• How do I listen to the audio on this site?
  
• I get an "codec" error message sometimes when I click the audio. How can I get rid of that?
  
• What browser should I use to view www.theworld.org?
  
• I have Windows Media Player installed, but I can't hear the audio.
  
• I have Windows Media installed, but when I click on an audio file, I get an error message. I also have Winamp installed, but it won't play the file either.
  
• How do I stop a streaming audio/video from starting in the Media Bar? I prefer to watch video in Windows Media Player.
  
• Where can I purchase the music featured on the Global Hit?
  
• What is the Geo Quiz theme song?
  
• How can I find out more about the music between news stories?
  
• Can I purchase transcripts?
  
• Can I order an audio copy of the program?
  
• How can I listen to The World if I am overseas?
  
• How can I contact a person featured on a program?
  
• How can I contact a producer of The World?
  

Q: How do I listen to the audio on this site?

A: To listen to The World's audio files, you need a media player. We recommend Windows Media Player. If you do not already have the player, you can easily download it, free of charge, from Microsoft.

Windows Media Player software is available for the Windows, Macintosh, and for the Solaris operating environment. It takes only a few minutes to download the application onto your computer's hard disk and install it. From then on, it will open automatically whenever you access audio files on The World's website.

There is also an open source media player that is available for Windows and Macintosh. This player is a free download from videolan.org. (See links below)

Our content is also available for purchase in downloadable form through Audible.com. Each purchase helps support on-air programming.

Q: I get an "codec" error message sometimes when I click the audio. How can I get rid of that?

A: Clear out your temporary internet files and restart your broswer.

Q: What browser should I use to view www.theworld.org?

A: We recommend the following browsers:

Q: I have Windows Media Player installed, but I can't hear the audio.

A: Follow these steps (on Windows) to determine if the file type, wma, is associated with Windows Media Player:

1. Press CTRL+E
2. In the file menu bar choose Tools > Folder Options
3. Click the Files Types tab
4. Scroll down and look for WMA in the Extensions column on the left
5. Select it and see if Windows Media Player appears. If NOT, click change and find Windows Media Player.

Q: I have Windows Media installed, but when I click on an audio file, I get an error message. I also have Winamp installed, but it won't play the file either.

A: Winamp will not play our files correctly. If you have Winamp installed you must remove a file association with this program to listen to our audio files. To do change this preference, follow these steps:

1. Open Winamp
2. Choose Options > Preferences in the file menu bar
3. Deselect "ASF" and "WAV" file types menu
4. Close Winamp

Q. How do I stop a streaming audio/video from starting in the Media Bar? I prefer to watch video in Windows Media Player.

A. You can turn off the Media Bar by following these steps:

1. If the Media Bar is not visible on the left of the Internet Explorer window, on the toolbar, click Media. If you don't see the Media button, on the View menu, point to Explorer Bar, and then click Media.
2. At the bottom of the Media Bar is a player. If the player is not playing any media, its button name will be Media Options. If the Media Bar is playing content, the button will be the name of the stream. Click this button to see more options.
3. To stop media currently playing in the Media Bar and play it in the default player instead, click Play in Default Player. The streaming media stops playing, and then after several moments your default media player should open and begin playing the same stream.
4. To turn off the Media Bar so that in the future, media files play in Windows Media Player by default, in the Media Bar, click Media Options, point to Settings, and then click Play web media in the bar to clear the check mark.

Q: Where can I purchase the music featured on the Global Hit?

A: If you're in search of music we've played on the Global Hit segment of the program, you may order it from Amazon.

Q: What is the Geo Quiz theme song?

A: The Geo Quiz music is the song "Diaraby" from the release "Talking Timbuktu" by Ali Farka Toure and Ry Cooder. It is distributed by Rykodisk and available from Public Broadcasting One.

Q: How can I find out more about the music between news stories?

A: Go to our "Music Heard on Air" section to look for music.

Q: Can I purchase transcripts?

A: Transcripts for most stories aired after January 2009 are now accessible, free of charge. Use the search box in upper right corner of page to find story or interview on The World's website, then click on the word "transcript."

Q: Can I order an audio copy of the program?

A: Unfortunately we are unable to provide audio copies of program items. It has not proved economically viable to retain a duplication service for the number of requests we receive. However, you can purchase archive editions in downloadable form from Audible.com.

Q: How can I listen if I'm not within range of a Public Radio station?

A: You can listen to The World via the internet:

Listen on-demand on The World's web site, or live feeds at www.wgbh.org and other public radio web sites like www.kcrw.org, www.wamu.org, and www.wnyc.org.

Q: How can I contact a person featured on a program or a producer of The World?

A: Although we cannot provide direct contact information for guests or The World producers we will pass your questions and comments on to the appropriate person, who will respond at their discretion.

Send e-mail to theworld@pri.org

or postal mail to:
The World
WGBH Educational Foundation
1 Guest Street
Boston, MA 02135

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