Gah! You used to be able to go to Walmart.com and download their 30 second samples for the CD stuff. But I can't save them from either IE or Opera now. I need the Miami Vice theme as my ringtone!

Anyone know anywhere else one can get lots of snippets (but not a pop up laden crap site)?

Can't you still get snippets from Amazon? For most stuff, anyway?

On Amazon, when I click to save (instead of listen) it prompts me to save hurl.asf. Which I can't then play in Windows Media Player.

Hmm. Can you send me a full link to the cd you're looking at? I like trying to unravel these things, and it's a slow work day...

Here it is. Thanks for the effort.

Actually, never mind. ASF implies it uses the windows media streaming system (i originally read that as ASP) - it's designed so that you can't save, if I understand it correctly. Obnoxious.

There's almost certainly programs out there that let you capture ASF streams to something saveable, but it's almost certainly not worth the trouble.

I'm afraid most sites are gonna use the same system, though. Allmusic does, apparently.

ETA: I use the phrase "almost certainly" too much.

ETA2: Here are some WMP stream capturing programs, if you're interested in trying them out.

Also, there are programs that let you record whatever your soundcard is playing at the moment. I think that involves digital-to-analog-back-to-digital conversions, but the loss in sound quality might be acceptable for a ringtone....

Up until recently Walmart had 30s MP3s. It was a Cingular employee who told me about it. Too good to last.

Thanks Gris and Tommy. I'll see how much I really need it.

Anyone tried a frogpad? It makes my head hurt,because it's a new layout, but it does look kinda nifty.

Is it possible to scan over a network if the scanner software doesn't support it? (Yeah, stupid question....)

Scanner is HP Officejet 6210 all-in-one....

eta: Network is four XP computers, without server software (just file sharing).

eta²: Well, there's this: [link] $100 for business use....