New to everything Apple, itunes and terminology.

Question

I just purchased an iphone and have been downloading free and paid apps galore. How did I ever live without this
I will be purchasing my two nieces, who still live at home, their own ipod touch for Christmas and have a few questions if someone would be kind enough to help.
Questions…
Can both gals download the same song onto their separate ipods from the same itunes account? They already have a shared itunes account that they would purchase from and would convert and download to their own generic mp3 players.
Can they access my itunes account on their computer to download my apps and their own itunes account to download music?
How /can they connect to the internet/email? Can they use AIM? Do they have to purchase an internet package like I did for my iphone?
Thanks

Answer 1

1) Here's how the account system works (I have two cousins, and we have it worked out). If they both sync their iPods to the SAME computer and purchase using the SAME account on iTunes, both iPods will be identical. If one would like to purchase a song through the iTunes Wi-Fi store, they need to make sure the other doesn't buy it as well, or you will have paid twice for the same song. If the other would like to have a song purchased through the Wi-Fi store, the original purchaser needs to sync back to the computer and have the other sync (this allows the music to move from originating iPod to the library, and back onto the second iPod).
If they do not sync from the same library, you will have an issue, because iPods can only be linked to ONE library. In order for the previously mentioned scenario to work out, the purchaser needs to burn a CD and have the other transfer it into her library.
2) They CAN access your account if you give them the username and password, but, like music, anything purchased, even FREE items (yes, I said it, FREE apps), can not be purchased again. Currently, I don't know of any way applications can transfer from one library to another, but your nieces would certainly be able to purchase the free apps. (The reason for this is all about DRM Sharing).
3) The internet on the iPod Touch works just like a laptop, it requires an access point. Access points are usually pretty easy to obtain at any house, as most have wireless internet, but it becomes difficult to get internet elsewhere. Starbucks offers internet, but you have to pay T-Mobile for it. McDonalds also offers an internet service that requires payment as well. Most hotels offer free internet, as well as local coffee shops. When they come within these locations, all they need to do is open up their Wi-Fi settings, and select the internet they would like to use.
The AIM application is free, and a very good application. As stated above, you can use a web based application that can access more than just AIM. If they want to just use AIM, I would suggest the first purchase be AIM.
No internet package is required to purchase. Just a simple wireless hotspot that is accessible.