Simple as it is to navigate, the interface has so many elements, so many twists and turns, that it can be difficult to figure out the rules that govern Napster 2.0. (Unlike the first Napster, for which there were no rules.) Users will have plenty of options for purchasing music a la carte, previewing tracks, or joining as a premium member.

Napster members

Becoming a member simply means you've downloaded and installed the Napster application and signed up with a member name, password, and email account -- just like the old days. Here's what membership gets you.

• Shop online and purchase albums or individual tracks at 99 cents per track or $9.95 per album. This isn't much different from iTunes or Musicmatch.
  
  
• Search a catalog of more than 500,000 WMA tracks. We're impressed so far with the general selection and categorization of music.
  
  
• Check out what other users are streaming.
  
  
• Burn purchased music to CD, transfer an unlimited number of tracks to a portable device, and download to three computers (very much like iTunes or Musicmatch).
  
  
• Manage your music library and create playlists. Napster assumes you'll abandon your existing jukebox software for an all-inclusive experience. You can import your existing MP3s and WMAs to the new Napster.

Premium service

For about $10 a month you'll get extra features, including some elements of Musicmatch 8.1's RadioMX as well as pressplay's "renting" songs. Having these options makes sense -- and cents for the music industry.

• Download unlimited files to your computer and listen as long as your premium service remains active.
  
  
• Stream all tracks at any time.
  
  
• Stream preprogrammed Napster radio stations or customize your own.
  
  
• Participate in community features such as browsing other members' collections and meeting other Napster members on the message boards.
  
  
• Activate an inbox so you can receive track lists and notes from other users.