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Apple desk top computer - can anyone recommend training help?

Hi All - I have a Mac OS X 10.6.8 desk top computer.  It has stopped being able to play audio extracts on website which I need to be able to listen to for work (on the BBC site for instance).  Can anyone recommend a Mac-savvy patient person who might be able to come round to provide an hour or two's training/advice? Assume I need up-dating but no idea how to go about it. Also, if known, how much they might charge? I am beside Alexandra Palace.  A bit off the Harringayonline track - but I do much enjoy your site. Thanks!

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Marek? He is brill, don't have his number to hand. But he is on this site and highly recommended by HOLers!

Use the amended tag to find Marek and all other recommended computer bods.

Thanks for such a prompt response - I should have found the answer to this with better searching on the site - sorry - am (as is obvious) embarrassingly un-techie.  Marek sounds just what I need! 

Thanks Nick & Lizzy - what a brilliant site this is ...

If you can provide a couple of links to pages where media is not playing - I can try and provide links and simple instructions to update whatever is required (assuming it is an update)

As an example: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-21910180 - to play the video in that link requires 'Flash Player' which can be updated here: http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Versio...

A slightly more detailed explanation of your problem might also help if things that used to be working have now stopped working.

HTH

Well that is very kind of you abstractjuz ... I can play & hear ordinary stuff on the BBC News website. I don't think it is an Adobe problem as I up-dated it a couple of days ago. What I can't play is: 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/history/dday_audio.shtml

It downloads OK onto my desk top, but whenI click to play it I get a box which says format not recognised by Quick Time Player.  ANy suggestions welcome (although I am a technological klutz, mostly ...)  Many thanks for your interest.  (I am interested in this because I am commissioned to make an audio book about D-Day, by the way, not because I am a war-monger).  

As it happens, I can't play these on my Windows machine. The file comes up with a .ram extension which is not recognised. I think this is a realaudio format which the BBC used to use and the files you are looking at probably date back a bit.

John - ah hah!  This now rings a bell as I believe this is why I traded in my ancient Mac in the first place when I was getting this problem with .ram & thought I'd better get up-dated.  Oh the joys of technology ...   many thanks for your interest - was hoping to save myself a lot of bother by not having to order the originals.  Oh to return to the days of quarter inch tape at 15 ips and a handy razor blade.  Thanks again.  

You probably need a chinagraph pencil too

If you download RealPlayer, be careful to deselect options that you don't need otherwise it takes over your computer

Oo-er - have the downloading choice box - has selected for me Real-Time Streaming Protocol; RealNetworks Media Package; Scalable Multicast; SMIL Multimedia Presentation & Flash Video; but not ticked Quick Time Movie - do you know what I need??? (small aarrgghhh) Thank you

Long time since I looked at realPlayer and sorry to scare you. I think if you meet problems like " Would you like Real Player to make you a cup of tea " you can always deselect them later. I would go ahead.

Hi Tessa,

Those BBC audio files are an older, less widely used format called 'Real Audio'.

Should be a simple fix - you'll need to download and install the free player from here: http://uk.real.com/

I assume it will have instructions - but if you need help, yell again and I'll talk you through it.

Once the app is installed, when you click on the audio link on the BBC page - it should just open up the player and start playing.

Let us know if that sorts it for you.

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