Over the Christmas holiday, our family purchased new computers. We'd like to know how to move our iTunes music files from one machine to another. Will it be more difficult to do because our computers are a mix of Windows-based and Macintosh machines? Also, why can't I get music off the iTunes site? Is Apple not interested in Hong Kong? Name supplied DQ: Assuming you have the latest Apple software - iTunes 7 - transferring your music files is relatively easy to do, provided you have the disk space to do it. You need to copy a few things from one machine to the other: first, the music files then two little files that tell iTunes how to handle your music. On a Mac, your music is kept in a folder called 'iTunes Music' located inside the 'Users' folder, which has a folder featuring your name. Inside that folder is a file called 'Music'. Your database is in there. For Windows, your music files should be inside Documents\My Music\iTunes. It will not matter if you are moving from one platform to another. The files called 'iTunes Library' and 'iTunes Music Library.xml' must also be moved to the new machine and put in the folder called 'iTunes' inside the file called 'Music'. There is no legal problem with moving your iTunes database from one machine to another as long as you actually own the music. An iTunes store has not opened in Hong Kong because Apple has yet to strike a deal with record companies for this territory. It is a battle that will continue for some time. Although it may seem to be an Apple problem, it is actually a problem Apple has with the music industry. The record companies want to make certain they get paid the big bucks they think they deserve. I can only suggest you monitor the news for developments. We bought our son a special computer that would allow him to play all kinds of games. But junior gets bored quickly and wants to try one new game after another. We do not want to waste money on endless games. Are there any good free ones? Name and address supplied DQ: It can be difficult to know what another person considers a 'good' game. There are lots of free games on the internet and I am certain they range from the utterly banal to the spectacular. You, or junior, must be the judge of that. Check out windows-games.com. Be careful, however. Anything available free on the internet may give you a lot more than you bargained for. Make certain you have virus protection and have completed backups of everything that is important to you. Keep a close watch to ensure the games junior is playing are suitable. There could be content you would prefer your child not to see.
