Anyone try any of the music download services? If so, are there any you recommend?

I've looked at a few, but dont want to be restricted by any software that limits where or how many times I can play the song.

Certain unscrupulous individuals in the office use bearshare.

You can apparently purchase a version that is not ad supported, so you have to deal with so much crap.

I've used iTunes and can report good things about it. You can buy an album (usually $9.99) or just one song (usually 99 cents). The files are NOT mp3 files so your CDs are just like the higher priced ones on the music store shelves and you can make as many as you want and copy them to as many machines as you want - office computer, iPod, laptop computer, home computer - because the files really are yours to use as you see fit.

FYI.

Apple's IPOD is the most popular. And probably the best (legal) service. But take this into consideration:

Some models of the IPOD hold up tp 10,000 songs. At a buck each, you'll eventually need a mortgage.

Napster now offers unlimited downoads for $14.95 monthly. 30 day free trial.

I don't know all the specs, but I do know, it's not going to be cheap. 15 song CD's are $12-15 at retail. With the download services, you buy only the songs you want and not the whole CD's. Better deal. You're not stuck with crap you don't like or will never listen to.

Hope that helps.

. . . but isn't Napster limited to use on your own computer?

What file format does iTunes use? Ultimately, I'll need to convert the file to MP3 for it to be as flexible as I want. Also, I dont want to download any special software to play it.

Someone at work told me that iTunes still limits you to sharing the file on up to 5 computers (Mac or PC), but unlimited sharing on iPods. Is this true?

I'm guessing Napster uses MP3, but I hear it limits you to 3 PCs.

What file format does iTunes use? Ultimately, I'll need to convert the file to MP3 for it to be as flexible as I want. Also, I dont want to download any special software to play it.

Someone at work told me that iTunes still limits you to sharing the file on up to 5 computers (Mac or PC), but unlimited sharing on iPods. Is this true?

I'm guessing Napster uses MP3, but I hear it limits you to 3 PCs.

One site I'll share with you guys:

http://music.download.com/ 

Independent and new artists. Free songs. MP3 format. No special software. Do what you want with the file. I'd love to see something like this for major artists. I'd pay .99 a song if I could really do what I wanted after I purchased it.

You can do whatever you want with the songs downloaded from iTunes. They live on YOUR computer, not the server. You can export the songs wherever you want them to go. They belong to you. You can even add the CDs you already own to iTunes so they can be exported to other places, too.