When you load a CD into your computer's CD-ROM reader, it automatically loads iTunes and then, if it's set up with its default, will begin loading the audio files onto the hard disk drive. But what happens if you have downloaded an audio book file from an Internet site directly to your hard disk drive? There's an additional few steps because of the digital rights management (DRM) restrictions.

If the audio books you have downloaded are subject to DRM and you need to enter a password etc when you first use them, you need to open them initially on your hard disk and complete the signature process.

Next, burn the files to a CD-ROM using Windows Media Player (Windows operating systems come with Windows Media Player as a free add-on) or some other software program that will burn CD-ROMs. Leave the CD in your computer CD reader.

Open iTunes and on the left side of the screen you will see the title "Audio CD" under Devices. Look to the bottom right of the iTunes screen for a button that says "Import CD". Click that button and iTunes will begin to download the audio book files from your CD to your hard disk.

If the audio titles that are imported simply state Track 1, Track 2 etc, right click on them and select Get Info and then rename them to something you can better understand, for example, Wonderful_Ways_to_love_a_Granchild_ Part 1.

Make a new Playlist with the title something like "Audio Books" and drag the newly titled files into that playlist. Then, when you want to find them on your iPod, you will find it much easier.

Depending on whether you have your iTunes program set for Automatic or Manual Synchronisation, when you attach your iPod, iTunes will automatically begin copying the audio book files and Playlist title to your iPod. If it's not automatic, you will need to highlight the audio book files and select the Synchronise option.

Because audio book files can be huge, I tend to zip them and backup a copy to my external, portable hard disk drive which I use to store data instead of bogging down my laptop hard disk drive. If I need them again, I can quickly unzip and download or listen to them directly from the hard disk.

If you collect a lot of audio books and want to keep them, you need to get a storage device specially for them as they take up a lot of room and, let's face it, once you've paid for them you don't want to lose them.

This article should help you copy files from your hard disk drive to your iPod so you can enjoy them any time, anywhere ... one of the distinct advantages of audio books. I also like the fact that I can store them electronically and not in a bookshelf (no dusting or tidying up and little space!).

Happy listening.