[JosephW]

You would think that I would know this, but I deal mainly in the very technical side of network security, not the luxury side of computer use.

[Terpfen]

iTunes rips CDs, as does Exact Audio Copy and Easy CD-DA Extractor. iTunes is probably the most user-friendly, while I personally like Easy CD-DA Extractor.

[CarrotAndStick]

iTunes is good. Use atleast 192 kbps bitrate.

[Falconspeed]

iTunes seems great for both Mac and Windows.

[FrogMom]

I use iTunes - set up for 320 stereo.

[Jeff Chandler]

Vanities, vanities...

[MississippiMan]

MusicMatch Jukebox is pretty friendly, as well.

MM

[mwyounce]

Another vote for iTunes!

http://www.apple.com/itunes/download/

[technomage]

I use Nero and have had no problems over the years. Not free, but not expensive either.

[Hank Rearden]

My CDs are ripped to 128k WMA format for my Zen Touch player, because it has the quality of 192k MP3 at 2/3 the storage space. Unless you have pristine hearing, that's plenty good enough. Windows Media Player does this just fine, but there are others out there. Some others seem to like Ogg Vorbis (sp?), but I haven't tried it.

Plus, I don't fall into the Macmoonie orthodoxy.

You didn't say what computer platform you're using; hope you're not trapped in Steveworld.

[Tribune7]

iTunes

[kjam22]

If you use itunes you're creating the apple version of an mp3. Great if you're puting it on an ipod.

[Dolphy]

The MP3 players I'm familiar with usually recommend what software to use. I used Windows Media Player recently to load some music on a MP3 player I was giving as a gift...it worked really nicely. Easy to convert, recognized the player without a hitch and was one click away from adding the music to the player. I don't remember iTunes going that smoothly first try :)

[Denver Ditdat]

CDex is free, fast, small, and doesn't muck with your registry. (Assuming you're running some flavor of Windows, that is.)

[peyton randolph]

I like Goldwave Audio Converter and Nero for burning.

If you buy audiobooks from Audible.com, they've thrown a monkey wrench into the works with their proprietary mod of mp3 format. And unfortunately, their CD burning plug-in software has a propensity to conflict with CD and DVD drives on a computer, and disable them. To get rid of the mp3 mod and convert to a straight mp3 that you can load onto any mp3 player without a hitch, I recommend using River Past Audio Converter v. 5.0.0. Only version that will do it. Google it for the how-to if you're interested.

[Outland]

Want free? Windows Media Player rips CDs. It's not the best, but it's fast and free.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

Audiograbber.
It's now free and it is the most robust and flexible....and I've used them all. Well, a lot of them anyway.