Send your WebWorld queries to pcollins@irishtimes.com or by post to Padraig Collins, The Irish Times New Media, 4th Floor, Ballast House, Aston Quay, Dublin 2

I have heard that it is possible to record CDs on to your hard drive. Is this possible and how is it done? Rory Tierney, via e-mail

It is not only possible, but relatively easy with any modern multimedia computer. There are a few different ways to approach this, but by far the easiest is through using something called RealJukebox. You can download this from www.real.com. Don't mind the RealJukebox Plus option, which costs $30; the basic version is free and should be all you need. While you are there download RealPlayer 8 - and again get the basic version free.

RealJukebox allows you rip tracks from your CDs as wav files, which are then converted by most people as MP3 files on their computer's hard drive. Once you have chosen which CD or which songs you want to record to your hard drive, it is just a case of following the instructions from RealJukebox. Whether you play these as wav or MP3 files is down to what is most suitable for you and your computer.

If your computer has a CD recorder you can also make up your own CDs from the tracks you have recorded to the hard drive. It is also possible to greatly add to your music collection by downloading tracks from sites such as the controversial Napster (www.napster.com).

The legality of doing this has been disputed regularly in Californian courts, but, if you were thinking about trying it, now is the time to do so, before it becomes a charged service. Despite constant claims to the contrary, the quality is not the same as a CD. However, it has improved a lot and if you have an ISDN line to aid the download, the difference is small to all but the most ardent audiophiles.

Another relevant innovation is the service provided by my.mp3.com which allows you to put your CDs online. The legality of this is dubious in that it doesn't actually upload your CDs. Instead its server reads identifying information from your CD and stores it in your profile. If they already have that music stored on their server, and they have albums by thousands of bands, then you can play it from any web browser. So you don't even have to be in your own house to listen to your CDs through a computer.

There is nothing to stop anyone from telling friends their username and password, thus allowing them access to all their stored albums too. Nor is there any way that MP3 can know if the CD you are seeking to have stored is yours or borrowed. Whether this counts as breach of copyright or not is currently exercising the minds of all the major record companies.