Unfortunately, for the 97 percent of computer users who don't have an Apple sitting on their desk, the entire package won't integrate with your PC - yet.

Apple's new online music resource is based on three core products: the iTunes Music Store, iTunes 4 software and the portable iPod media player. When used in conjunction, this combination of hardware, software and Web site is an all-inclusive solution for purchasing and listening to your favorite music online without breaking the law.

The process starts by visiting Apple's online music collection called iTunes Music Store. Here, you will find over 200,000 songs available for download, with new songs added each day. There are even iTunes exclusives where artists have agreed to offer some unique content to boost interest.

The iTunes Music Store interface is slick and simple. Finding a song or album is just a quick keyword search away, and many popular songs are listed on the opening page.

I did a search for one of my favorite bands, Veruca Salt. iTunes came back with 27 songs and 2 albums available for preview, download and purchase. This is far from a complete collection of their music but the popular stuff is there.

From here, I can preview every song with a 30 second clip before purchasing, download one song at a time for $0.99 each or download the entire album, including artwork, for $9.99.

Currently, this interface is some type of a cross between a Web site and custom software package. The store is accessed through an Internet connection and the new iTunes 4 upgrade from Apple. In other words, this part won't yet work on your PC.

But, if you are lucky enough to be using a Mac, you'll find that your song or album download integrates automatically with the software on your machine and once you begin the download process, the rest of the import process is done automatically and your songs show right up in iTunes.

The iTunes software that runs on your computer is the place to catalog and organize your music as well as the interface used to listen to music on your computer. In fact, other Macs can even access collections of music on other computers across a local network at your home or office.

Lastly, the iTunes software also acts as the interface for exporting music for listening while away from your computer. It makes it very simple to burn selected songs or albums to CD or DVD or an external player like Apple's iPod.

The iPod is Apple's latest audio player and this device can interface with non-Mac computers. So, here is a chance for some of you Windows users to get in on one of Apple's new products.

The iPod is a slick hardware device that fits in one hand and can be carried in your pocket. It weighs less than two compact discs but can still hold over 7500 songs. As Apple put it, "that's space enough to store three weeks of music - played continuously, 24/7 - or one new song a day for the next 20 years." Impressive.

The iPod also tracks your contacts, calendar and offers basic games and alarm clock functions. Plus, there are a host of add-on accessories that allow you to configure your device to fit your exact needs.

Apple does plan on rolling out a version of the complete iTunes service that will be accessible to Windows users within the next year. But, with the excitement from the Macintosh user community and the backing of major labels and artists, the iTunes Music Store, iTunes 4 software and the iPod are just getting started.