Need basic iPod help...

Sfar,
That's what I thought. Maybe I will use iTunes for the kid's music and only rip CD's for the stuff I really care about.

do the math - depending on your tastes and how many cds you plan to acquire you might do better buying used on Amazon - and no limitations on how you use the music ever after

Like Metralla I have 2000 cds and nary a one from iTunes.

And yes I had one of Vinnies iPods for awhile. Long gone now but it was lovely while I had it

Ckorody,
Thanks for the suggestion to buy used CD's on Amazon. Certainly makes a lot of sense. I will explore this option. Is Amazon one of the better places to look for used music?

iTunes is like buying a candy bar in the check-out aisle of the grocery store. Immediate and convenient, but not very good for you...

I agree that for any kind of critical listening you'd want the highest quality file possible for your music server, CD quality at a minimum and even higher if you can find it.

But, I listen to music in a lot of situations, planes, the gym, in the car, where the difference between a 256kbps mp3 and a lossless file just isn't audible. Being able to download and discover new music conveniently and cheaply is great. I don't get a lot of music from iTunes but have a subscription to emusic.com that I've found to be great for exploring music I might not otherwise ever know about.

Headshrinker

I like Amazon as opposed to ebay because I get a lot out of reading the reviews and commentary - very handy as you discover new "families". I also like the samples. And of course I get my cover art there too. Plus you have big brother Amazon behind each deal - in the very rare case of a problem (like 2 in four years) they can put the lean on.

I am sure there are others but this has been a really nice all in one for me and the offering is very broad.