iTunes 9

Most, if not all of us, use iTunes. It's an easy and free way to organize music on your computer. I have used it almost since its inception and have never had a problem with it. Recently, Apple came out with the newest version, iTunes 9. A new feature that has been added is called Home Sharing. You have always been able to access other computers libraries on iTunes, provided they are on the same network. Home Sharing allows you to actually copy songs off of another library to your own without deleting or stealing them from the original computer. This is especially advantageous because you can now put these copied songs onto your digital media player, rather than only being able to play them through the computer. A downside to this is the shared and copied music can only be authorized onto five computers. The person who's music was copied has the option at anytime to de-authorize one, or all of the computers he or she has given permission to. I would not recommend this tactic in building your entire library because, as I said, the person can de-authorize the music at anytime and you would no longer have access. This is a good feature if a roommate or family member has an album or two that you don't necessarily want to buy and have forever, but would like to listen to for a while. This kind of social networking is a plus to the most broadly used media player out there and because it's free, I suggest that everyone give it a try. Download it here.