MP3
From Encyclopedia Dramatica
Audio compression format invented at least 100 years ago. It enabled people to save audio on their computer with greater ease and quality then before. Compared to a WAV file, the compression ratio is around 10 to 1, and the quality can be adjusted. Bit rates range from 320kbps to 8kbps, with a higher value resulting in a better quality. With their small size, they can easily be shared on the Internets, which eventually resulted in lawsuits from the RIAA.
Audiophiles and DJs enjoy whining and complaining about how poor the quality of MP3 files are, how certain frequencies and things get distorted, etcetera. These people are nuts and have no life. Apple uses an AAC compression format that is touted to be of higher quality. Most people cannot tell the difference between audio music and an MP3, especially when it's encoded at a compression rate higher then the 128kbps standard. A lot of audio on the internets is thus encoded at 160 and 196kbps for higher fidelity. However, the bit rate needed to make Insane Clown Posse sound "high fidelity" is estimated to be infinity.
Ogg Vorbis
There is another sound compression format called Ogg Vorbis. It supports variable bitrates, is unencumbered by patents, and is generally the superior format. This, of course, means that nobody will ever use it. This is an easy troll to use against both of the Vorbis supporters out there.
