How do I convert .mp3 files to the .ogg format?
 

I want to convert .mp3 files to the .ogg format. I don't even know where to start looking though. google seems to bring up gigo. I am using Mandrake 10.1, and I was wondering if anybody knew of an easy, quick way to convert these files. (I know 10.1 plays mp3s, but I like the whole open-source concept, so I might as well support that) I would like to know if there is one with an easy gui format, and (hopefully) one click converting.

Also, does any of the programs like xmms do it?

I am not answering your question, but I do think it is important for you to know that since MP3 compression loses part of the audio during compression *AND* that Ogg also loses part of the audio during compression, your resulting MP3->OGG files will not sound as good as the original song or even the MP3.

You should avoid this. If you prefer, just take your CD's and rip them to Ogg instead. Using Ogg doesn't necessarily mean supporting open-source.

but doing so would be an oxymoron.

I have my mp3s stored in mp3 format on discs, and if I burn them to .cdas then rip them into oggs, wouldn't I still lose the sound quality?

yes you would, but only if you convert them into cd-audio, copying the mp3 files from one cd to another does not loose any quality, converting to cd-audio and then back to mp3 OR ogg does, just remember one simple rule, the more lossy conversions involved, the higher is the quiality loss, but since you are using mp3 I don't think you are concerned much about quality, and if you are I recommend against using mp3 or ogg for cd's, use monkeys audio for lossless compression ;)

I'm not to worried about audio quality (some cds I have ripped years ago have been in 56Kbps)

I gave up on trying to convert them last night....I'll just play them as mp3s.

That's better anyway -

Much as I like open PATENT FREE standards, mp3 is a lot more compatable than ogg is with other software and hardware.

Most linux software that can play ogg can also play mp3 - sometimes (sox) it may be a compile option, other times it may just require a plugin (xmms-mp3, gstreamer-plugins-mp3, etc.)

heck, in Mandrake 10.1 you don't even need a program like xmms-mp3. Mandrake 10.1 comes stock with the mp3 encoders. Earlier I had a little problem, but I solved that. mp3s in linux even sound better than in windows. I'm a little cautious about putting all my mp3s on the hard drive because I don't want to have to re-copy 6 GB of music all over again (if I mess mandrake up).

search on google fo a python script called dir2ogg, it'll convert mp3 to ogg.

I'm assuming you are referring to the purchased version.
Free linux distributions usually don't have them (at least not distributed from U.S.) because of royalties related to the mp3 patents.

Thanks for the plug :)

In case anybody finds this thread from a search and so I can post another shameless plug...dir2ogg is here:
http://badcomputer.org/linux/dir2ogg/

And yes we all know it isn't a good idea to convert from one lossy format to another...but as long as your mp3(s) have a decent bitrate to begin with...not many will notice a difference.

dir2ogg does not delete the original mp3 by default...so convert a couple then do a comparison in quality to see if you can live with it...