Gil Scott Heron's famous lyric "The revolution will not be televised" was absolutely prophetic. It will be digitized - musically speaking, at any rate. Thanks to MP3 and a handful of other digital audio technologies, the way we access and enjoy music is changing faster than a Carlos Santana chord shift. Since many of us are more familiar with the MP3 acronym than how it works, we thought a quick primer was in order.

First you'll need a player - a software program that reads your MP3s. Just get one off the Net (most of the basic ones are free), but be sure to choose one that has multiple functions, like MusicMatch. A multi-function player will not only let you hear files you've downloaded from the Internet, but allow you to convert songs from regular CDs to store and play on your computer as well.

Next, search and enjoy. While the recording industry and digital upstarts like Napster battle it out on the legal front, music fans can reap the benefits of the virtual content explosion generated by everyone from mega-artists to unknowns. Whether you're looking for an obscure blues track or the latest alternative band, it's online. Newest are community sites where visitors compose their own MP3s by sampling global grooves, then share them with the world.

Far from being limited to desktop entertainment, MP3 is a ready and willing roadie. Walkman-like portables allow you to take personalized playlists off your computer and enjoy music on the go. Now in their second generation, portable players such as the Rio 500 Digital Audio Player feature ear-opening specs like two hours of skip-free onboard memory, a USB port for quick data transfers and cool, transparent colors. Nomad Jukebox from Creative Labs (pictured here) represents a whole new level of performance. Set for a late Spring 2000 release, the portable audio player/recorder can store an entire music collection (approximately 150 albums) with an astounding 6GB capacity. For an encore, it records from analog sources and can be hooked to external speakers. Everything considered, the new Bob Dylan song "Things Have Changed", couldn't be more revealing.

Eric Hiss