For disk space considerations, and for the sheer tweak factor, I'm copying/converting 1400 of my 192k mp3s to 128k mp4s for use exclusively on my ipod. (I'm all for trading a little sound quality for a few more gigs of space.)

I did a little research before starting the project, but no where did I find anything mentioned about the amount of time involved in converting this many files.

I began the conversion (using dbpoweramp and its myriad of separate doohickeys to make the process work) and sat there for a while, watching the progress meter. It didn't move. I went to the bathroom and came back. Still 0%. I went to lunch and came back half an hour later. It was still 0%, but it said 10 or so files had been processed.

I stopped the program and went into the preferences, looking for a "ridiculously slow" checkbox or something. I couldn't find anything like that, so I assumed I'd set us up the program correctly.

Some time later, the progress bar finally reached 1% and displayed an estimated completion time of 48 hours. Yes, like the show. 2 days. The lifespan of a mayfly. I had no idea what I was getting into.

That was yesterday at noon. The program hung overnight for an undetemined amount of time, and again a couple of times today. It said it was unable to access memory for some reason. So I lost some time in there somewhere.

All I know is, I have 480 files left to convert, and the countdown says 15 hours. I think that's sometime in early September.

Meanwhile the computer is not happy. It's developed a slight cough and won't let me run much else. I tried to play Unreal Tournament, but it just laughed at me. When this is all over, I'm taking it out for ice cream.

In the end, I hope to gain at least 10 gigs out of the deal and another story to help solidify my friends' theories that I really need a girlfriend.

Oh, and why am I writing this? See above.

-Rob