Stang: nope, just like you thought, you can use any program you like to grab your mp3s (i use soulseek, for example). i find, though, that iTunes is an excellent cd ripping/writing program, it's mostly easy to use, and it's never given me a bad burn once.
besides, iTunes makes you pay for your mp3s
btw, if you use soulseek, i usually have mine turned on: my username is 'sinryven', i gots the good stuff
