# Computers: Saving Sound Files from the Internet **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [October 25, 2001, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computers-saving-sound-files-from-the-internet/89669 "2001-10-25T23:57:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Torgo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@Torgo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Torgo)\ **Post date:** [October 25, 2001, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computers-saving-sound-files-from-the-internet/89669/1 "2001-10-25T23:57:33Z")
I’m having trouble saving sound files (wav, mp3 and realaudio) from websites. When I save the wav & mp3 files, I’m unable to play them back from my hard drive (error message reads that some kind of “orig” file can’t be found). As for RealAudio: can these files be saved at all? I’m getting the impression that RA files aren’t really independent files but merely links to websites which contain said sounds. That’s been my experience because “save” isn’t even an option with these (again, my experience). Apologies in advance for being a computer idiot. ---
**Author:** ![Astroglide](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/6de8d8/32.png) [@Astroglide](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Astroglide)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2001, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computers-saving-sound-files-from-the-internet/89669/2 "2001-10-26T00:29:15Z")
IIRC, the .ra file is merely a “header”, that contains the location of the .ram file on the remote machine, and a few other configuration-type bits of information. I even think the .ra file may be straight text, but don’t hold me to that. Just a shot in the dark on your sound file troubles, but if you are able to save them to disk, but not play them pack, the problem is probably in your player application (WinAmp or whatever), rather than a problem with downloading the files. ---
**Author:** ![handy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5a626/32.png) [@handy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handy)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2001, 2:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computers-saving-sound-files-from-the-internet/89669/3 "2001-10-26T14:34:11Z")
In netscape I have to push down the shift key when I click on a file to save sometimes. This saves weird files types just fine. ---
**Author:** ![Reeder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c6cbf5/32.png) [@Reeder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Reeder)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2001, 2:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computers-saving-sound-files-from-the-internet/89669/4 "2001-10-26T14:51:37Z")
Netcape 6.1 always asks if I want to just open the file or save it to disk. Be it a .rm file or whatever. ---
**Author:** ![KellyM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/57b2e6/32.png) [@KellyM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KellyM)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2001, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computers-saving-sound-files-from-the-internet/89669/5 "2001-10-26T15:26:18Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Astroglide \* > **IIRC, the .ra file is merely a “header”, that contains the location of the .ram file on the remote machine, and a few other configuration-type bits of information.** You have it backwards. The .ra (Real Audio) file is the actual stream. The .ram (Real Audio Metafile) is control information that the player uses to connect to the streaming server. There’s little point in saving a .ram file. To download a remote file being served using a metafile requires a hacked client. Unfortunately, telling you how to do this is a felony. In fact, this entire thread is an attempt to solicit a felony. It should probably be closed. Damn the DMCA. ---
**Author:** ![Torgo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/94ad74/32.png) [@Torgo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Torgo)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2001, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computers-saving-sound-files-from-the-internet/89669/6 "2001-10-26T16:35:00Z")
[QUOTE] \*Originally posted by KellyM \* \*\* > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Astroglide \* > \*\*In fact, this entire thread is an attempt to solicit a felony. It should probably be closed. Damn the DMCA. \*\* I’m not trying to commit any felonies (not on the internet anyway). I was referring to various sites that feature “downloadable” sound files. Why must everything be so difficult? Why must there always be a problem? What is happening to me? ---
**Author:** ![KellyM](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/57b2e6/32.png) [@KellyM](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KellyM)\ **Post date:** [October 26, 2001, 6:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computers-saving-sound-files-from-the-internet/89669/7 "2001-10-26T18:42:01Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Torgo \* > **I’m not trying to commit any felonies (not on the internet anyway). I was referring to various sites that feature “downloadable” sound files.** Well, you see, if you were supposed to be able to download it and save it on your hard disk, it would be easy and obvious, and there would be instructions on how to do it. Since it’s not easy and obvious, and there are no instructions on how to do it, you obviously aren’t supposed to. So, helping you evade this restriction would be assisting you in evading a copyright control mechanism, which is a felony under the terms of the DMCA. As such nobody here (or in fact anywhere) can help you. Yes, I know, the above argument sounds stupid, but that’s the DMCA for you. **Any** attempt to circumvent copyright protection is a crime. Even the most trivial protection devices are subject to this protection. If I am not misinformed, under the new anti-terrorism bill doing so is an act of **terrorism**. I am not going to risk life imprisonment just so you can listen to a music file more than once. Blame Congress. Blame the MPAA. Blame the RIAA. But please don’t blame me, I didn’t vote for it. > [@](#): > > **Why must everything be so difficult? Why must there always be a problem? What is happening to me?** A lot of us have been asking these questions lately.