How to Download DRM-Free MP3s Using the Ubuntu One Music Store

Ubuntu One is the biggest step ever taken to make a Linux distribution mainstream. Touted as an iTunes equivalent, Ubuntu One is a music store that sells cheap, DRM-free MP3 music files to anyone with an Ubuntu One account. In addition, Ubuntu One also offers users a Dropbox-esque 2GB of storage space, allowing users to sync their files between multiple computers in the cloud.

Downloading music in the Ubuntu One store is easy once you become acquainted with Ubuntu's social interface, and requires either a debit or credit card.

Step 1

Create an Ubuntu One account if you haven't already. Click your username on Ubuntu's desktop menu and choose "Ubuntu One" from the list. Select "Create Account" in the window that appears. You will prompted to enter your email address (make sure it is valid) and to create a password. When you click "OK", you will be sent a verification code via email. Copy that code and paste it into the verification window.

Step 2

Open Rhythmbox, Ubuntu's default music player. Click "Ubuntu One" inside the left-hand menu. The Ubuntu One Music Store will open automatically in a similar fashion as iTunes. Search for an artist, album or song and select the "Download" button. You will be brought to a purchase page where you can view your queued purchases and either proceed to checkout or continue shopping.

When ready to purchase the music, click "Checkout". You will be prompted to enter your payment information; the information you enter will be saved for future purchases. Once your billing information is entered, the song will automatically download to your "Music" folder, and a backup copy will be added to your Ubuntu One storage account.

Accessing Backup Music Copies

If your hard drive becomes damaged or otherwise inaccessible, you can access your backup music copies via your Ubuntu One storage account from any computer, whether it is installed with Ubuntu, a different Linux distribution, Microsoft Windows or Apple Mac OS X.

Open your Internet browser. Enter "one.ubuntu.com" into the URL field and press "Enter" on your keyboard. Click the login link and enter your Ubuntu One credentials. You will be presented with a list of your articles, as well as any folders uploaded to the account. Click "Music" to see your backup music copies. Right-click on a link and choose "Save" to download the MP3.