• File sharing - where you share your music collection with other users. The free versions of this such as as winMX and others are illegal to use to download music as there they breach copyright,
• Downloads - you download these files from a server. The free versions of this tend to be forums for unknown artists to launch their work. Well known artists tend to be on pay sites.

Even the pay per download sites can represent good value compared to purchasing CDs. However, many still prefer to buy CDs. Buying CDs online can save you money compared with high street prices.Downloading the music is just the start, there are a number of options to play the music on your PC, and then you can stream the music all round your house. Or copy them on to a CD and play them on MP3 compatible HiFi equipment.

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