What do you use? why? Who has the best selection? What doesn’t work with what players? My mp3 player is not an ipod.
It really depends on how you react to the various sites, but I use MusicMatch and love it.
I have musicmatch and I hate it. Mostly hate the program, and the restrictions that WMA protected files have. I have not used any of the other WMA sites (napster, walmart, etc).
Yes, I have an ipod, and I like iTunes music store, although its not perfect either. Does what I need it to do.
USE AT YOUR OWN RISK There is an overseas offering that is very good. www.allofmp3.com However, the legality is in a grey area and I cannot personally vouch for the trustworthiness of the site. Who knows how well they protect your credit card. This is the right business model, just not perfect. That being said I know that it does work well if you find what you’re looking for and know what types of files you want.
Heck, if you want to keep up with current music (although most of it is crap anyway) just hit Best Buy on Tuesdays - the week’s new albums are usually 9.99. The price of a download for physical media. Not bad.
jsargevt
the restrictions that WMA protected files have. I have not used any of the other WMA sites (napster, walmart, etc).
I was thinking of using walmart. What are the restrictions? I will be dooing nothing but putting the songs on a portable player.
Well, for one WALMART feels the need to censor what I hear (they don’t carry any “Parental Advisory” marked albums). But that is a different story.
If you find that they have what you need - the restrictions are below. Not bad if all you wanna do is load up an MP3 player. The other choise is to use a monthly-based service. 6 of 1, half dozen of the other if you ask me.
   Download the music to one computer and back up music to two additional computers (see instructions below)    Make 10 burns to a CD (three more burns than some other download services)    Make unlimited transfers to a portable device  
Jim, take a look at these links for info. on which sites work with what players and what format the various sites use. There are some more sections on the top left of the page with more info.
http://www.mp3.com/tech/players_comparison_services.php
http://www.mp3.com/tech/services_index.php
All sites have digital rights management to some degree. Songs purchased in mp3 or wma format from sites like MusicMatch, Napster, Walmart, etc. generally play on most mp3 players. Songs purchased from itunes generally only play on ipods. There are ways to strip the protection so you have more flexibility, but that’s not your question.