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The last few weeks/months we have been throwing the term MP3 around like it was part of the vernacular. Apparently it's not. After looking at many a blank expression when I bring up the subject of MP3 players up in casual conversation, I have come to understand that MP3 is far from being a commonly used term. But since it may be one of the most important words in the language of gadgets for the upcoming holiday season, this might a good time to get it explained and understood especially if someone you know has an MP3 player on their holiday wish list.

Technically speaking the acronym MP3 stands for Moving Picture Experts Group Layer-3 Audio. You don't need to know that. What you do need to know is that MP3 is a format for music that can be downloaded from the Internet. To listen to an MP3 file (song) you can play it on your computer, burn it onto a CD-R (a CD-ROM that can be written/recorded on but not modified once it has been burned) or a CD-RW (a CD-ROM that can be written/recorded on and added to), or it can be downloaded to a device called an MP3 player.

There are several kinds of MP3 players. The Apple iPod, which we have extensively looked at the last two weeks in this column, is a hard-drive player. That means it can store large numbers of MP3 files (songs) internally on a mini version of a hard drive like the one in your computer that stores all of your software and files. A 10 GB iPod ($300) can hold, for example, 2500 songs or roughly the equivalent of 250 CDs or 250 hours (10+ days) worth of music. Hard drive players are the top of the line in the MP3 world at the moment. That's because they are small, lightweight (5.6 ounces), sleek, intuitive, can hold hours/days of music, and have no moving parts so the music doesn't skip. That makes them a perfect partner for anyone who likes to listen to music while exercising or just being out and about.

Another less expensive alternative are MP3 Flash-based players like the RCA 128 MB Lyra ($130) or 64MB Lyra ($80). They have built -in memory, but in smaller amounts. The 128 MB Lyra, for example, can store up to 4 hours of music and enjoys the benefits of having no moving parts - again good for exercise. Some players like the Lyra also have a FM radio onboard. For expanding the memory, they also have card slots. That means you can buy tiny Multimedia memory cards that you can download music to giving you more play time (hence the reason they are called Flash-based). They are less expensive, but remember you also have to buy the expandable memory cards, which come in various storage amounts and prices.

Yet another alternative are MiniDisc players like the Sony Net MD Walkman Recorder (two models, one with radio and remote $200, just the recorder $100). These gadgets record or can be downloaded to and store MP3 files on tiny discs. These MiniDiscs are somewhat misnamed because they actually can hold up to five hours of music. To expand the memory, all you have to buy are more mini discs, which are fairly inexpensive. This is a technology that replaced CD players and was very popular in Asia, but was very slow catching on here in the States.

The most affordable alternative for just playing MP3 files (songs) are MP3-CD players like the Sony CD Walkman ($80). They play files (songs) that have been previously recorded onto CD-Rs or CD-RWs. They are bulkier, but the also play regular audio CDs as well. Just be aware that you can't download music to these players - they are just CD players that also can play MP3 files after they have been downloaded onto CDs.