SOFTWARE
How to copy WAV files
Q: I am a contemporary ballroom DJ and have been looking in vain for software that can copy .WAV format music files and a DVD player that can play them randomly. Specifically, I need software that allows me to copy and store on my computer some .WAV music files, or the commercial equivalent that has the same sound quality. I also need this software to burn a compilation of .WAV files. I do not want to use lesser-quality MP3 music files, but so far all the programs that I’ve found use MP3. I need a DVD player that can play the songs on a compilation disk in the random method sometimes called shuffle. I also would like the DVD player to maintain a list of the songs, and delete a song from the list after it has played — a common feature in CD players.
A: I understand why you want to use high-quality sound files in the .WAV (Waveform Audio File) format. WAV files are either untouched original song recordings or compressed song recordings that have had minimal amounts of data removed. By comparison, songs in the widely used MP3 (Motion Picture Experts Group Audio Layer 3) format have had a lot of sound data removed to compress them into tiny data files.
Both iTunes and Windows Media Player can burn songs already in the .WAV format to an audio disk without any conversion that compromises their sound. (This works on any .WAV file taken from a standard music CD.) After you import the .WAV music files into one of these programs, drag the .WAV files to the playlist you want to burn. See tinyurl.com/c3lk75p.
For a look at some DJ-oriented DVD players, see tinyurl.com/bt3zgb5 or tinyurl.com/6qoqtfx.
But instead of burning music disks and buying a DVD player, you could skip all that and instead play the .WAV music files and manipulate your playlists on a PC using DJ-specific software. In addition, iTunes has a built-in DJ function and there are DJ-friendly apps for the Apple iPad.
— By Steve Alexander
Minneapolis Star Tribune
WORKPLACE
Bosses win most fights
Q: One of my co-workers, “Andrea,” was recently promoted to a higher-level position. I applied for the same job, but was never even interviewed, despite the fact that I have more experience and my work is more complex. My boss says Andrea has the necessary qualifications, but I have investigated and found that this is not true. I have also learned that my manager secretly helped Andrea prepare for the interview. But when I requested a recommendation, she never followed through. Now I’m concerned that she may be belittling me to other managers in the company. I find myself spending a lot of time monitoring my manager’s behavior and trying to keep other people in the group on my side. I would really like to move to another department, because all this negativity is exhausting. Do you have any advice?
A: Saying that you need to “keep people on your side” makes it sound as though you are engaged in some sort of battle with your boss. If she perceives you as adversarial, that may explain her reluctance to recommend you for a higher-level job. Promotions are seldom given to employees who are considered difficult, even if they are well-qualified.
Since managers always have their own grapevine, your boss’ negative perception might also affect your ability to transfer within the company.
Just as employees gossip about bosses, bosses also talk about employees. Without “belittling” you, your manager could still share the opinion that you are somewhat challenging to manage.
The bottom line is that, even if you dislike your manager, you will nevertheless benefit from having her support. So instead of wasting energy investigating your colleagues and fretting about lost opportunities, you would be wise to focus on building a better relationship with her. In the long run, employees who go to war with the boss usually lose, simply because managers have more power.
— Marie G. McIntyre
McClatchy Newspapers