DRM really has nothing to do with this situation.  I have used iPods and iTunes for years, and never once ran into a problem with DRM.  The issue here is the lack of making a backup of data.

How so?

Yes, buy the cd, at almost twice the price of the digital version.  You still have to take precautions with the cd, for example, putting it inside a plastic sleeve so that it doesn't scratch, keeping track of it, etc. 

Backing up your purchases is similar to taking care not to scratch the cd, both are necessary precautions, so that you don't lose your music.

This is also possible with iTunes.

No one is forcing anyone to buy through iTunes... there are other services online that allow you to purchase digital music, audiobooks, movies, etc. and they come in the normal windows format.  This allows someone to copy it to their iTunes, while still having a version that isn't iTunes dependent.

Heaven forbid someone thinks outside the box, right?

lol you suckers paying money for songs. Just go to [I Steal Music] All music is free. !!

Stop advocating theft. -ID

Frostwire is better.

so are the viruses.....free and easy to install

You always have one.