Pens-Sabres game. Is there anyone in Chicago that can shed more light on this?

I think it’d be a great gesture for Chief to sell his new boat and get us all tickets to the game.

Here’s to hoping Patrick Kane’s sisters are there, with their nipples proudly poking through their shirts.

@Steve J

Sorry, I didn’t read the actual article, but obviously “most meetings” doesn’t necessarily equal “most historic.” Maybe I’m just being grammatically anal-retentive.  And I suppose you could give Gary (ass) the benefit of the doubt, but honestly, why??

I’m thinking the Blackhawks season ticket base isn’t all that huge.  They’re starting to make a small comeback in popularity since Dollar Bill Wirtz kicked it, but there’s still a ways to go before they reach the level of the Bulls.  Plus, with roughly 40,000 seats to fill (almost twice the capacity of the rarely-sold-out United Center), tickets might not be that hard to come by.  Still, I’m pouncing as soon as they go on sale.

Noon on New Years Day...that might be a little rough.

Wrigley Field in January.

Cold and windy will be the forecast, probably with the words and numbers on the weather maps in that little squiggly blue font.  How often is a puck affected by wind? 

I just hope the surface and conditions are good enough to actually let the skilled players on both teams play hockey instead of it being an entertaining but poorly-played exhibition.

I’m missing the part where he bends the wings over.  I’m excited by this news, even though the threat of injury looms higher, and we don’t get our NYE game (which has happened a few times) ...  But i’ll trade that for the winter classic every year.

I just hope the surface and conditions are good enough to actually let the skilled players on both teams play hockey instead of it being an entertaining but poorly-played exhibition.

I would rather watch 1st graders playing broom hockey than anything the other Prof. sports have to offer.

I was not excited about the Buffalo game, but, sure I watched it.  In spite of the networks treating it as if it was a Neil Diamond concert, I saw much evidence of compromise and just a bit of hysteria. 

I just kept wondering how equipped they were to handle a Jiri Fischer incident or a random skate to the throat.

Here’s to hoping Patrick Kane’s sisters are there, with their nipples proudly poking through their shirts.

Giddy-up!

Honestly, I am excited about this game.  I am not one who minds breaking traditions, so long as they are replaced with something better.  The Winter Classic is cool...sure its not the best hockey (freezing one’s ass off doesn’t contribute to hustle)...but the U of M / MSU game they played at Spartan Stadium a few years back was really something awesome.  I suspect the Penguins/Sabres game sucked because it was the Penguins and the Sabres.

I am looking forward to driving the Chicago, scalping some tickets, and freezing my ass off with the Wings.

Best headline of the season. :D

Via Khan:

The NHL has not yet released ticket information for the Winter Classic between the Red Wings and Blackhawks, but Wings general manager Ken Holland said he has put in a request for an unspecified number of tickets to be available for Detroit fans.

“Before we signed off on the game we wanted to make sure we’d have some tickets available,’’ Holland said. “We’ve been assured (Red Wings fans) will have access to buy some tickets. We’ve given the league a fairly substantial number (ticket request).’’

There will be no traditional New Year’s Eve game next season, but the Wings will host Chicago on Dec. 30.

being a STH for the Pens didn’t help in getting tickets to the Winter Classic. I was lucky enough to grab 6 via ticketwhore before they sold out in like 5 minutes....A lot of the seats were already gone to BUF Sabres and BUF Bills STH...so I’m sure the CHI Cubs STH will get some part of the action before the ‘general public’ gets theirs.  Plus, I’m not sure of the seating capacity...but, it’s probably going to be less than Ralph Wilson Stadium, making it even harder to get a ducket.

Good Luck to yinz scoring a ticket or two!!!!...If you get a chance to go, it’s an event you’ll never forget!

I’m missing the part where he bends the wings over.  I’m excited by this news, even though the threat of injury looms higher, and we don’t get our NYE game (which has happened a few times) ...  But i’ll trade that for the winter classic every year.

I second that.  I guess I just don’t understand the perception that we’ve somehow been screwed.  At least we don’t have to start our season in Prague, like New York and Tampa Bay.

Last year’s outdoor game was one of the highest rated of the season.  This is good for hockey.  I’m glad to see the Wings represented and I’ll be there laughing at all of the bitter ‘Hawks fans and their “DEEEETROIT SUCKS!” nonsense.

I guess I just don’t understand the perception that we’ve somehow been screwed.

Probably because there is no telling how long it will be before Detroit gets to host an outdoor game.  It could be a while because there is always some hot new team on the rise, or it will be “you guys played in one recently, let someoen else have a chance,” or something else.

Maybe even mostly reflex.

Here’s to hoping Patrick Kane’s sisters are there, with their nipples proudly poking through their shirts.

Posted by rwingscup19 from Dallas on 07/16 at 12:51 PM

Whew!  A couple of threads back I thought I had become the most degenerate among The 19 by posting covert photos of an unsuspecting dance instructor’s cleavage.  I salute you, sir!

I thought I had become the most degenerate among The 19 by posting covert photos of an unsuspecting dance instructor’s cleavage.

Also because of sh1t like this.

Who is Mike Babcock’s new assistant coach?

She’s sitting on the boat above.

She’s sitting on the boat above.

Man, the power play will be absolutely MAGICAL this year.

Man, the power play will be absolutely MAGICAL this year.

I don’t get it…

Yes, we will CLEAVE through opposition teams despite the AGE of our veteran captain.

I feel sad now…

I really hate Dwayne’s site ,but the The Dallas Drake Celebration Video with him and his Family is cool.  Dallas and His family are as good as they come.  I know them from the local hockey association.
check out the video on Dwayne site.(e4)

CALLING CHIEF AND ALL YOU BITCHES IN THE MID ATLANTIC:

IT IS SO ON, BITCHES!  IT IS PUT UP OR SHUT UP TIME, BITCHES!

SATURDAY JAN 31 NOON:30 !  FIRST TIME IN DC IN 3 YEARS! (THANKS GARY.ASS)

Tickets not on sale yet but that’s no excuse.  I expect this site to be the focal point for Hot January East Coast Red Wings action.  Get tickets early and sell half of them on ebay to rich UM and MSU Alumni working in overpaid DC PACs who won’t think of getting their tickets ahead of time.  This is the opportunity for a mid-Atlantic A2Y Get-Together of Epic Proportions.  If you live east of the Mississippi I expect you to be there.  There’s nothing like the nation’s Capital on a mid-winter weekend - no leaves on the trees, no sun in the sky, and no Fuc8ing tourists on the Mall!  Out-Fuching Standing! And it will be dark or snowing by 3:00 when the game is over.  Then dismiss and regroup at the Capital’s best known Red Wing Gathering Hole: Bugsy’s in Olde Towne Alexandria for Pizza and Beer, or crash Chief’s hockeychic wife’s home, or go cruising the Potomac on the Chief’s brand new “Douche Canoe” in the dead of winter. Awesome!

Plan now, jump on ticketmaster as soon as tickets go on sale.

DID I MENTION IT WAS PUT UP OR SHUT UP TIME, BITCHES?

Bugsy’s:  A hole in the wall for Northern Virginia’s home to Red Wings fans.

http://www.yelp.com/biz/bugsys-pizza-restaurant-and-sports-bar-alexandria

http://www.bugsyspizza.com/

From Geroge:

http://blog.mlive.com/snapshots/2008/07/games_of_note_from_a_team_that.html

The Wings have a remarkable 16 sets of back-to-back games--that’s 32 games, or 39% of the schedule, played at a frenetic pace

I’m taking bets on a Hossa injury...pick a day, any day, and we’re FU#$#%#

The Wings have a remarkable 16 sets of back-to-back games--that’s 32 games, or 39% of the schedule, played at a frenetic pace

Awful.  Just f*(king awful.  39% of the Wings’ schedule.

I really think the excessive number of pre-season games should just be reduced to 4-6 games MAX.

Thanks, Gary.Ass.

I hope Babcock simply gives his starters one or the other of those b2b days off.  Let the rookies play. 

Maybe they do not win the President’s Trophy, but they will be relatively healthy for the playoffs.

That’s at least 16 games where Chelios will be cranky because he isn’t playing. 

And

16 probable starts for the Conk.

more crap Gary.ass. Last season Nashville had a very large number of home games which were the visitors second of back to back games, part of gary.ass goal of propping up the Nashville franchise.

I would like to see an analysis of other teams’ back to back games. It seems to me that 40 pct as part of back to back is high.

“This is the opportunity for a mid-Atlantic A2Y Get-Together of Epic Proportions.”

Hey RWBill, might I suggest an “11 Cups” license plate vehicle parade to the venue? You have the Va. plate, and I have the N.C. version. If there were enough of us, we could hang out the windows and behave like Detroit fans are expected to behave in these parts (badly). Wouldn’t miss it for the world. Any interest in pursuing a group ticket purchase for the 19?

They’re playing the CandyCanes in Raleigh 3rd game of the season (first time in 3 years), so I’m pretty stoked. Red Wings 7 minutes from work!! You coming down for that one?

Has anyone checked out Christy’s latest post at BTJ?

http://www.behindthejersey.com/2008/07/18/kneed-4-relief-a-fundraising-campaign/

She needs some help and we should all chip in. I made a small donation, cause I’m a broke a$$ student, but I’m going to check back with her periodically.

All 19 of us should be able to do something.

You coming down for that one?

Posted by dougie on 07/18 at 07:11 PM

I did see that on the schedule and started considering it.  But it’s a Monday night game.  Will take about 3+ hours to get home.  I think after the Stanley Cup Game 3 I got back around 5 a.m. from Raleigh.  Of course, that one went til after 1 a.m. and 3 OTs!

I’ll keep thinking about it, would probably have to take Monday PM off work, which would be a real shame!

PecaFan at Hfboards did a great analysis of the entire schedule broken down by team.

Link to schedule stats here

He has broken down the schedule by kilometers—Canadian miles —travelled including change from last year.  Back to back games, 3 games in 4 days, and longest road/home stands.

Detroit ends up in the middle of the pack for most categories, so we really shouldn’t bitch that much.  When you look at how much travelling we’ve done in past seasons, this year (and last) are a nice balance.

Thanks VooX.  That’s incredible information.  Odd that out of the same Division, Columbus will lead the lead in back to backs with 20 while Nashville only has 13. Colorado only 8 back to backs. 

Also noteworthy Colorado on the low end of the stick (shaft?) for back to back and 3in4s, way, way below what most teams are inflicted with on both counts.  Colorado should pick up 6 or 8 points due to scheduling alone.

Wings in middle/top half of back to backs, top 1/3 in 3in4s.

The increase in travel is not as bad as I thought it would be, from 1.75 to 1.94 million kms.

2007 playoffs the Wings traveled through 27 time zones in 3 rounds, like going around the world, way more than any other team, while of course no Eastern Conf team traveled out of their own time zone until the Finals.  That will continue to wear down whatever Western Conf team makes it through to the Finals but doesn’t seem to have hurt the success the Western Conf has had in the Finals.

Detroit was much luckier with playoff travel this year, no west coast trips.

Has anyone checked out Christy’s latest post at BTJ?

Yep, noticed that too and made a donation.

I’ve been reading about what she’s been going through for quite awhile now...she’s too young and seems to be too nice a girl to not help out. Personally I think it would be awesome for the Wings blogging community and readers to really come through for her.

That’s my hope too Gabe

I saw that too.  Chipped in my bucks to help.

My sister had to have knee surgery a few years ago - it’s only a matter of time before the other one needs work, too.  She figures she’ll be okay as long as it doesn’t blow before she finishes her PhD and gets a job with some benefits.

I can’t even imagine having nine surgeries.

I can’t even imagine having nine surgeries.

Before 21 too. That’s ridiculous.

Strong woman...therfore scary and threatening. F#$k donating, let’s get her locked up before this “women persevering” thing gets out of hand. Knowing women, it’s probably contagious and spreads through idle chatter about the domestic sphere. 

Strong woman...therfore scary and threatening.

Scary? Haven’t you seen her picture?  She looks every bit as non-threatening as I do.

Then again, the vorpal bunny looked pretty harmless, too - and look at the bones!

B, you’ve just given me a new nickname for all Females and the insanity they represent.

From: http://www.vorpalbunny.com/personal/vbfaq.html

Q4 [WHAT DO I DO IF SOMEONE ASKS ME, “WHAT’S A VORPAL BUNNY?"]

Tell them that “Vorpal Bunny is a mysterious and powerful galactic force. Simply talking about what a Vorpal Bunny is will instantly cause planets and galaxies to explode.”

If they keep bugging you, tell them about the fan club, and how they can join. If they won’t leave you alone, hit them a couple times. If they’re bigger than you, remember their names and faces, find out where they live, and then think really nast thoughts about them. You can also stick your tongue out at them. I encourage people to sacrifice themselves in my name. I’ll think kindly of you, that’s the kind of guy I am.

now we know where Chief is posting

It’s not a powerful galactic force - it’s the little white rabbit that guarded the cave in the Monty Python movie with the Holy Grail!

Cute and innocent and harmless looking - but anyone who got too close had the bunny at his throat.

(In RPGs the word “vorpal” is often used to describe a weapon that will behead an opponent.)

(And RPG isn’t rocket propelled grenade, before anyone asks.  It’s shorthand for role playing game.)

So RPGs become vorpal RPGs in RPGs…

Main Entry: vorpal
Part of Speech: adj
Definition: deadly
Etymology: created by Lewis Carroll to describe a sword

It’s shorthand for role playing game.

Posted by Baroque from Michigan on 07/20 at 01:30 PM

Baroque, I didn’t know you were into that.  You become even more intriguing. 

< imagination goes off the charts >

Scary? Haven’t you seen her picture?  She looks every bit as non-threatening as I do.

And that, gentlemen, is how they lure you in. I’m sure to other spiders the female Black Widow is freakin adorable.

“I ain’t sayin she’ a GoldDigger,
but she ain’t playin’ with no Baroque, Baroque”

Thanks to Kanye West.

I smell a restraining order being contemplated…

Anyway, if any of the Magnificent 19 are into extreme dorkiness AND RPGs, the follow the link below to play “Holy Wars,” an online Christians/Crusaders vs. Islamists/Pagans.

http://www.holy-war.de/EN/World2/bin/?advertiser=121009

It’s free and highly addictive.

You can even join out goofy little “order.”

I should probably step out and get some sun…

I haven’t gamed for many, many years (donated all my rulebooks to charity, but kept all of my 100+ dice for sentimental reasons), but when I moved out to Baltimore for a job after college I got into it a little bit - just for a few years.

My groups didn’t do too much AD&D;(although I did have a minotaur matador character that was fun) without a lot of modification of the rules to make it more versatile, a lot of Shadowrun and Deadlands, some of the White Wolf system (Vampire, Werewolf, etc).  I don’t even have a clue what kind of things are on the market nowadays. 

I never got into the computer stuff, or LARPing (live action role-playing), although I’d help friends out with props or being an extra if they needed one more body.

But yeah, I’m even more of a loser nerd than you realized.  Didn’t mean to let that slip out. 

On an entirely different note ...

*attempts to change subject from gaming*

I’m planning on buying an MP3 player, since I am probably attending a five-day conference this November, and since it will be about a 10-hour drive each way I want to take my tunes with me.

So, any advice?  I need something that will hold about 200 CDs, I’d like a good FM radio as well, but don’t care at all about video capability.  Brands you like, brands you hate - I’m not interested in spending $300 but I’m not looking for something dragged from the dregs in the bottom of the barrel either.

Wow, who knew so many nerds were hockey fans. Count me among them.

Baroque, I’d suggest one from Creative Labs. A few of my friends have also had various Creative players and have been satisfied with them. I had a Zen Sleek (2gb, monochrome screen by choice, but discontinued) for several years until recent water damage to my apartment knocked it out.

Cause of that, I’ve been researching a new one myself lately, and am considering a 16 or 32 GB Zen (credit card size, flash based memory, expandable SD card slot, clear color screen, compatible with all common music software and online services - which is why you won’t find them at Bes Buy)

I’ve used ipods, and I simply don’t like them. Overpriced, undersized, and to much proprietary issues just turn me off. I’m not a fan of their menu system either. They’ve got the aesthetics thing goin, but many other players are also pretty.

From what I understand, the Zune from Microsoft is turning into a formidable competitor as well. It just hasn’t snagged the market share yet, and has to get past the MS branding.

Also, here’s a site to help ya out.
http://www.anythingbutipod.com/

For the sake of being sorta on topic, anyone know if Ericsson has signed his contract that was rumored yet?

P.S. Baroque,

The Creative players generally have an FM radio as well, not sure about the Zune. I know most ipods dont.

Listen to Nate, Baroque. Don’t listen to me because I’m a die hard Apple fan (via my bro) and have happily owned 3 iPods.

...however…

caveat emptor

Wow, who knew so many nerds were hockey fans. Count me among them.

Sigh...yeah, me too.  While I haven’t played an RPG since I was fourteen, I still work in IT, computer geekery and all its trappings.  I’d rather be a Designated Coffee Taster, but that just doesn’t pay the bills.

It’s not a powerful galactic force - it’s the little white rabbit that guarded the cave in the Monty Python movie with the Holy Grail!

If it’s any consolation Baroque, I knew what you meant.  “Death waits!  With tiny sharp teeth!  Look at him!  He’s a killer!”

“He’s a bloody rabbit, you manky Scots git!”

But I’d never heard the term “Vorpal Rabbit.” I didn’t realize the term existed outside “Jabberwocky.”

an online Christians/Crusaders vs. Islamists/Pagans.

Wow.  Online, there really is nothing sacriligeous.  Just don’t let Osama and his buddies hear about it.

I did have a minotaur matador character that was fun

Heh.  Talk about a split personality.  Did you just go chasing yourself around?

So, any advice?

Ah, now we’re back to talking my language.  Computer geek, remember?  And music, along with books, is probably the most important form of entertainment in my life.  So, a bit of advice.

First, the 200 CDs thing is a bit vague.  200 CDs can take up anywhere between 5 gigs and 1.13 terabytes.  It all depends on the bitrate that the CD is sampled in when it’s ripped (copied into a an audio file).  The higher the bitrate, the better the quality of the file.  The mininum bitrate that you should even consider is 64 kbps (kilobits per second)-- the above 5 gig figure, but there really is no need to rip at direct CD quality of 14,400 kbps (the higher figure).  I generally rip at 128 kbps, which I find to be the best compromise of quality and space (about 1 MB per minute), with very few noticeable degradations in quality.  Serious audiophiles would frown on that, though, and generally would rip at 256 kbps or above, though above 320 kpbs, you’d have to have VERY special ears to tell any difference between a 320 kbps MP3 and the original CD source.  Some audiophiles bypass bitrate and go for lossless audio formats like Ogg Vorbis or FLAC, but it doesn’t sound like you’re too worried about the true fidelity that offers (and the compression algorithms on those formats aren’t as advanced as those on lossy formats like MP3 or AAC, so file size is still an issue), though correct me if I’m wrong.  Knowing what I know of your tastes in music (Baroque classical), I wouldn’t recommend you go with my bitrate of 128 kbps because it won’t cut the mustard for fast changes in the music.  I’d recommend you go with 192 kbps or above, or consider variable bitrate-- this is probably the best route to go down for good quality that can keep up with orchestral music and still keep your file size down.  So I’d estimate you’re looking at around 7 gigs for your 200 CDs (at about 55 minutes per CD).  An 8 or 16 gig flash-based player should suit you just fine.

It also sounds like your main priority in a player is the same as mine-- storage.  I’m not too worried about video, and while I’d like a good screen for photos, I MUST have enough storage for my entire music collection-- about 50 gigs.  Of course, that means for now, flash-based players have to be ruled out (though in a year to eighteen months, I expect they won’t).  This is the other part of the equation-- the storage medium.  Generally important, as smaller flash-based players consume less power and have fewer moving parts, thus making them more durable (less susceptible to damage such as hard drive crashes) and having longer life per battery charge.  They’re perfectly suited to exercise, and I have a cheap, no-name one for this purpose.  But my main player is a Creative Zen Vision M 60 gig (slimline) player, now sadly discontinued.

Having had several other makes, I can seriously recommend Creative products.  They’ve been making computer sound equipment for decades, and the sound quality I get out of my Creative player is GREAT (through a pair of Sennheiser CX300s, it’s freaking sublime).  It’s larger than your average player though not excessively so, and the interface is decent for not having the Apple clickwheel.  It requires no propriety software such as iTunes, and I use Windows Media Player, a standard part of the Windows OS, to synch up music-- it even does album art with no subscription fee.  From this standpoint, it’s good to look for a player that is PlaysForSure compliant-- this is a protocol agreed by a consortium of portable media player producers (excluding of course Apple) which dictates that the player work with no proprietary software and has restrictions on DRM (Digital Rights Management).

There are several well-reviewed makes on the market that would mean that you don’t need to go down the iPod route, such as Creative, Microsoft, SanDisk, etc.  While the accessories are tougher to find (since they’re not nearly as ubiquitous as the iPod), the ones you need can be found, and the tradeoff is worth it.  Most of these also play a far greater range of formats than the iPod, meaning no time-consuming conversions into Apple-friendly formats.  Newer players can also play lossless formats, if you decide that you want to go down that route.  While none of them offer the huge capacities that iPods do (it seems most manufacturers are now happy to leave the hard-drive based players to Apple), you can find enough capacity in an affordable flash-based player for what you want to hold on it.

Finally, I can’t recommend enough the site that Nate’s already pointed you toward.  You can always find plenty of resources online about iPods, but there are very few dedicated to the ‘other’ sector of the market, and Anything But iPod is by far the best.  There are forums, FAQs, articles, up-to-date information, a selector and comparison tool, and so on.  They’re always helpful over there too.  If you decide you don’t want to go down the iPod route, then they will not steer you wrong.

For the sake of being sorta on topic, anyone know if Ericsson has signed his contract that was rumored yet?

Have a look at Snapshots.  George has info from the NHLPA website that shows him as being compensated handsomely this upcoming season, so it appears as though the rumors of him signing were true.  I’ll sleep a little bit better once I know for sure that it’s a multi-year term, but whatever.

Heh.  Talk about a split personality.  Did you just go chasing yourself around?

The irony appealed to me.  Plus I got huge tips after my crowd-pleasing matches! 

(I usually played human-like characters with many language abilities and high social skills, but I think that was when I was bored and went with something different - might have been shortly after my Ravagon lost all contact with his home reality and bit the dust, but can’t remember.)

*******

Thanks for the advice, guys - all the players look good on television, but that’s because they exist on the Commercial Planet, where children behave if you use the right words, no one who shops at the right store will ever be out of a job because he looks that part, wives can have a spotless house and still not have a hair out of place, and coloring your hair and whitening your teeth is all that is required for perfect happiness.  Well, that and Viagra, apparently.

I’ll definitely check out that website, Nate.  Thanks!

For the sake of being sorta on topic, anyone know if Ericsson has signed his contract that was rumored yet?

http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080721/SPORTS0105/807210344/1128/SPORTS0103

July 21, Detroit News: The Wings have locked up one of their remaining free agents, agreeing to terms on a three-year contract with defenseman Jonathan Ericsson . The two-way deal is worth about $2.7 million if Ericsson remains in the NHL but pays him less—and doesn’t count against the Wings’ salary cap—if he’s playing for Grand Rapids in the American Hockey League.

this is fantastic.

Thanks for the advice, guys

Oh shiz-- don’t mean to mislead you Baroque, but I’ve just rechecked my calculations, and for 200 CDs at an average of 55 minutes each ripped at 192 kbps VBR (variable bitrate) you’re actually looking at nearer to 16 gigs, so better look at 16 or 32 gig flash-based players.  Sorry.  Glad to be of help though.

agreeing to terms on a three-year contract with defenseman Jonathan Ericsson

Great news.  Now I can sleep the sleep of the innocent.  And in that sleep I dream I’m a minotaur matador who lives on the Commercial Planet.  God bless advertisers.

Oh shiz-- don’t mean to mislead you Baroque, but I’ve just rechecked my calculations, and for 200 CDs at an average of 55 minutes each ripped at 192 kbps VBR (variable bitrate) you’re actually looking at nearer to 16 gigs, so better look at 16 or 32 gig flash-based players.  Sorry.  Glad to be of help though.

No problem - it isn’t as though I ran right out this very second and got a device based on inaccurate information.  Plenty of time for corrections and mulling over options.

And in that sleep I dream I’m a minotaur matador who lives on the Commercial Planet.  God bless advertisers.

You funny. 

Plenty of time for corrections and mulling over options.

Well, as long as we’re doing that, there’s always the option of ripping at a lower bitrate to save space.  Guess it’s all about doing a few samples and seeing how they come out.

Oh, and there is ONE knock against Creative-- their proprietary software that comes bundled with their players sucks sweaty hairy goat balls.  It’s pretty awful, and leave ths CD if you buy one-- just let your operating system install the drivers by itself and use whatever synch software you already have.

And as A2Y appears to be moving on from this, feel free to email me if you think I can help out any more.

You funny.

Well, thanks.  I try.  Occasionally I score a hit.

Well, thanks.  I try.  Occasionally I score a hit.

comedy is like running for President.  say a bunch of crazy sh!t, see if anyone laughs, and if they do stick with it until they stop laughing and then pretend you never said it.