Hi Melody, Brian Hartgen has created scripts for iTunes; you can learn more about them at http://tandt-consultancy.com/itunesscripts.htmlYou can set iTunes to rip to MP3, but its default format is AAC. There are other programs for ripping CDs to MP3, such as CDEX.
If you want to discuss iTunes more, I would suggest joining the Blind iPod mailing list (which is about all portable MP3 players, not just iPods) at
//www.freelists.org/list/blindipod Cheers, Anna