Best sites for downloading songs for iPods?

***Rant Boss*** · 01-30-2008, 12:30 PM

My son got his first iPod (Nano), and it's time to load it up.

What are the best (safest, least expensive, etc.) sites for downloading music?

He wanted to go to linewire.com -- I'm concerned about Spyware, viruses, etc.

Please only recommend sites that you have used without problems yourself.

thanks

ems594fd · 01-30-2008, 01:24 PM

in my opinion the only way to go these days is with iTunes... I feel lit is the easiest and safest for use with Apples ipods, especially with the new technology. I am saying this because i have heard a few people say that they bought a new nano a few months ago, put there old limewire, etc music on it along with a few itunes on it. shortly after she had a problem with the ipod, it wouldn't transfer songs to the ipod. they took it back to apple, and they said they couldn't do anything about it since she had used programs like lime wire and could tell the song were not from itunes. Also, I don't know how old your son is, but if he uses the ipod on a computer that may be used on some schools or university servers, he risks the chance having his internet privileges revoked and possible fines, etc. All in all, i think itunes is the best software, selection of music, good prices, and easiest to sync with. Just my thoughts, hope this helps.

FIRE07 · 01-30-2008, 01:32 PM

I use iTunes. It's not free, but the songs are CD quality and there is no risk of viruses. They also have pretty much everything.

To avoid charging my credit card, I load up my account with iTunes gift cards that you can buy at CVS, Target, Radio Shack, or pretty much anywhere that sells a variety of gift cards.

ofd11 · 01-30-2008, 01:56 PM

Limewire, I have been using it for yrs and no problems.

johnfromnowhere · 01-30-2008, 02:39 PM

Limewire is a good way to go. It checks for inconsistencies in files that indicate a virus is present. Been using it for about 3 years. Hasn't let me down yet. A good tip, always check the file sizes for what you want to download. If its under 1 MegaByte (1000 Kilobytes) then its probably something bad.

***Rant Boss*** · 01-30-2008, 02:41 PM

What's the difference between Limewire and Linewire...are they related?

FIRE07 · 01-30-2008, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rant Boss

What's the difference between Limewire and Linewire...are they related?

It's the same thing, I believe Linewire was a typo.

Another consideration is that downloading songs for free off of Limewire is technically illegal. Even though very very few people are prosecuted, it's still copyright theft.

stepitxup · 01-30-2008, 04:25 PM

Ares.

sr0610 · 01-30-2008, 04:37 PM

ares lite, lower memory consumption

*sig9A* · 01-30-2008, 05:12 PM

i'm not a fan of limewire
i've used bittorrent for a fair share of my music
however, i find the easiest way of getting music (semi-legally) is to go to the local library, take out music cd's and copy them into iTunes. I used to do this, pre-bittorrent, and got a load of songs. it's good for getting full albums and not bits and pieces of one.

johnfromnowhere · 01-30-2008, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIRE07

It's the same thing, I believe Linewire was a typo.

Another consideration is that downloading songs for free off of Limewire is technically illegal. Even though very very few people are prosecuted, it's still copyright theft.

It's not illegal to download. It's illegal to share or upload songs.

FIRE07 · 01-30-2008, 05:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnfromnowhere

It's not illegal to download. It's illegal to share or upload songs.

It's not criminal to download, but it makes you liable for civil action. One of the record labels started a more aggressive prosecution campaign on college campuses last year. Back when the original Napster was around, a 12 year old girl was sued for a couple thousand dollars.

But either way, I believe when you have Limewire it automatically shares you're entire library with other users.

johnfromnowhere · 01-30-2008, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIRE07

It's not criminal to download, but it makes you liable for civil action. One of the record labels started a more aggressive prosecution campaign on college campuses last year. Back when the original Napster was around, a 12 year old girl was sued for a couple thousand dollars.

But either way, I believe when you have Limewire it automatically shares you're entire library with other users.

It does. That's why you set it to not automatically search for media and share it on your computer and why you move the song files out of the 'shared' folder the limwire creates once they are done downloading.

kye994 · 01-30-2008, 06:28 PM

I use Ares all the time. Never had a problem.

BUFFaLOT · 01-30-2008, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FIRE07

I use iTunes. It's not free, but the songs are CD quality and there is no risk of viruses. They also have pretty much everything.

To avoid charging my credit card, I load up my account with iTunes gift cards that you can buy at CVS, Target, Radio Shack, or pretty much anywhere that sells a variety of gift cards.

iTunes is by far the safest. I also use gift cards to load up my account. The best way i found to do this is to empty my pocket change out into a large cup on my desk, then when I fill it I bring it to a supermarket with a coinstar machine. Most of them now have the option of getting the change back as a iTunes gift card. Normally those machines charge a percentage, but when you apply it toward a card they don't charge a thing. Its a really great way to deal with change, and almost feels like free music!

*sig9A* · 01-30-2008, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnfromnowhere

It does. That's why you set it to not automatically search for media and share it on your computer and why you move the song files out of the 'shared' folder the limwire creates once they are done downloading.

and change the file extensions it uploads to some really random one, like .abc or something