Apple's refusal to work with Napster

It's actually Napster's copy protection that the iPod won't play. "As
with video, any audio file that you can play in iTunes will play on
your iPod, including MP3, AIFF, WAV (uncompressed), AAC, and Audible
(.aa) files."

iPod 101: Which Files Work With iPod and iTunes
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=304784

iPod: Frequently Asked Questions
http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=60920

IF the files that were downloaded from Napster were just .wma files
instead of protected .wma files, you could convert the files to a
supported format simply by importing them into iTunes.

Try complaining to the right people next time.

See if this works..I've recently had similar problems with my first
iPod..Something was not going right & I could not download the wav
files or something,i don't remember..Anyway..Get a blank re-writable
disc.Download all your music to discs.Then Re-uplaod them through the
iTunes part that goes with the iPod.I had to rename all the
titles/artists,but I was able to hear them with my iPod!! Hope it
helps..

I personally see nothing wrong with what Apple is doing. There are
plenty of video players and learning games out there for kids right
now that only accept one type of cartridge. If I were to use your
line of thinking, then I should be able to go out and purchase a new
V-Smile for my child that allows me to continue using my old Leap Pad
cartridges. Doesn't make good business sence.

The iPod works for DMR-free music in MP3, WAV, and a few other
formats.

What the iPod doesn't do is work with DRM (that's "Digital Rights
Management") encrypted products in any format other than Apple's own.

While we're at it, my old Creative player didn't work with music
purchased at the iTunes music store. Or Napster. Or any number of
other DRM-schemes.

I also have a Canon printer. It won't accept Lexmark printer
cartridges.

While it's be nice if every music player was licensed to use any
DRM-scheme, it's a sad fact that each manufacturer needs to negotiate
terms with each DRM-owner. In this case, Apple has made a business
decision to not license DRM from anyone. It's working for them, so
there's little chance of them stopping. Short of them losing some
sort of lawsuit.

In addition the channeling your anger at Apple, contact Napster and
ask that they provide you with a DRM-free version of the music. After
all, you paid for it. My guess is that they will refuse.

As I posted elsewhere, if your morals permit, you might want to seek
out a (potentially illegal) DRM-breaking program.

That's odd. When I downloaded iTunes, it searched for any mp3 or wave
files I had on my computer, and put them in my iTunes. This includes
mp3s from all other sources, including Napster and CDs that I
uploaded.

Just make sure your Napster files are in My Documents/My Music.

Good luck

Ok... i wont comment on your attitude at the end...but some programs
arent compatible with certain things. And did you ever think it would
be NAPSTER that doesn't want to work with APPLE? hmmm... get off YOUR
high horse pal.

I recently purchased an IPod. I have over 400 songs on my computer,
some downloaded through LimeWire some downloaded straight from a cd.
My IPod works fine with the LimeWire music. Did you try having ITunes
import your Napster music and letting it convert to ITunes format.
Then it should work with no problem from their. It is true that you
will not be able to download onto the IPod directly from you Napster
program but you should be albe to convert the music to ITunes format
and ready for downloading.

While we are discussing i-tunes, can anyone tell me why when I try to
run the setup program, it says it is not a valid Win32 application? I
know this is a weird place to ask such a question, but I can't seem to
get a straight answer from anyone else!

He's already paid for over 400 songs. Why should he have to pay for
them all again? I know I wouldn't.

Unfortunately, it seems all of the music services do this, so I think
you're out of luck, William. iTunes will usually convert files from
other formats unless they're embedded with some sort of digital
signature (Sony does this, and it's very annoying), but it doesn't
sound like you want to use their service. You might consider trading
the Ipod in for something that's more Napster-friendly. It's really a
shame that the services work this way, but that's business for you!

The problem is that how do you know Napster files are legal? I
believe Napster is now for pay? However, for years it was all about
illegal music. If this person has 400 songs from Napster - I have to
wonder how many are legal?? Just curious - not saying for sure that
any of them are.

Because he fell in to the "fad" and bought a name instead of a good
product. He bought an Ipod because he wanted to be like the rest of
the sheep in his group.
There are dozens of MP3 players out there that have better battery
life, more space, and work with Windows Media player. The one I'm
buying for my daughter for her birthday next week is also designed so
I can burn a cd from music in Itunes, then reload it to the computer,
then download it to the MP3 player, AND it's gonna cost me less than
100 bucks. Ipod with the same memory would be minimum 130.