Apple has taken the world of digital music by storm with iTunes, the iPod (the best-selling portable digital music player), and the iTunes Music Store (Time magazine's Invention of the Year for 2003). And with the recent release of iTunes and the iTunes Music Store for Windows, all of these amazing tools are now available for both Windows and Macintosh users.The Absolute Beginner's Guide to iPod and iTunes, provides all the information music fans need to get the most out of these digital music tools. From the basics of audio CDs to advanced customizing of music on an iPod, this book equips even those who have never explored digital audio to master their digital music using these tools. The book covers both Windows and Macintosh platforms to reach the broadest possible audience. The book is organized into two major parts, with each focusing on an element of the iPod and iTunes and finally a third part focusing on the iTunes Music Store. Along the way, it explains how these tools work together and how to get the most from them. It progresses logically from very basic topics to more advanced ones, leading absolute beginners on the path to musical mastery.