>>>>>>Does anybody know of a method (or a program) that allows downloading MP3 files to an iPod without iTunes?
>>>>>
>>>>>Keep in mind that you can use iTunes to manage any MP3 files on your computer, not just ones purchased from the iTunes store.
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>>>>I know. But I have had problems with QuickTime. I believe iTunes requires QuickTime and I had to uninstall QuickTime because it was causing some problems with my PC and I could not figure out how to deal with them.
>>>
>>>We have iTunes running on three computers here (two PCs and one Mac) and I have not noticed QuickTime running. But maybe it runs behind the scenes. IAC, good luck. I know some people think you have to buy all the songs in the iTunes library from the store and wanted to be sure you knew you don't.
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>>When you install itunes, you also install quicktime. I've never had a problem with quicktime, but usually any tunes I download from itunes, I convert immediately to mp3 because I don't use an iPod.
>
>I didn't realize this was possible. I thought if you download music from itunes, you had to use it on itunes and only be able to use it on an ipod.

There are a ton of free programs out there (and some commercial ones) that will convert itunes format to mp3. Do a google for "convert M4A to MP3". In fact, even the iTunes software will convert the files to MP3. There are some files that are locked and iTunes won't convert, but for the most part, it isn't a problem.