| iPod music downloads can be a very positive | | | | download files available in their database. You can also |
| experience if you know the rules of the game. With | | | | search the related iPod or music download forums for |
| the enormous number of "unlimited music downloads" | | | | info on the site. If others are satisfied with their service, |
| sites on the Internet, you can be overwhelmed or | | | | chances you will be too. |
| confused as to which one is right for you. I'll outline 3 | | | | My account with one of the sites requires you to |
| primary things to consider as a minimum while you | | | | download a free utility which will search for songs |
| make up your mind about them. | | | | based on the title or the artist's name. The search |
| Scam Sites | | | | results sometimes include several hundred results. |
| The first and foremost thing to consider is whether the | | | | Naturally a number of the results are the same song, |
| site you're at is just there to take your money. Sad to | | | | but there is a star rating system indicating the quality of |
| say, but in the real world, there are a huge number of | | | | each file. The majority of the files are mp3 format but |
| scam sites on the Internet. In the case of iPod music | | | | some are in WMA format. |
| downloads, you may want to do your homework and | | | | Price |
| thoroughly research a site before you reach for your | | | | Your options for quality iPod music downloads are |
| credit card. | | | | numerous. But if the site passed the first two tests |
| One site in particular is very attractive and shows they | | | | above then you should consider the long term cost. |
| offer movies, games, TV shows, almost anything you | | | | Prominent sites like Yahoo and MSN can be very |
| want. But when you click the "Register" link to sign up, | | | | expensive. For instance a Yahoo music account will |
| a credit card selection page appears showing a | | | | cost around $70 per year and MSN charges about a |
| grayed out disclaimer on the bottom. If you left click | | | | dollar per song. So your typical "unlimited music |
| and drag to highlight the paragraph you'll find out they | | | | downloads" site is a bargain, since they mostly offer a |
| DO NOT host iPod downloads of any sort! In fact | | | | lifetime membership in the 35 to $50 range. |
| they're only selling you, for $37, a list of other sites that | | | | In Summary |
| DO offer a download service. | | | | As with anything in life, if it looks too good to be true a |
| The disclaimer reads as follows, | | | | lot of times it is. But in this case, the nominal fee for |
| "Disclaimer: This website is a database (ie: an index) to | | | | joining one of these unlimited music download services |
| other websites that host downloads. This website | | | | can be well worth it. Because, the real fact is many of |
| does not facilitate in the download process in any way. | | | | them use a P2P file sharing utility similar to the one I |
| This website is not affiliated with, nor has control over | | | | was required to download. |
| any of the websites it links to ..." | | | | The iPod music download services that use it are |
| It seems to me you can get what they have to offer | | | | basically charging you the same price as the utility's |
| for free using a Google or Yahoo! search for iPod | | | | owner. So effectively, you're getting their customer |
| music downloads like I did. So it's best to thoroughly | | | | service for free. Some of them offer additional free |
| research the site you're interested in before you spend | | | | software incentives, game downloads, and movie and |
| your money. A Google search with the site's name | | | | video downloads included in the membership fee. |
| and the word scam would be a good place to start. | | | | Most of the services I looked at also include free iPod |
| Quantity of Music/Video Files | | | | music conversion software. I'm happy with my account |
| The top download sites have millions of multi-media | | | | and I download several tunes everyday. But I did my |
| files; movies, videos, games, songs. The ones I use | | | | homework and researched the sites for authenticity, |
| claim to have access to about 100 million files. Be | | | | file quantity, customer satisfaction and price before I |
| certain to look on each site for the number of | | | | spent my money. |