are .m3u files really necessary?

[jackvull]

are .m3u files really necessary anymore? Most browsers allow users the choice of whether to download an mp3 file or stream it directly from the link?

Also, on a related topic, you see many sites putting up rm files as well as mp3. Surely, this isn't necessary anymore either. Don't Quicktime, RealPlayer, and Media player all have plug ins to IE and Firefox, etc.?

[crevier]

I use .m3u files to refer to multiple MP3s, one on each line. And if you're providing more than one MP3 (like samples from a CD), it is so much easier for the visitor if they are linked this way (rather than multiple links on a web page).

For single MP3 files, I could go either way.

As for RealAudio, I still always use .ram files to make sure it streams.

[jackvull]

I guess the main thing I'm trying to stop is where I have MP3 files and a user clicks on the link and quicktime decides to open it up in the same window, therefore blanking out the webpage.

Anyone know of some FAQs that I could copy/borrow from that point out to users how to set up their Windows media Player, RealPlayer, Quicktime to stream directly?