How can I make mp3?

[Nasimov]

How can I make my own mp3s? Examples: messages for/from my friends. I'm not asking how to rip a CD, but I am asking how I can make one from scratch.

Thanks for any help.

[Guybrush Threepwood]

1) record something on your computer.
2) use LAME (http://lame.sourceforge.net/)

[russ_watters]

Most cd ripper programs will also record sound from any source on your computer. I use Musicmatch Jukebox.