Prepare for the ipad

are you international?

 

Install iTunes, set up an iTunes Store account, browse around the store.

Buy any movies / songs etc. which you would like.
Buying apps could be a bit of a guess because no-one is exactly sure which apps will be released with special iPad versions (although there have been leaked lists).

 

no biggie tho, just sayin.

 

^Ok, that was unnecessary. Here I was thinking that you asking the OP if they were international actually had something to do with their question.

OP, you can avoid using a credit card on iTunes if you purchase iTunes gift cards. That's what I do to avoid spending more on iTunes than I mean to.

 

Like everyone stated above, migrate your contents to iTunes (music, movies, music videos, podcast, etc) start poking around at the apps store and Good-luck...

 

Because in the long run it is simpler to have a central hub. No way i could manage my 400gb+ library without a central hub. And yes you have to use itunes, however you don't need to make an account. However I strongly advice it

 

The iTunes database is the content management system Apple has designed to work with all its iProducts. It backs everything up on a computer, moves apps and playlists on and off your devices and holds your library of music, video, and books.