NOTEWORTHY

	What IS "Noteworthy," and what are the ways we can use it to hear and "see" the song playing, "Over the Rainbow," and many other songs in midi (.mid extension) or Noteworthy (.nwc extension) file formats? Standard digital "midi" files have no provision for showing words, but .nwc files created in Noteworthy Composer can show both music notation and lyrics for the song. First, you can download a free plug-in for IEx and later versions of Netscape browsers, and with the plug-in installed, your browser will open a file with the plug-in software and play it so that you "see" both the notes playing and the syllables in the lyrics highlighted in a different color, sort of a "bouncing ball," without the ball, done with color. Second, you can download a copy of the software for Noteworthy Player, a free and unencumbered package, install it, and then by downloading either midi or noteworthy (.mid or .nwc) files, you can "play" them on your computer with your free Noteworthy Player. Third, and for $39 American, you can buy a copy of the Noteworthy COMPOSER software, which will not only play the songs, but will import and notate midi files, print sheet music, and allow you to notate your own songs and edit others whether midi or noteworthy. Below we explore each option.
	FIRST OPTION Click on the icon to the left to download the free Noteworthy Plug-in for Netscape and IEx browsers. Once installed this software will allow playing of embedded nwc files from your browser interface. Note that merely downloading the Plug-in isn't sufficient; it must be INSTALLED to function. Then click here to go to a page using the plug-in to "see" songs as they play.
	SECOND OPTION Click on the icon at left to download the free Noteworthy Player which, when installed on your hard drive, will allow you to play and "see" the notes (midi files) and words (nwc files) for song files you may download from websites such as this or those containing midi files from all over the web. What does "midi" mean? Musical Instrument Digital Interface is what midi stands for, and it comprises digital music, which means the entire system of note on/note off/texture/duration/velocity/etc. which makes sounds which "play" as music on a computer. The Noteworthy Player is able to decode the binary digits in a music file so as to be able to make sounds which closely resemble various musical instruments. When you have installed the Noteworthy Player, you can then download either type of file from this site and play it in your Noteworthy Player on your own computer. The .nwc file will contain words, and the .mid file will not, but both will show the musical notes as they play in the song. (Note: Netscape browsers will not allow you to download .nwc files UNLESS you have them playing in the plugin shown above.)
	THIRD OPTION Finally, you may click on the icon at left to go to the Noteworthy website and see just what Noteworthy can and cannot do. They have a free sample good for one month I believe, which will give you an idea about what the software package can help you accomplish. It also has provision for being able to accept midi KEYBOARD inputs for musical notation, so you can use it to "play a song into" your computer.
	SOME FINAL NOTES Naturally you are not limited to any of the options; I myself have both Noteworthy Composer AND Noteworthy Player, and I use both extensively. The Player can be utilized in a batch file which will play a song list, one song after another, and it can be used to examine midi files you don't want to edit, just examine. Further, for music practice, with Noteworthy Composer one can s-l-o-w a song down so that one can practice the note sequences slowly at first, and then speed up as it is learned; one can write harmonies and practice them; one can mute staves and listen only to one part or another; the possibilities for a music lover are virtually endless. The only caveat about Noteworthy is that they NEVER offer support any way save by email or in the online forum; you can't find someone to talk to about any specific and urgent issue not covered in their faqs and archives. My guess is that it's a one person operation which hires a mail-phone secretary service and a phone sales rep, leaving the one person to do all the email support, all of the forum support, all of the program upgrades, and sweep the floor.