After a lot of hesitation, many arguments, and a few well-placed lawsuits, the music industry seems to finally understand that people want access to their music online, and that they might actually pay for the privilege if some way existed for them to do that.

This great online birthing brought many new music services into the world, including everything from a new, improved, and payment-oriented Napster to the impressive-looking Real One Rhapsody system from the Real Audio folks.

Not to be outdone, America Online introduced its own pay-for-play music system, integrated directly into the AOL service. AOL dubbed the service MusicNet (keyword MusicNet). Drawing from all corners of the music world, MusicNet puts a little over 400,000 songs at your beck and call. Like all of the services, MusicNet offers CD-quality sound for a great listening experience.

You sign up for this premium service separately from your regular AOL membership fee. Rather than leave you with just a couple of subscription options, MusicNet puts four tasty musical platters on the table, letting you pick and choose exactly what you want:

• The Basic subscription sets you back a paltry $3.95 per month, but it only gives you access to 20 songs a month.
• With the Standard level, the price goes up to $8.95 per month, but now you get to enjoy as many songs as you want, either online or by downloading them to your computer.
• The service's two top-priced options, Deluxe at $13.95 and Premium at $17.95, let you burn music onto CDs.

Like so many other subscriptions in the world, remember that MusicNet's goal involves hooking you into the service and getting you to pony up some money each month. The free limited-time offer automatically morphs into an $8.95 per month Standard level membership after the trial period ends. If you decide that you love MusicNet, then all's the better. However, if you tried MusicNet but you didn't love it, call AOL's famous Customer Service department at 866-278-6582 and cancel your subscription.