Hi sunsplashinwaves, iTunes is a free download from Apple and there is a Windows version. It's very easy to use and will convert file formats with just a click.

iPods can be had for cheap on Apple's refurbished iPods link and they are guaranteed. I got a refurb 4gb Nano that holds 1,000 songs for $140. It's perfect for me, I just keep a few different music files/albums and rotate them by the 1,000 songs every once in awhile. My car stereo is hard-wired to play and charge it and I love it, I just pop it out and it's good to go on the move.

Here's a neat trick, I often take my laptop to the library and load CDs right there. They automatically dump into iTunes and I'm good to go.

To convert protected AAC files to unprotected, just burn them onto a CD and reload it, taa-daa, no longer protected.