the scoop

the scoop

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Imagine spending hours working on a presentation, diligently saving the files to a USB key. Since the files are backed up, you figure you’ve got your bases covered. Then, on the day of the presentation, you reach for that USB key only to realize — gasp! — you’ve left it at home. Crushing.

Wouldn’t it be great if you had access to those files, even though you’re far away from your home machine? Dropbox (www.getdropbox.com), an Internet service that allows you to synchronize files between multiple computers and the Web, does just that and a whole lot more.

Dropbox is easy to use. The service sets up a folder on your desktop in which you can drag and drop just about anything; photos, text documents, PDFs, mp3s, PowerPoint presentations — whatever you like. Files in the folder are then synchronized with your Dropbox account. The service can be set up on multiple computers, and works on Windows, Macintosh and Linux machines.

ac/dc tops charts

AC/DC made its new album, “Black Ice,” available only at Wal-Mart and through their Web site, but that hasn’t limited its success: The CD not only has topped the charts in more than two dozen countries, it also debuts atop the latest U.S. album chart with sales of more than 780,000 copies.

The group beat out “High School Musical” for the No. 1 spot. According to figures released Wednesday by Nielsen SoundScan, “Black Ice” sold some 784,000 copies in its first week of release; the teen-oriented movie soundtrack sold about 297,000 copies. (The year’s biggest album debut so far belongs to Lil Wayne, with a million copies sold of “Tha Carter III.”)

stock up

Right now may be the best (i.e. cheapest) time to start investing in the stock market. But if you’re just looking to get your feet wet, it’s best to start off slowly.

At OneShare.com, you can buy one share of many of your favorite companies, including Disney, Starbucks, McDonald’s and many more. After you buy the share they’ll send you a fancy paper certificate (a rarity they warn may be going away soon!), with an owner’s manual. The manual gives you tips on everything from hanging the stock on your wall to connecting with your company. It also tells you how to learn about your stock’s performance in your local newspaper or on TV, with some necessary terms and vocabulary.

The total price for most certificates is a little more than $100, so it might be a good thing to ask for on your Christmas lists.

plant-free zep?

Led Zeppelin may yet reunite and tour — and they’d consider doing it without Robert Plantk.

John Paul Jones, the group’s founding bassist, told the BBC that he and his fellow band members would consider looking for someone to replace their lead singer.

“We want to do it. It’s sounding great and we want to get and get out there,” he told the British radio program in an interview broadcast Monday.

‘trl’ going out in style

For a decade and more than 2,200 shows, “Total Request Live” has been the premier destination for first looks at new videos, performances by chart topping musicians, appearances of established and up-and-coming actors, and exclusive music news. The series will soon end, and MTV will pay tribute to it. “TRL’s” original host, Carson Daly, and current host, Damien Fahey, will helm the finale, which will be at 8 p.m. Nov. 16. The show will take a look back at the best moments on afternoon TV.

beatles video game

The Beatles are coming to a game console near you. For the first time, the legendary group’s music will be featured in the lucrative video game market in a deal with MTV Games and Harmonix, creators of the “Rock Band” series. The game is scheduled to make its debut sometime next year, according to a statement Thursday.

“The project is a fun idea which broadens the appeal of The Beatles and their music. I like people having the opportunity to get to know the music from the inside out,” said Paul McCartney.