Considering an iPod

[UltraNurd]

Even though I have a laptop, I am considering getting the 10 GB iPod to store all of my CDs on. I have a couple of questions...

1) Do you have to keep a copy of your music on your hard drive to synchronize with? For me, the point of getting an iPod is to clear my music off of my already small 20 GB laptop drive. I just don't want to copy all of my music to the iPod, delete it from my HD, and then have the iPod automatically clear my music and playlists the next time I plug it in.

2) Speaking of plugging it in, are there any power/data transmission problems with plugging an iPod in farther down the Firewire bus? Specifically, I'd plug it through my external CD burner and then into my PBG4.

3) I've heard that the iPod's finish can scuff and scratch easily... is one of those protective glove thingies a good investment?

4) What exactly does the calendar support entail? How good is the GUI on the iPod itself? Can you store contact information?

It sounds like what I really want is an iPhone of some sort, a medium sized cell phone that also stores tons of mp3s and works as a PDA as well. Anyone know if such a thing is on the drawing board? :D

[mervTormel]

1) you can specify manual mode (http://www.apple.com/ipod/itunes.html) sync which isn't destructive at the ipod, but, if you choose to keep only the ipod versions, you have a backup dilemma that is tantamount to re-ripping your collection when trouble strikes, roger?

2) should not be power problems down the firewire chain

3) scuff marks give it character and make it truly yours. keep it in a burlap sack or an old pair of jockeys to make it less appealing to the larcenous

4) the interface is quite good, gets a lot of praise; as for PDS-ish-ness, yep. it's mentioned - http://www.apple.com/ipod/

what you really want is also attached to a vehicle of some sort with whitewalls, three-on-the-tree and tailfins, makes you edible meals, performs the occasional pedicure, and also does your taxes on time :D

[bassi]

In the iPod preferences you can manually manage all your music. If you load all your music on the iPod, delete the source of the library (all your music on your laptop) you can subsequently add new music files using the manual mode without the iPod deleting your collection. We need to be double checked on this, because I don't delete my source of music. If this is your major reason for buying it I don't want to lead you up the garden path.

I daisy chain my iPod through a firewire HD (with all my music) and sometimes a CD burner as well. No problems. I've read somewhere that there is a physical distance where firewire transmission can be diminished, I think it's 4.5 metres. Check google.

If you get the 10GB model the scuffs and scratches will not be a great problem. You get a carrying case (could be better) and a nice soft bag, which I use to tote my iPod around. I have a couple of scratches from an eager lady and her claw like nails. She probably had an iPod fetish. Watch out, anybody who gets to close will become weak at the knees and caress violently.

You can store contact info and calender info as well. It looks as good as it could considering the size of the screen. I use the contact stuff everyday, it's fine. I never use the calender.

iPhone?!?! Actually you mean iWalk. That's supposed to be coming out on Feb 29th 2003, according to my iPod calender.

:D

On a more serious note, I don't normally evangalise Apple products, they usually sell themselves. In this case, the iPod is an excellent buy. I use it to listen to my music, keep contacts, sync all my files from work and home etc. etc.


Merv slipped in there, looks like manual mode is the way to go. Good advice, burn your MP3's before deletion.