OK, New to iPods...school me

[white trash wagon]

Finally bought an iPod Nano 2ndn generation ( for $20). I guess I have to join iTunes to download music? Even to download my own CD's? Anyway to get a free membership?

[STANGGT40]

Finally bought an iPod Nano 2ndn generation ( for $20). I guess I have to join iTunes to download music? Even to download my own CD's? Anyway to get a free membership?

you can load your cds into itunes and transfer to your ipod...you may have to sign into itunes to get the album art, though.

[slow84lx]

you can load your cds into itunes and transfer to your ipod...you may have to sign into itunes to get the album art, though.

Better yet, rip your CD's onto your computer as MP3 files and then import them into Itunes to sync with your Ipod.

There are a variety of programs you can use to rip as MP3's. Windows Media Player is probably already installed on your computer and will work. This will allow you to move your music file collection easily from computer to computer or to another device that plays MP3's and not keep you confined to the Apple system.

[R3_82GT]

Itunes will make your CDs into MP3 files and put them on - it doesn't cost anything. Once you download Itunes and log in, when you load a music CD into the computer it will ask you if you want to import it.

[slow84lx]

Itunes will make your CDs into MP3 files and put them on - it doesn't cost anything. Once you download Itunes and log in, when you load a music CD into the computer it will ask you if you want to import it.

Itunes will rip your CD's as MP4 files....which you can only use with Itunes, Ipod, or Ipad. This is great if you will only ever use Apple hardware for playback. You will regret going this route if you ever want the ability to use another platform for playback of your music.

[Bassics]

itunes is a virus.

[white trash wagon]

What about downloads? There has to be a source that's legal (goodbye Napster!) yet doesn't cost .99 per song............

[slow84lx]

I believe that there are still some free sites out there, probably based out of this country. If you go that route make sure that your anti-virus software is up to date.

Recently I've only used Amazon to purchase used CD's or MP3 downloads. I prefer the used CD route but sometimes cannot find what I'm looking for or it is too new for the price I am willing to pay for just 1 song.

[Chas_svo]

Always backup your music to another source as well. Everyone I know has lost their music to an iTunes or iOS update. Apple does even know how to test any of the software they write. It's not near as good as win95.

You've been warned.

[white trash wagon]

I believe that there are still some free sites out there, probably based out of this country. If you go that route make sure that your anti-virus software is up to date.

Recently I've only used Amazon to purchase used CD's or MP3 downloads. I prefer the used CD route but sometimes cannot find what I'm looking for or it is too new for the price I am willing to pay for just 1 song.

Well....the whole idea was to get away from lugging CD's around. I'm guessing in the not do distant future, CD's will no longer be made.

[red95gts]

iTunes works like a champ for me. I really don't understand why every bitches and moans about it. It beats the shit out of Winblows Media Player.

On the very, very rare occasion I want to do something with an mp3, I just export it to CD from iTunes.

[slow84lx]

Well....the whole idea was to get away from lugging CD's around. I'm guessing in the not do distant future, CD's will no longer be made.

I don't buy them to carry them around. I buy the CD to rip as MP3 files to my computer and then add to my music playlists on the Ipod or the computer where I listen to music. The CD then goes onto the storage rack or can be sold.

It is usually much cheaper to purchase the CD used if you think you are going to listen to the whole CD. If you only want 1 song off it just download the MP3 file.

Back up your music / pictures / documents to multiple places. A portable hard drive is great and allows easy transfer of your files to other computers.

[VaderTT]

Torrents and torrent clients like vuze are your best bet. I have like 74,000 songs right now on my computer, actually 273.4 hours, 73,554 songs almost all from torrents. Maybe used iTunes for 20 purchases. No way am I spending $70,000.00 on songs (not that I could).

[jdgregory84]

Rip your shit with wmp and store the files in a folder. Anytime you add a folder to your music folder you can do "add folder to library" on itunes. I havent updated itunes in well over a year and have no intention of doing so.