Welcome to Just Ask Matt! Today, La Rissa writes:

My first question, the iPods are said to be compatible with PC’s as
well as Macs. I’ve been told that you have to plug it into a PC first
in order for it to be compatible with PC’s and Macs. And if you try
to plug it into a PC later it will not recognize it and the iPod will
be reformatted (erased). Is this true?

I have purchased music online in the iTunes store and downloaded it
onto the rented laptop that I have right now. I’ve been told that I
can access this music from another computer. The music that I have
purchased has been downloaded onto a server, not the actual computer
that I am working on. Is this true?

So, I am in a dilema…….I really want to get an iPod, but I want to
be able to download the music that I have now on the rented Mac. As
well as, download music from my PC….Please help!

Yes, it would be best to let the PC see it first being Macs can see PC data and PCs cannot see Mac data. Also, you should be able to make the switch from Windows XP to OS X without having to reformat the iPod. Having said this, it will take noticably longer for iTunes to connect and do file transfers under OS X after the iPod was set up for Windows. (This applies to the actual iPod, not the Shuffle)

Also, the music is on the hard drive and according to Apple’s terms of service and can be downloaded only once. If you would like to transfer it to another PC, just follow the instructions here and here. Good luck to ya!

Do you have an IT-related question? Perhaps you are just burnt out on writing on the walls with crayons? Whatever the comments may be, drop me a line, and you too can “Just Ask Matt!”