Mapping the online music scene

With the recent launch of Yahoo's music store, the options for listening to and purchasing digital music got even more interesting. Yahoo offers cut-rate pricing, but how does it stack up to other services? Here's a guide.

ITunes

itunes.com
An easy to use, full-featured software companion to the popular Apple iPod. The software allows you to organize a digital music library, rip and burn CDs, transfer to portable players, and create and share playlists. Extras include free Internet radio, party shuffle, audio books, music videos.

Restrictions: Music can be played on up to five computers; unlimited transfer to iPod and CD. Burn playlist to CD up to seven times.

Cost: no monthly fee, 99 cents perdownload.

MP3tunes

mp3tunes.com
This service has a small catalog, but is low-cost and is the least restrictive about what you can do with purchases because it does not use digital rights management. No special player required; works with any Web browser. Also works with any digital player that supports MP3, including iPod.

Cost: no monthly fee, 88 cents per track; CDs $8.88.

Nice extra: Service highlights independent artists.

MSN Music

music.msn.com
Microsoft's Windows Media Player software conveniently connects to multiple music stores, and plays and organizes music and video. Attractive interface, easy to use. Use the Windows software to organize a music library, rip and burn CDs, transfer to portable players, access MSN, MusicMatch, Walmart, and Napster.

Restrictions: You can play music on up to five computers; unlimited transfer to portable players and CD. Burn playlist to CD up to seven times.

Cost: no monthly fee; 99 cents per track; premium Internet Radio $29.99 a year or $4.99 a month.

MusicMatch

musicmatch.com
OnDemand streaming service offers unlimited access to more than 800,000 tracks for $9.95 a month; 99 cents per track for downloads. Free version of MusicMatch Jukebox 10 plays, transfers music, rips and burns CDs. The paid version ($19.99) adds additional features such as faster CD burning, recording from vinyl and cassettes, and free and premium radio ($2.95/month). Supports more than 30 Windows Media-compatible portable devices.

Restrictions: Plays music on up to five computers, unlimited transfer to portables and CD, burn playlist to CD five times.

Also: Allowance feature makes it easier to curb kids' spending.

Napster

napster.com
''All you can eat" ToGo service is less attractive now that Yahoo has launched a cheaper alternative. Use Windows Media Player to organize a digital music library, rip and burn CDs, transfer to portable players, manage playlists, and access music store.

Restrictions: Play music on up to three computers, burn purchased tracks to CD and portables. Download to a computer, but cancel your subscription and tracks won't play.

Cost: Napster Light offers free searching and browsing; purchases at 99 cents per track. Napster is $9.95 a month with unlimited streaming, downloads as long as subscription is current. Discount for purchasing multiple tracks. Napster ToGo costs $14.95 a month, same features as Napster, plus unlimited downloads to portable music players. Extras include 50 commerical-free Net radio stations.

Rhapsody 3.0

rhapsody.com
A confusing number of subscription plans. ToGo service priced higher than new Yahoo service. Use Rhapsody Player software to organize a digital music library, rip and burn CDs, transfer to portables, manage playlists, access music store.

Cost: Free version allows you to stream 25 tracks per month, listen to 25 radio stations, purchase at 99 cents per track. For $9.99 monthly: unlimited streaming, 89 cents per downloaded track. ToGo at $14.99 a month adds unlimited transfers to portable players. Radio: $4.99/month.

Virgin Digital Music Club

virgindigital.com
Music rental subscription must be current or songs no longer play. Amusing, friendly help files. Playback possible only on computer music was purchased on.

Use Virgin Digital Player software to organize digital music library, rip and burn CDs, transfer to portable player, manage playlists, access music store.

Cost: $7.99 a month, unlimited streaming, downloading; 99 cents per track.

Restrictions: burn purchased tracks to CD, transfer to portable players. Works with dozens of Windows Media compatible players.

Walmart

musicdownloads.walmart.com
No-frills, low-cost, limited catalog. OK if you're not looking for widest range of music.

No monthly fee; 88 cents per track. Limited amount of exclusive content. Use Windows Media Player software or Web browser to organize digital music library, rip and burn CDs, transfer to portable player, manage playlists, access music store. Works with dozens of Windows Media-compatible players.

Restrictions: download the music to one computer, back up music to two additional computers, 10 burns to CD, unlimited transfer to portable device.

Yahoo Music Unlimited

music.yahoo.com/unlimited
Clean, attractive interface. This beta versions is a bit buggy, with occasional crashes. Currently cheapest music rental pricing. Installation made changes to home page, placed other applications on computer. Use Yahoo Music Engine to organize digital music library, rip and burn CDs, transfer to portable player, manage playlists, access music store.

Cost: $4.99 a month annually; $6.99 month-to-month; unlimited streaming, download to portable players; 79 cents per track. Extra: share music with friends via Yahoo Messenger.

Michelle Johnson is a freelance writer. She can be reached at mijohn@mail-me.com.