Need basic iPod help...

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.

Amazon also fixes shipping charges their CD and LP sellers can charge too. $2.69 for a CD I believe. I've been happy buying used and new CD's from Amazons' sellers. Amazon has some great deals of their own too.