You’re going to need to gather some info about your MP3s in order to build these files. Here’s what you need:

1. Artist name
2. Title of each track
3. Length of each track (in seconds – multiply the number of minutes by 60 and add the seconds to it. So 4:22 would be 262 seconds)
4. Full file name for each track (ex. Overview.mp3)

Okay so let’s build our files, M3U first. According to Wikipedia, the file starts out like so:

#EXTM3U

#EXTINF:41,Artist Name - Track Title
filename.mp3

So for the additional tracks in this file you just cut and paste the example above (except that opening line (#EXTM3U that tells your software what kind of file it is), the #EXTINF: will stay for all files, the 41 is the track time, artist name, hyphen, track title, line break, filename are all kind of self explanatory. It needs to be in this format including the hyphen and line break. Then skip a line and paste your next one in.

For the PLS file things are pretty similar. Here’s what it looks like for a two track playlist:

  [playlist]

File1=01_Overview.mp3
Title1=Overview
Length1=41

File2=02_What_is_Meditation.mp3
Title2=What is Meditation
Length2=287

NumberOfEntries=2

Version=2

So things look pretty similar here. Filename, title, length in seconds. Then you tell how many entries were in the list and it has to be Version=2 for some reason. Again, Wikipedia has the scoop on this but this will get you started. Copy and paste tracks like you did before and duplicate the line breaks like I have here.

Here’s the key to both of these files as far as keeping it simple for your user: Zip all of your files together and include the M3U and PLS file in that zipped directory. Why? I know Wikipedia doesn’t tell you to but the thing is, when your user downloads the files, you don’t really know where they are going to be saved. By zipping the files up, you make sure all the files will be in the same place as your playlist files. So, when the user clicks one of the playlists, the player will look for the files RELATIVE to where your playlists are, and since they’re in the same directory they’ll work correctly :)

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Let’s say you’re trying to upgrade all of your plug ins at once using Tools > Upgrade. Let’s also say that Wordpress hangs mid upgrade with the site in maintenance mode. How do you fix it? Assuming you have FTP access, go to the top level directory for your Wordpress install and delete the file named “.maintenance”. This file is created when you opt to do mass upgrades and generates the “Site in Maintenance mode, come back in a minute” message.

Related to this potential disaster is the “I can’t get my damn Wordpress to auto update” issue. I happen to have been suffering from this one on a few blogs and guess what? It’s one of the plug ins I have installed on the site(s). Solution? Go to your Plug ins page, deactivate all of your plug ins, do your WP core upgrade, then re-activate all of your plug ins. It worked for me but your results may vary :) I found this solution here.

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TextExpander (for Mac and iPhone only but I’ll have a list of Windows versions below) is very simple in what it does but serious in the ways it strives to simplify your time typing. It works like this: find a bit of text you type repeatedly – say an intro paragraph to a weekly report or the signature for your weekly payroll reports – and copy and paste it into TextExpander with a handy abbreviation/snippet. The next time you type that abbreviation/snippet (or macro) TextExpander will replace it with the full contents of your original text. You can use it for anything and in any program where you type. I use it for lorem ipsum text filler, stock photo keywords, email signatures, order confirmation letters, phone numbers – you name it. In the last 4 years I’ve saved over 63 hours of typing (at 80 WPM) by using this. Plus you feel like you’re really pumping out the emails without sending curt replies.

Another bonus feature of TextExpander is its ability to sync via .Me/.Mac or iDisk. You just check the box in the settings panel and it automatically syncs your “snippets” so that all computers tied to your .Me account will now share the same shortcuts. Very nice. When I was switching machines from home and office I really noticed the difference when I didn’t have TE on there. I can’t speak about the iPhone app first hand though. It syncs your snippets as well but only to certain iPhone apps and the overall appeal for me is using TE anywhere I type. I notice it too much when it’s missing.

The downside: Cost. TextExpander is $29.95 and that’s a pretty hefty chunk of change for a specialized tool. However, think about those 63 hours and make a decision based on that. The software does come with an extensive library of built in snippets to give you a good head start on HTML shortcuts and to auto-correct common spelling errors on the fly.

I highly recommend TextExpander for anyone working on a Mac and can honestly say it’s been worth every penny to me. There are regular free updates and the customer service from Smile on my Mac has been good when I had questions. Okay – on to the other options ( I haven’t tried any of these FYI):

Mac:

• FastFox $24.99
• TypeIt4Me $27.00
• Typinator 3.6 ~$29.00

Windows:

• FastFox $24.99
• Texter Free
• Breevy $29.95
• PhraseExpress Free

Linux:

• AutoKey Free

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Or maybe they just don’t like Drudge – in any language :)