Apple's iTunes Store opens in Australia.

[Laney]

Originally Posted by VAxwell

I signed up - put in my credit card number and everything - but I probably won't use it too much. I'll definately download the freebie each week, but I wouldn't really buy a whole album.

Do you need to put in a credit card number if you only want to download the freebies?

[Mythor]

Originally Posted by Renee_Turner

I have no iPod, thus this service is essentially useless. I also have a shitful computer.

I don't have an iPod, either. But I guess my computer isn't "shitful", either.
You can burn the songs off to CDs if you have a burner and it is at least theoretically possible that other mp3 players could playback the songs.
But yes, without an iPod it is probably a bit less compelling.

Originally Posted by Edward

The Science Show and Science Friday podcasts are well worth checking out too - more science news and less talk-back than Dr. Karl's show.

I like Dr Karl though.
But thanks, I shall check them out.

[Renee_Turner]

Originally Posted by Mythor

You can burn the songs off to CDs if you have a burner...

and a net connection at home.

[ollieraison]

Paying for music? Woah that is just weird.

[VAxwell]

Originally Posted by Laney

Do you need to put in a credit card number if you only want to download the freebies?

I'm not 100% sure, but yes, I think so.

Although, I may have been a bit hasty and plugged in my CC# before I had a chance to look around.

My reasoning is: you need to sign up in order to access content. You need to give them your credit card number in order to sign up. But then, this theory falls down because minors andpeople who don't have CC#'s can buy stuff with itunes store vouchers (apparently) so they need a way to sign up.

Answer in short, I dunno. Try it and see

[Gutter Monkey]

In related news .....

Yahoo Doubling Price of Music Service

It's still not that expensive (it's still less than Napster).

Oh, and I didn't know this:

With its service, Sunnyvale, Calif.-based Yahoo joined Napster and RealNetworks in trying to sell the concept of renting an unlimited amount of tunes for a set fee instead of buying copies individually.

The rental approach is supposed to encourage customers to sample different genres and discover new artists. But if the subscription expires, the previously downloaded music becomes unplayable. Customers at Apple's iTunes store, by contrast, keep the songs they buy.

DUH!