I don't think downloading hurts any artist.

It's always been my opinion that people who can afford to buy an album will buy it and people who cannot afford to, won't. Period.

The times I download songs is when I am recommended a band and want to check them out -- usually that will result in me buying the album anyway. I actually can't think of downloading anything that was commercially available and I didn't buy the cd afterwards. Unless, of course, if it was crap, in which case I won't even listen to it ever after.

It is also my opinion that the more people are able to hear an artists music the better .... probably turning people into fans (who will buy the album) more often than losing a sale.

As for iTunes, I can't do that. If I like even one song, I have to buy the album.