The size of your MP3 music collection got you down? Windows users can use the free WinMP3Packer to decrease MP3 file sizes without any loss in audio quality. The “trick” is converting each song to a Variable Bit Rate. How much you will save depends on how much of your music is stored in an inefficient constant bitrate format. For details, check out Lifehacker.

Using free tools, Tinkernet’s Daniel Davis explains how to create an Internet radio station that all your friends can listen to. The tools needed are Winamp, Shoutcast DSP Plugin, Shoutcast Sever, and a supply of digital tunes to play. Sorry, today’s tip is for Windows users only.

Although your portable music player may have come with earbuds, there’s a whole world of headphone choices that provide better acoustics than the usual freebies. Before you buy, learn headphone lingo and the difference between technologies such as noise-reducing and noise-canceling at these buyer guides: CNET Headphone Buying Guide and HeadRoom Selection Guide.

Have you ever wanted to convert a file into a different format, but didn’t own the proper software? Zamzar is an online service that will convert files for free. It handles dozens of file conversions including documents, images, audio and video. Simply upload your file, choose your desired format, and enter your email address. When the conversion is complete, you will receive an email with a download link.

Free audiobooks, podcasts and other educational audio content is popping up everywhere. LearnOutLoud has a directory of over 500 free educational audio and video titles. iTunes has a growing collection of free podcasts. And my local public library has a collection of downloadable audiobooks made available through NetLibrary.com and RecordedBooks.com. Ask your local librarian if your library offers something similar.

Podcasting is distributing digital audio files for playback at a later time. It is a play on the words “broadcasting” and “iPod,” even though podcasting works on any music player, not just the Apple iPod. For more on podcasting, read Answers.com or download the free iPodder application.

Digital audio formats are of two types: lossey and lossless . Lossey means that some of the original data is lost during compression. Resulting files are small, but some sound quality is sacrificed. MP3 is a lossey format. Lossless algorithms, on the other hand, do not lose any data during compression. FLAC is a lossless audio format that is gaining popularity.

Although gummed CD labels from a print-them-yourself kit can look cool, there is evidence that over time they can destroy your CDRs, leaving them totally unreadable. The safest method for labeling a CDR is a permanent marker on the clear inside ring, where no data is stored. For details read Langa Letter: http://www.internettipoftheweek.com/?p=169

Digital music is abuzz with new offerings that range from pay-per-download stores to monthly subscription sites. With all the activity, come a few new music formats. Both Windows Media Audio (WMA) and Advanced Audio Coding (AAC) include copy protection that allow the publisher to define what you can do with the download. MP3 is a popular music format that does not include any copy protection. When you purchase digital music, a desktop player or a portable music player, be aware of which formats are supported; very few of the most popular products support all three formats.